The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-12-12
National System of Railroads.

see that you take lively interest in .
the welfare Of the producing classes of
the country. I am one Of that class, and .
would like TO make "A few suggestions for .
my brother producers to ponder over.
The producers Of our country think that .
they have but two rights, and they
know them well because they have been
taught them from their earliest recol-
lection. These rights are to be taxed
and squeezed, for what the tax-col-
lector fails to get the monopOlists are sure
to squeeze out of them. We have borne
these things and considered them our
only rights, till, like the camel, humps ,
have grown on our backs so the saddle .
just fits Us.
/ have talked to the producer and told I
him that he had other rights besides be- /
ing taxed, but they might not be rs
sacred, as they had not been consecrated
by usage and custom, and among these
was the right Of the Government to as
sist us to get our products to a remuner-
ative market, thereby enabling US to
perform those duties which are the chief
end and aim of our existence.
] would suggest first, that the Govern
ment build and own three double track
railroads, and put and keep them in re-
pair; and il YOU please, use them for mill
itary purposes. On these railroads /
would give any class OF producers the
right to place their cars and other roll
ling stock, and carry their surplus pro-
ducts TO market. I would have one of
these railroads between Seattle and
New York: the second to connect San
Francisco with Baltimore, and the third
San Diego with Savannah, Georgia.
Then let lateral railroads be con-
structed TO connect with these three
great main trunks, and we shall have
facilities for transporting safely aud
cheaply all the surplus products Of the
country, and at the same time carry mill
itary stores wherever they may be re-
quired.
With acomprehensives system Of trans
portation like this, the producing classes
would be able to rise above a state Of
eternal drudgery, and get fair rewards
for their labor. Then the farmers would
be able to provide themselves with COM
Portable homes, and draw around them
the Conveniences and luxuries that are
now confined almost exclusively to capi-
talists and middlemen. The farmer
also, would be able 10 20 and see the old
folks at home without mortgaging his
farm to get the money to travel, and
have the sheriff to sell him out in the
end TO pay the principal and interest.
No longer would the stock raiser fail
=
locks at $50 O head, when he could take
them to New York for $40 each, and rea-
lie at the rate OF $50 a head. Under
the proposed system Of transportation,
wheat would never command less than
81 per bushel, and imported articles cost
from % to 100 per cent. less than al
present, so that one-half the labor we
now perform would give US more of the
luxuries of life.
Some persons may object that thi:
plan would be unfair for the capitalist
All have to say By way Of reply is
that all the capitalists have got came
from labor, and the labor of the country
is restless and impatient under thu
squeezing process.
Again, strict cOnstructionists may
doubt the right Of Congress to cOnstruc
the proposed railroads. For the enlight
eminent of these old fogics, | refer 10 tht
Wheeling and indianapolis McAda
mized road, 10 the Marysville road il
Kentucky, as also to the right OF Con
gress to make military roads, as pro
Vlded Tor by the Constitution of thu
Duited states. ] know that this systen
OF transportation will take away tn,
profits OF thousands who are now grow
ing rich of the labor Of the country. IN,
class that live in splendid mansions
fare sumptuously every day; have al
that the appetite can desire: their mis-
tresses clad in the richest habiIinenfs
and all this array of luxury at the az
pense Of producing classes. But evsn a
this sacrifice 10 the pampered sons n
luxury, am prepared to advocate IN
reform suggested lFdllG Valid Stoies
man.