Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-09-04
MnLERsBURG, HOLMES COUNTY, THURSDAY, 1873.

Ders put themselves S0lluiy aS2lns
it.
But it might happen that Congress
would fail in this duty under influence
such as have been known heretofor
sometimes to affect Congressman, wha
then? In such cases undoubtedly tn
State Legislatures which granted tn
charters. would have power to provid
a remedy. 1t is certainly matte
within the providence of the people t.
elect such members of the State Legis
lature and of Congress, as can be trust.
ed to do their whole duty, and with in.
telligence enough to know what tha
duty is. If the people themselves art
careless or Indifferent as to the charac.
ter of those they elect to represent them
they have no right to complain.
One cause of dissatisfaction has been
| the lack of uniformity in the rates ol
transportation. Many railroads are ac-
customed to transport passengers and
freight for long distances, between their
termini, at a much less rate per mile
than is charged for intermediate points
The reason is obvious. Between the
distant points there is generally in
such cases competition, and, consequent
cutting of rates to secure business. The
rivalry is often so great as to leave no
margin for profits, over and above rum
ming expenses. In order therefore to
secure dividends for the stockholders,
the loss is to be made up by exclusive
charges for shorter distances, and be-
tween points where there are no COM
peting lines. This evil ought to be
remedied.
But in my judgement there is great
er wrong than this. 1 mean the little
Credit Mobilier organizations, inside the
railroad corporations, composed Who'll
ly or for the most part of the officers of
the company, who, under the name of
Fast Freight lines, or other designation,
contract with themselves, realize enorm-
GUS profits, and enrich themselves at
the expense of the stockholders or the
public, or both. Such organizations
ought, if possible, to be prohibited by
law, and the officers of railroad compan-
les should be prevented from speculat-
ing out of the trust positions they oc-
cupy at the expenses of the people who
are at their mercy.
Among the ways proposed to secure
cheap transportation, is the opening up
of the great national highways-the riv-
ers and lakes. These being improved
and connected, where necessary, by
canals. The improvement of the Ohio
and its tributaries is certainly worthy Of
our efforts. Whether grand canal, or
system of water communication, reach
ing to the ocean, would bring us4n Ohio
return equal to the cost, has yet to be
demonstrated.
There should be no indiscriminate
and wild crusade against railroads. They
should be encouraged, and allowed fair
compensation for the capital invested
and the risks encountered. They have
been, and will continue to be, of incal-
culable benefit to our people. They
should simply not be permitted to
abuse their privileges, or to oppose those
they were intended to assist. What
would the great State Of Ohio have been
to-day without the introduction of rail-
roads? We want more, and must have
them. We are anxiously waiting for
the completion of that grand enterprise.
the Cincinnati-Southern Railroad, which
is to open up for our farmers, mechanics
and merchants the ready markets of the
South, now completely cut off from us.
The produts OF our coal fields and iron
mountains must be brought nearer to
purchasers anxious to buy. Our rapid
ly increasing and swift growing towns
and cities must be put in easy commu-
nication with the trade centers. The
farmers in the agricultural districts
must be able to reach with their pro-
duce the mechanics in the towns. As
the cities grow the country thrives.
The most reliable of all markets is the
home market, and it will not be long
before the Ohio farmer can sell all he
raises, at fair and remunerative prices
within the limit of his own State. We
already import wheat from home con-
sumption. Soon we shall want corn
and other articles of food. Not many
hence, the question with us will be, moi
where shall the farmers find a
market, and how he shall get there al
cheap rates of transportation, but how
shall we1ncrease production to supply
the local demand? The science of agri.
eu&turc will be studied and practiced
until the earth shall yield her bountie'
fourfold to the thrifty, intelligent,pros-
porous and happy labOrers in the fields
There is no war between the farmer ant
mechanic; there ought to be no conflict
between capital and labor. Each SHOULD
help the other, that all might prosper to-
gether.
| FARMERS CLUBS
Politicians have looked with more o.
less concern upon the organization o
farmers clubs in the Western States
lest by some possibility they may here
after be used for or against some aspir
ing statesman. L am free to say 1 cal
see no reason why such association
should not be formed. We have lega
and medical, ministerial and trade as
sociations, and why not farmers a
well? have confidence that the agri
culturists are as sensible as other peo
pie, and do not believe they can b
used by designing men for persona
ends, or for any purpose other than TO
their own and the public good. Worth,
and reputable public men need not fea