The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-12-05
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FRIDAY \. DECEMBEE s, 1873.
hEGEshAT1vE REGULATION WANTED.
we are told that during the past
three months OF since the shipment
ofthe grain otthe past harvest began
the Oregon and California r. r.
Company has realized monthly
porit Of over one hundred aud fifty
thousand dollars from freights alone.
Extravagant as this statement may APP
pearto the uninitiated, there can be
very little doubt that even a profit in
excess OF these figures would more
nearly approximate the facts in the
case. Our river having been abso-
lutely useless as meaus oftransporta-
tioniduling the autumn months, has
afforded the railroad monopoly Of
the immense grain shipments from
our valley, and that the Railroad
Company has ayaised itself of the for
tunate opportunity is only what could
have been expected; but that they
have kept the freights up to their ex-
orbitant schedule is a fact which calls
for the serious attention Of the people,
that some measures may be taken to
prevent 4 continuance of their exac-
tions and oppressive charges Moth
ing will prevent this but wholesome
legislation, and to this end we most
earnestly urge upon the people the
election Of Legislators next June who
will pledge themselves to regulate
transportation tariffs within the
bounds Of reason and justice.
Although encouragement to tho
farmer and stock producer is the first
duty Of legislation in republic whose
domain consist for the most part Of
farm lands and pastures that repre-
sent untold millions Of latent wealth,
yet, the past has demonstrated that
at least for long time 10 come moth
ing can beexpected from our National
Congress, either in the way of appro-
priations to clear our rivers OF legis-
lation to restrict excessive railroad
tariffs. So, as it is, the farmer stands
with hands trammeed and energies
paralyzed in the presence of Difficult.
ties and drawbacks that are unnatural,
unnecessary and unjust. The profits
fairly due to the producers Of the
West are crammed into the pockets
Of the railroad monopolists, who, pet
ted and gorged with Legislative ta-
vors, seem to imagine that extortion
is the only purpose for which their
franchises have been accorded.
It would be well If the whole sys-
tenn Of railroad government could be
removed out OF the sphere Of specula.
ton and exclusively devoted to the
services Of the public. But if such
ccnsummation is impossible, it is at
least quite within the limits Of legisla'
tion to bring about reasonable stand
ard Of transportation rates This is
due TO the farmer as an individual,
and to communities as consumers Of
Western produce, and to the country
which would be immensely
benefited by the thorough develop
ment Of the natural resources of the
West. Such development is impos.
siblc while frelghts remain as high as
to render the producers toll unremu-
uerative, and 10 create the impres.
sion that q deadly antagonism, instead
ofsympathy and cooperative seuti-
nent, exists in the relations between
railroad companies and the farmers
and stock raisers of the West
The people of Oregon have the
'emedy in their own hands for this
transportation eyil--let them apply it.