The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-04-24
RAILROADS ARD TIE PEOPLE.

The following communication tells but
too truthful!y the ways in which the peo-
pie are deceived and swindled by those
who ought to be their protectors and
friends:
Editor EUentng Wisconsin,
The Illinois farmers seem to be in
earnest about putting down monopolies,
but they have a hard job on hand. The
railroads really control. and in many dis
tEiots elect our delegates to our legisla-
lures, and any amount of money to effect
it is at easy command. A small addition
to tariff rates furnishes all that is needed.
The people have built most of the roads
il our country. certainly so in the west,
at a cost of SIG. 600 to $1,000 a mile,
either by individual subscri ptions, land
mortgages. municipal or legislative APP
preparations, and should own the roads,
but these claims arc all wiped out by
mortgages, probao oly made for that very
| purpose. The roads are watered up by
stocks dividends or by direct issue OF
! stock to favored parties at cost to $40,
| 600 or $40, 900 per mile, and the people
are made to pay tariff rates TO make up
! dividends on this inflated stock. We can
| see how our railroad managers become
| suddealy rich, living in prlnceiy style
| furnishing special trains for friends and
! influential parties, but grinding the peo-
| pie who built the roads to pay for it.
! lt is doubtful whether we have legisla~
| ture west of New England not controlled
| by them; Illinois and New Jersey may
| be xceptIons-another winter session
| may decide it. Nor do our courts afford
/ any protection. Our judges are men and
/ subject TO the same caprice, or prejudice,
| or monied influence as other men. They
| affirm or annul our legislative ~acts
/ What resFects can we have for our courts
when we see Secretary Chase urging the
passage of the legal tender act, and Judge
| Chase, the next Governor. judicIously
/ declaring 1T unconstitutional and void.
Judge Miller was right in his decision in
| the matter of our 5000, 600 bonds. No
/ principle In law is better settled than
| that obligations given for a specific pur-
/ pose must be applied TO that purpose.
and If not so applied, are void, and the
| purchaser must see that they are right
! fully applied or take his risk. But con-
| fidence in our courts Is gone. They are
governed by round of useless technical
rules; what was law yesterday may not
be 10 day. and all is SO uncertain that all
sensible people keep Out vi IL, ana Outy
fools-as Mr.. Noonan says-go to law
for Justice. when there is no limit to legal
| fees but the ability of the client to pay.
Nor is Congress any better than our
| State Legisla ature or courts. When there
arc 40 more Alaska treaties to radiy
with It's 81, 000 retaining fee to offer
ne more land grants to railroads, backed
by distribution of stocks or greenbacks-
or Credit Mobilier stock to offer, grab
must be made upon the Treasury to
satisfy the greed an act of dishonesty
without precedent in history. but what
we might expect from men who dare not
| expel or ceBsure brother for bribery.
Can we draw but one inference from this,
that there were too many in the same
boat TO make it safe? And what may an-
Ii monopolists expect from such a Con
gress? w.