The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1873-05-03
treatment as mail matter they are to be
regarded by postmasters the same as
sealed letters, are not as printed.
The Farmers Movement Against
Railway Oppression.

Having for some years foresoen that
the next phase of popular aud political
agitation would turn upon admiuistra-
tive and economic questions, we are not
unprepnred to consider these intricate
subjects, nor does the Republican party
shrink from the assumption of the re-
spouslbility to aid in their solution.
The agitation Of the question Of cheap
railway tolls, which has been carried on
in Illinois and the adjoining States, cul-
minated in the holding of regular
States convention at Springfield, Ill. in
which the farmers were represented by
upwards of three hundred regularly
chosen and accredited delegates; and
thus the movement has assumed mag
nitulc that challenges the attention of
the entire country.
We regret to observe that it is class
movement; for we would have greatly
preferred if our citizens generally with
out distinction of occupation or political
profession, who are injuriously affected
by the extaortionato demands on the part
of railways for toll aud FIRE had united
to devise proper remedies.
There is always danger that class
movement will be selfinterostei, partial
and prejudiced and that it will arouse
the jealousy of other interests. The
farmers are, moreover, likely to be temp
ted by political dcmagogucs to incorpor-
ate in their platform resolutions of a
purely political nature, SO that few of
'h"m nn.y Ia inrAialed into nnw marty
relations. Should they yield to these
inSidious suggestions the railroads will
not be slow to take advantage of this
mistake 70 divert the current of public
opinion by the substitution of questions
that are but remotely connected with the
roint OF issue. Thus Gar the farmers
have pursued a judicious course; and the
resolutions Leisting TO the increase of
salaries and the tariff which were alop.
Ted by the convention on the first day.
we're very properly reconsidcrel on the
secoui aud laid upon the table upou the
ground o. irrcv, ianoy
Annexed arc the resolutions, which
fully st forth The natuse Of the com
plants of the producing classes of the
Western States;
"First. That all chartered monnpolies
not regulated and controlled ay law have
proven in this respect detrimental to
pnb!lc prosperity, corruptiug in their
management and dangorous to republi-
can Institutions.
second. The railways of the world
except III thuSe countries whoro they
have been held under strict regulations
and supervision Of government, have
proved themselves as full Of arbitrary
extortion, aud opposed to free insti,u.
uons and free commerce between the
States, as the leudAl barons of The mid.
die sges.
Third. That we hold, declare, aud
resolve that this despotism which defes
our laws, plumber" our shippers, impov-
ershes our people, aud corrupt our
Government shall be subuded and made
TO snbservc public interests at whatever
| cost.
"RcSoice|, That We believe the State
did not, and could not confer any Of its
sovereign power upon any corporation
and that now is the most favorable time
to settle the question, 50 that it may
never be hereafter misunderstood that n
Stat, cannot create corporation that il
| cannot thereafter control
"Rcsoiccd, That, in view of the pre-.
! sent cXtortions, we look with alarm upon
! the future of an interest which can com
! bIc, in the hands of lcw men. "A capi
tai of uearly S25O,000, 900 in our owl
State, and $4,000, 900 900 in our Union
and we believe it essential to the pros
pcriiy Of al! classes that this contest
continue until those corporations acknow
ledge the supremacy of the law,
"Rcsolred, That we urge the rassag,
of bill enforcing the principle tha
railroads arc public highways, aud re
quiring railroads to make actual COZ
ncetions with all roads whose track,
reach and cro2s their own, and t. re