Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-05-23
The Question of Cheap Transportation.


THE National American Cheap Trans
portation Convention, at its recent session
in New York City, adopted the following
resolutions:
WHEREAS. The productive industries OF the
United States, plantation and farm, mine and fac
tory, commercial and mercantile, are not only the
sources of all our national and individual wealth,
but also the elements on which our very national
and individual existence depends; and
WHEREAS, All national products are the fruits of
labor and capita and as neither labor nor capital
will continue actively employed without an equiya-
lent measurably just; and
WHEREAS, Great national industries are only sus-
tanned and prospered by the interchange Of pro,
ducts of one section Of the country for those Of
another; and
WHEREAS, The existing rates of transportation,
for the varied products of the Union from one part
Of the country to another and TO foreign countries,
as well as the transit cost of the commodities
quired in exchange, are in many instances injuri-
GUS and to certain interests absolutely destructive,
arising, in part at least, from an tnsuticiency OF
avenues; and
WHEREAS, The great natural want of the nation
to-day is relief from the present rates of transit
upon American products; therefore,
Res0iged That IL il the duty of the hour and the
| mission Of this Association, 10 obtain from Con-
gress and the different State Legislatures such leg
islaion may be necessary to control and limit by
law, within the proper constitutional and legiu-
mate limits the rates and charges OF existing lines
of transportation; 10 increase, where practicable,
the capacity of present water ways, and TO add
such new avenues, both water and rail, as our i'm
mensely increasing internal commerce demands, so
that the producer may be Justly rewarded for his
honest toll. the consumer have cheap products, and
our almost mitless surplus find foreign markets at
rates to compete with the world.
ReSot0ed, That cheap transportation. both ofper-
| sons and property, being most conducive TO the
free movement Of the people and the widestl inter-
change and consumption of the products Of the
different parts of the Union, is essential to the wei
| fare and prosperity of the country,
| ResOtDed, That constant and frequent association
Of inhabitants Of remote parts OF the United States
u Ia NJ faVNINF IA mf in
| tenance Of a homogeneous and harmonious popu'
| lauOn within the vast area of our territory.
Rssot0ed. That the best interests of the different
| parts of the country also demand the freest posi-
| BILE interchange OF the industrial products OF the
varied climates and industries Of the United States
70 that breadstufs, textile fabrics, coal, lumber
| iron sugar, and various other products, local IN
their production, but general in their consumption.
may all reach the consumer at the least practicable
cost Of transportation, and that an arbitrary and
unnecessary tax levied by the transporter over and
! above fair remuneration for investment If bur
den upon the producer and consumer that II Is the
| part OF wise statesmanship to remove.
| Res0lUed, That certain leading railroad corpora
| lions Of the country although chartered 10 sub
| serve the public welfare and endowed with the
| right of eminent domain solely FOR that purpose
| have proved themselves practically monopolies
| and become the tools Of avaricious and upEerupu
| capitalists, TO be used TO punder the public, en-
/ rich themselves, and impOyerish the country
| through which they run.
| Res0lged, That many Of the railroad corporations
have not only disregarded the public convenience
our Legislatures, and defed our Executive and
Judges, and stand to-day most menacing danger
| TO American liberty and 10 republican government
/ ResOfged, That the present system OF railway
management, having failed To meet the Just eX
peeiations aud demands of long suffering people
| must be radically reformed and controlled by The
strong hand OF law, both State and National, and
the railway corporations compelled TO perform theil
proper functions as servants and not as masters Of
| the people. ra
Res0iped, That 70 this epd we invoke the aid a
all far-minded men In all States Of the Union IN
| excluding from the hallsOf leg gisaton, from onl
executive offices aud from the bench all sneh rail-
/ way officials, railway attorneys, or other hire
lngs whe prostitute pnblic Office TO the base uses
| Of private gain. t. ID a..
ResoiUed, That leaving the different sections and
interests that desire cheap transportation to work
out the problem In such manner as they may deem
best, we earnestly invoke their careful cOnsidera
| ton, their energetic action, and their resOlute will
| In regulating and controlling rates of transpOrta
| ton and In giving remunerativc wages To the pro
| ducer and cheap products 20 the consumer untaxed
| BY unearned charges for their carriage.
ReS0lved, That we invite the people Of the van
States TO organize subsidiary associations, State
county and town, 10 cooperate with the Nationa
\ Association; that the power TO accomplish the pur
| poses desired rests absolutely with the suffering
! millions. Relief Is within their reach and control
United action and the near future will give, as Ger
tain as Il Is needed, for all time and the good OF an
| the true solution OF the problem OF cheap trans
! fS@F--S lsHt- a.. rlI.