, 1873-02-17


tho vicsimizor has much moro to account for
than they. II his coadjutor, Mr. Alley, still do.
Riros to erect that monument commemorative OF
the public services OF the 9hovol-makor, he
should begin by proving that he did not got any
portion Of tho $500, 900 unaccounted for.
-
THE THREE GENT WAR.
A number Of persona, at various stations along
tho line Of tho Illinois Central Railroad, are pro-
foased1y seeking to "onforco the law" by get
ting aboard tho trains In largo bodies, and pay
Ing co the conductors faro Ut tho ratio OF thzoo
cents per milo. They do this at an unnecessary
c1penso to themselves. In order to "onforce
the law" they get up parties strong enough to
oVorpower tho train employees, and, boarding tho
trains, royol in tho satisfaction Of paying what
they denominato legal fare. It Is possible these
woll-moaning pooplo, In addition to taking this
extraordinary expense for tho sake Of vindi-
eating the law, aro, in fact, mistaken, and TINT,
instead Of being champions Of tho Law, they
arc Violators OF it. The State Of ILL.,
nois, in 1851, made, contract with
tho Illinois Central Railroad Company
by which. in consideration Of tho payment by
said Company into tho State TREASURY Of 2 per
cent Of Its gross rocoipts, the Company sas OK
proaa1y authorized to prescribe and fix ita own
rates Of farea aud tolls. Tho Legislature Of 1860
authorized the Railroad Commissioners to olaa-
sify tho railroads Of tho State, aud establiahed
maximum ratio Of passenger faro for each class
Of roads. Under this classification, tue rate Of
faro On the Illinois Central Railroad is 8 contg 4
milo. Apasaenger tendered to The Railroad
Company fare in conformity With the statute,
and, being refused transportation, brought suit
the oase waa determined, after long and care
ful dellberation, by Judge Wood, Of tho Kanka-
koo Circuit, he deciding that the Legislature Of
1851 had the power to mako tho contract, and
the Logislaturo Of 1869, nor any subsequent
Legislature or Constitutional Convention had
any power to change or alter that contract.
The patriotic oitizops along tho limo arc fully
aware that this decision has been made by tho
Circuit Court, and that, until that decision ia
oyor1uled, the legislation ct 1869 and all 9th er
legfalation prescribing the rateR Of faro to bo
charged by this Railroad Company must bo held
invalid Nevertheless, they rush to the trains,
and ride up aud down tho road day after day
under tho Impression that they are upholding
the majesty Of the LAW by paying only 8 centa
por milo.
The Railroad Company, perhaps, by way Of
hur1esquing the three cent raid, has announced
Its readiness to TRANSPORT any excursion party ut
tho ratio Of two and sevon-tenths oents por milo
"a tri1e less than tho raiders pay. Hence,
there is not village along tho whole line Of the
road, which cannot have its entire population
transported along the road for long or short
distance at the rate OF eents and Z mills per
passenger per milo. But tho good people along
the rnad, from CITY, town, and Village, put them
selves to great Inconvenience, and, rushing to
the trains in great numbers at every station,
e1nlHngly vindicate the law, and triumph over
the Railroad Company BY paying 30 conts, 9a,
and $50 for transportation, whom tho Company
would gladly and ohoerfully accept AZ cent?,
*2.7o, and s27. These good people, therefore,
arc not only adding largely to the revenues OF
tho Railroad Company, butaro paying IL per cent
more than necessary, aince party urge enough
to oyorpowor the train men Ia usually large
enough to mike an excursion party. They have
the added satisfaction OF knowing that out Of
ovory dollar they spend on tho road cents 60
into the State Treasury. 81,
Nevertheless, It may DO doubted whether
there is not more harm done in the long run by
these apaamodio raids in behalf Of Justice than
would result from tho slower progress Of tho
Courts. Tho validity Of this railroad legislation
is now before tho Supreme Court of Illinois,
upon appea1a from Circuit Courts. It is ques-
ton which has boon and ia occupying tho atten-
tion Of the lawful tribunals in many Of tho other
states. Our national peace and prosperity, aa
compared with tho anarchy Of the other
republics, hare been duo to tho "uni-
yersal respect shown by the people for
tho law, and for their endurance even OF great
hardships xathar than to resort to violence to
accomplish what they seek. Justice may at
tmes bo allow, hut if loft frao ia alwaya certain.
The right and tho wrong Of this railroad logisla-
ton MO not to be determined by town meetings,
nor mob strugglos with railroad conductors.
When tho decision comes 1t must be obcyed, and
no ono can claim obodiouco to such judgment
who, in advance Of it, bus attempted to settle
tho question bY violence.
IMPORTS AND STATE TAXATION.
There is 3 class Of persons In this country