, 1873-04-25

M1Eros, CuleH Co.. Ill.,, April 10, 1873.
To The Editor Of The Chicago Tribune:
SIN: SAW somewhat lengthy article In your
weakly Of the 10th inst, headed Tho Railroad
Question from tho Railroad Point Of Vlow." 1
do not propose to nnswor or critcise TINT article,
as, I nm q young farmer, and took my sohoonng
at tho plow-hand1e and in the barn and food
lot but would simply bog hcaring on one or
two points: First, discrimination"
Tho article aayA it is very uufair to charge tho
nun TINT ridoa twice day a8 much as tho NAH
that rides ouce year. Now, I hold thee all mott
(as Joiforson saye) are croatcd equal and NTH
certain inalionab1o rights, and II mans bnsi-
ness loads him on tic ears twico day, he must
have profitable busiuose, or he would not do
business in that way. And, as for tho
man that riaea onco In great whi'o,
/ am ho. I can toll you nll about him.
In the frat place, he has married wifo. and has
bought farm Of tho railroad company, and
agreed to pay $50 per acre and interest at 10 por
cont, Ho goes to work, and koop9 at it almost
night and day. II he wants to buy any necos-
Baries, ho must go Ill the way to Mattoon, 8
miles distant, or buy as homo {Alil.on), md pay
30 per cent moro. Why because it costs about
$40 per cnr to ruin 1t up to Milton. And u costs
from $40 to S15 moro por car from from Chicago
to Milton than to Mattoon, some miloa south
and it costs us 15 conts to go to Mattoon on tho
cars, Now, you SOC, tho man tlnt wants to koop
l,is head above water and pay for lila land cam
not atford to indulge in such luxurles aa buying
1t il also said That 1t won't do not to "djscrtm-
inato in freight at competing points, Perhaps
not, but it really sooms to me that the Illinois
Central nailrond would get moro freight and
10 provo this, NO will ta3so Mattoon I'D d snmpse,
whore tho Torre Hanto, Alton d Ut. Louis Rail-
sl tho oorn mhoat ar,san and ht9gs tcro h9ys rye
Is I'm miles % in al directions from Mattoon Thero
J aro hundreds OF bushels OF corn thnt go to Mat'
toon that havo boon hauled right past two rail
| road stations OH tho Illinois Central l'ailroad.
And say, and can prove, that thoro nro hnntlreas
Of thousands Of bushels OF corn that SO East
| from Mattoon, that would 80 direct from Milton
| and Arcoln to Chicago Il they could oven got
within cents per bushol tho market prlco III
ntattoou. Honce you SEQ that 1t thoro 10 not .
change nomo way soon, tho railroad will wipe out
producers Of cattle, hogs, and corn,-for they
never can raise corn ut IL to 20 contB and nove1
will submit, without struggle, to giye 20 cent?
per bushol to. any oorporation to deliver thel.
corn at New York. Tint ia just what 1t costs ut
| Next, tho article says tint, 1.-THE Threatened
urbau towna." Now, know worry we'll TINT thai
| statement In q grand mistake, and 10 docs the
man that wrote +. Every man that 1iycg in the
country knows that to be ontiroly - too thiy."
But thero is one moro itenll wish to speak Of
TINT Is: " For aatoniBhiugy few, il any, Of tho
doolatmora against Inonopolioa eVor put a dollar
il any ralroa1 in illinois," Now, that la the
biggest thing il TUG shape Of an uatrSth I oyo.
| farmer III every thrco TINT has not paid dolurB
-you hundreds Of do!iars-in this elato, to rail
roads. Why, before this Illinois Central Nail
Aftor tho Government gayo the railroad every
| othcr section for fourteen 1nilea wido and tut
length Of the Foad, thon ne had to Pay the Coy
| e5 to $40 per nero. Whore did that extra chaygt
60 to, il not TO tho railroad2 I 1.-Two III oolos
County, aud I do not kuow of . single, county
among thogo In tlls vicinity That is not taxed Il
pny tor tho building Of some railroad. Why, til.
| farmers Of and around Milton graded tho switol
ut Million for nothing, mud now cant alip or sel
thore unless thoy take 18 or 40 cents Per bnshol
wliilo from rs to 10 cents Is paid ct Mattoon.
| W. a. r.