New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-03
NEW PUBLICATIONS.


sye no Ieq Davenport Iowa: Day ECbert.
The theory of navigation cannot be studied TO the
best advantage while the storm is raging on the
ocean and the creakng of timber and cOrdage shows
the peril of the ship. But when the tempest begins
10 subsde and the sunshine once more appears on
the face Of the water il is good time TO critcise
abe management of the vessel. to examine ITS
construction and rig and to inquire whether there
u aught in its arrangements that aggra-
waited the danger which just before Threatened
il with speedy ruin. In this point of view the pres
ent volume is eminenty seasonable. Ii was pun
hshed short time previously TO the recent crash'
and now that season of financial tranquility Is
taking the place of confusion and distress, 1t af-
fords excellent opportunity for listening 10 tue
views of a clear-headed thinker on the causes OF
national pecuniary embarrassment and disaster
The author is prominent citizen of Iowa, and
challenges attention 10 his statements, both from
the extent of his researches and the camneSs of ms
utterance His work is inscribed to " The Patrons
Of Husbandry" and doubtless to great degree,
represents the important movement III the North
West which has for its object the suppression of
Corporate monopoies and the restoration of popular
rights.
In the COMPOSITION of the volume Mr. Cloud has
had no view TO partisan interests. He has become
convinced that the people threatened with
SERIOUS dangers by the enormous power of moneyed
corporations In his opinion, their vast influence is
at war with the material prosperity of the nation,
and the very spirit of republican government
The men who thus combined in OPP
position to the people do not belong 10
any one political division ~. They are found
IN all parties. They firmly united
for the purpose of grasping power. They seek
10 control the government in their own inter
osts to fasten oppressive mOnOpoeS upon the people,
and to enrich themselyes{at the expense OF the
public. Among other measures 10 this effect they
procure donations of land continue deprecated
currency aud establish arbitrary rules and bylaws
Of their own, which place the community at
their mercy. "To such an extent" says
the author. shave these monopoles been
fostcrud and protected. that tat the present
time. the farmer pays in freight taxes ana
duties al least One-half of his farm products for
their support" He Is taxed for the purpose OF
paving the interest on many millions of money
gwen OF lent to railway companies, and of building
railroads for private owners while extortionate
rates are exaeted for the freight of his products 10
market. The idea that the government by the
people is also for the people has become practically
obsolete. According 70 the latest doctrine, the
whole DUTY Of the government Is to foster monopo-
lies and these mOnOpOGes own the people.
The author, however, takes no extreme ground
on this point. He does not insist that it Is always
al abuse of power to grant the aid of government
Il special or local interests. The improvement of
rivers and harbors for instance and other similar
objects although by their naturel local in some de-
gree mayI Justly claim the assistance of govern
ment as a legitimate exercise of delegated authority
for the benefit of the people.
What he especially opposes is the donation of
public lands 10 railroad corporations of which more
hat- ho.y, frixe
for that purpose within few years These grants
were not demanded by the people. Nor were they
required for the necessities of the government IL
cannot be maintained that they are of any direct
benefit to the public. On the contrary, the lands
and roads are owned by private corporations and
not even the government can transport freight on
these roads without compensation. But these lands
argues the author do not belong to the government
but to the people The officers of government are
only the servants of the people They have no more
right to give the public lands TO railroad corpora
tons than they have to tax the people and give The
proceeds 10 those companies.
AS consequence lOf the subsidy system OF con
strncting railroads the author dwelis at length
the power which il gives their manager, over the
carving trade Of the country. The wealth of the
United States he ainns, consists in its agricultural
products Good markets and cheap freights arc OF
the utmost importance TO persons engaged in acri-
cultural pursuits Unless the crops can be sold with
out a sacrifice of ouc-half in the shape of freightS
and commissions the husbandman will he impover-
isbed. Aud If the farmers do not receive fair re-
Enumeration for their work al other industrial inter-
ests will suffer with them. Everything that tends
10 DERIVE the producer of the value of his product
tends to the mpovershment of the whole country.
But tins is accomplished at present by the enormous
charges of the railroad companies for carrying
freight The charges of these monopOlies are aTbi-
tray The prices often fixed by the value of the
different kinds of grain Thus they charge onethird
more FOR carrying wheat from the West 10 the Last
than Coz corn aud oats. l. can be carcdjuS as cheap
ascorn or oats but because Of It's higher value will
bear greater charge and still leave One-halt OF It's
valnc ~ the producer.
The monopoli,tS. accordingly. have combined 10
charge such rates for transportation TO render the
farm products of the West of little or no v.lnc.
Wheat which sells for - in New York is worth but
81 y in Iowa the difference being ali orbed in the
manifold expenses Of transportation. The combina-
non against the farmer is perfect tlat ne has
remedv lie does nos complain of a fair rate Of
conversation. No one would wish the carriers Of
freight from the West to the East to lose money by
tie business. On the contrary the people desire
that they should have a liberal conDensa-
non for their services and their investment of CAPT
IA But when bonds are issued for fictitious
amounts and the stock is increased by artificial
moisture il viii be seen why the producer complains
Of the high price Of Transporting his crop. Ii 1t is
true SAYS Mr.. Cloud that the charges for frelghts
cannot be reduced, it follows that the published
statements of the costs OF carrying upon railroads
are not true aud that railroads have entirely failed
70 supply the necessities of the country II we
are 10 depend upon railroads 10 carry the
crops Of the farmer TO the seaboard, there
10 an end to competition with other conn
tines in European markets If the cost of car
rying bushel Of wheat from Iowa to New-York is
20 remain AZ at present Of Two things must be
the result Either the farmer must sell at Tuinous