The Portland daily press., 1873-10-27
The Government and the Railroads.

During the past week two quite important
bodies at Chicago have been considering the
all absorbing subject of transportation. These
bodies represent entirely distinct classes and
interests. The National Board of Trade is
made up of leading husindss men from all
parts OF the country, the majority, perhaps
coming under the general designation of mid
demen, often berated by producers and con-
sumers, but indispensable 10 the welfare of
both. The Farmers Convention, if made I'D
in accordance with the call, was composed of
representative agriculturists from all sections
of the country. The former, il is understood,
met with the purpose of compromising with
the transportation interest. The farmers, on
the other hand, have bitter feud with the
carriers and have frequently declared their
hostility. Naturally we should expect differ
emf action on the part of the two bodies.
The farmers after long discussion, adopt
ed the following as one of their pr nciples:
1--WE demand the construction of railroads
and the Improvement of water communications
between the interior and seahoard, the same to
be owned aud operated by the general govern
ment, for the purpose of affor ing cheap and
ample transportation. and to protect the people
from the exactions of monopolies."
There is no installing the purport of this
declaration. 1t IS simply another move in ia
vor of plunging the Government into an ex-
tfavagant and endless scheme of canal and
railroad building, that private enterprise and
capital would not entertain for moment,
and which will lead to series of frauds that
would give the Credit Mobilier and like cor
ruptions, responsibility and eventually de-
bauch the whole public service.
1t is said, however, that this farmers con-
vention which was called as national repre-
sentative meeting, was simply local mass
meeting, Illinois furnishing nine-tenths of
the members. Consequently we shall not re-
gard this demand as the result of the cool
Judgment of the agricultural interest of the
nation but rather as an excited protest of
men who have real grievance for which
there is no apparent remedy.
The National Board of Trade in its discus
sions showed that its members fully appre-
ciated the great Importance of the subjec.
and their resolutions indicate that this infu-
entail body was very careful not to commit
iooSi III oOo eSlilo W puio udhSCiOuo poliCy vi
the government building and running rail
roads. The Board has, however, by impca-
ton favored the scheme, or rather taken it
for granted that Congress would adopt the
policy and in pursuance of the admission,
passed resolution recommending the crea-
ton of bureau to control railroads and ca
nails and direct the distribution of subsidies.
1t is really matter of regret that the jobbers
and SPECTATORS interested in the scheme of
turning the government into corporation to
build railroads that no private enterprise
would think of, will gather much en-
couragement from the action of the most
influential commercial association in the
country.
We cannot believe that the action of either
of these boards represent the sentiments of
the intelligent men of the nation-that how
ever much the industry and business of the
country may suffer by the avarice and bad
management of transportation companies,
the mass of thinking men will oppose
scheme that will increase the public debt sew
eral hundred millions and bring an era of
corruption such as the world has never wit
messed.