The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-01-10
The sOulless Nature of MOnnnnlies.

Experience has thoroughly demon
strated that nothing but wholesome on
position can ever make private corpora
tion mindful of the peoples interests.
Especially is this true of railway COM
panies. Once permit such a company
to acquire q monopoly of the carving
trade, and straightway it becomes over
bearing, tyrannieal and oppressive. 1t
suits its own times, places and purposes,
and exacts its demands with all the as
surance and bearing of an antocrat.
From Omaha to Chicago there are
three parallel lines of railroad, all bid
ding for psblie patronage. Each road
yies with the other two in its efforts to
please the public. The best of accom-
mOdations, and the most considerate
treatment of passengers, characterize
each line. a surly answer to a fair
question by an employe insures his dis
charge. The criticisms of the press are
respectfully considered, and if found to
be Just are promptly acted upon. Their
time schedules are kept constantly and
prominently before the public. The
companies recognize the rights of the
people in the management of their roads,
and respect those rights. For any one
of said companies to attempt to ma
| ipulate legislation to its especial advan-
/ tage would be to arouse storm of pub
| lie indignation that would speedily
| teach il its proper place. The same con-
dition of things exists from Chicago
eastward to the sea-board. An active
and healthy opposition regulates each
competing line, and keeps it true to the
public interest.
But how is it with our own monop-
oily? 1t builds its roads with the Gov
ernment subsidies and the proceeds OF
its first mortgage bonds, letting the con-
tracts at eXorbitant rates to itself, tax
ing its own securities for pay. Its sur.
plus bonds it uses to buy up all compel.
ing lines, whether by land or water
thus riding rough shod over the peoples
best interests. 1t perpetually ignore:
the rights of the people, and looks upoT
all interference with its policy as med
dlesome assumption. 1t can readily
show by its books that its average earn
ings are not far in excess of its OutgOes
and thus pull the wool over the eye
of the Legislator, who might seek Il
regulate its freights and fares; but Il
does not show that by its sharp system
of construction its expenditures ar
largely fictitious.
|. We do not question the fact that tn
overland railroad is of great benefit t
the wealthier class of travellers ant
tourists. 1t has brought us large mum
bers of this class, many of whom hav
come to stay-to build up and beautif,
our cities; but that, from its high rate
of fare, il operates as a bar to the immi
grafton of the laboring and poore
! classes, that the State so much needs q
this time to develop its industrial re
sources, is beyond question. On tn
other hand, it has operated, the pas
season, to take from eight to ten dollar
ton out of the pockets of our farmer
in the way of high freights for wheat
! A few years ago our incoming ship
, came heavily freighted, and conld affor
to carry outgoing cargoes of grain a
low rates. Now they must needs com
in ballast for their cargoes, and ar
! obliged to charge accordingly.
p What we need and must have is
competing overland line to correct thes
abuses, and to teach our arrogant me
t nopoly that the people have right
7 which they should respect.-SdR Jos
= Mercury.