The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1873-05-03
treatment as mail matter they are to be
regarded by postmasters the same as
sc1led letters, arc not as printed.
The Farmers Movement Against
Railway Oppression.

Having for some years forcsocn that
the next phase Of popular aud political
agitation would turn upon adninistra.
tive and economic questions, we arc not
unpr"pnrcd to consider these intricate
subjects, nor does the Republican party
shrink from the assumption of the re
sponsibiity to aid in their solution.
The agitation Of the question of cheap
railway tolls, which has been carried on
in Illinois and the adjoining States, cu-
minated in the holding of regular
States convention at Springfield, I'll. in
which the farmers were represented b.
upwards Of three hundred regularly
chosen and accredited delegates; and
thus the movement has assumed mag
nitulc that challenges the attention of
the entire country.
We regret to observe that it is class
movement; for we would have greatly
preferred if our citizens generally with
out distinction of occupation or political
profession, who are injuriously affected
by the extaortionate demands on the part
of railways for toll and fare had united
to devise proper remedies
There is always danger that a class
movement will DC self.intorostci, partial
and prejudiccd and that it will arouse
the jealousy Of other interests. The
farmers are, moreover, likely to be temp.
ted by political demagogucs to incorpor
ate in their platform resolutions of a
purely political nature, SO that few Of
'hnm ,n.,y L. ;"vaiuled into now marty
relations. Should they yield to these
insidious suggestions The railroads will
not be slow to take advantage of this
intake to divert the current of public
opinion By the substitution Of questions
that are out remotely connected with tho
roin' Of issue. Thus Gar the farmers
have pursued judicious course; and the
resolutions Ieisting to the increase of
salaries and the tariff which were alop
.ei by the convnnrion on the first day,
we're v,ry rropcrly rcconsrdcrel on the
scroul and laid upon the table upon the
ground o. irrcv ianoy
Annexed arc The resolutions. which
fully st forth the natusr of the com
fla:ats of the producing classes og the
Western States;
First That all chartered monopoics
not regulated and controlled Sy law have
proven in this respect detrimental to
public prosperity, corrupting in their
management. and dlnscrous 10 republi-
can institutions.
second. The railways of the world.
except in thI>e countries where thcy
have been held under strict regulations
and supervision oil government, have
proved themselves us full Of arbitrary
rXtorton, aud opposed to free institu-
tons and free commerce between the
States, as the fcudal harons Of the mid
die ages.
Third. That we hold, declare, and
resolve that this drSpotism which detieS
our laws, plunlcr, our shippers, impoy-
erishes our pcoplt, aud corrupt our
Government shall be subulei anl made
to sub. crve public interests at wh.tcycr
cost
"R@o|c"i, That We boicye the State
did not, and could not confer any of lis
Sovereign power upon any corporation,
and that now i, the most favorable time
10 s,t,le the question, SO that it may
never be hcrcuttrr misunderstood that a
Srats cannot create a corporation that it
cannot thereafter control.
"Nc>,ic,d That, in view of the pre-
sent cXtoriions, we lonk with alarm upon
the future of an interest which can com
biLc, in the hands Of a few men a capi
'al of ne.rly S25OOOO, 600 in our own
State, and 81 100000 900 in our Union,
and we believe it essential to the pros
vcriiy Of al! classes that this contest
continue until those corporations acknow
Icdgs The supremacy Of the law.
"Rcsolred, That we urge the passage
Of bill cnGercing che principle that
railroads are public highways, aud re-
quiriug railroads to make actual con
ncclions with all roads whose tracks
reach and eros their own, and t. re
celve aud trarsmit all cars and trains