The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1874-08-13
THE CHANGERS.
Address Of the Executive Com
mittee Of the State Grange. =
What they say about
&t@ ut <tI}tt1 IL roc @# DdE
Railroads. N sa3 40
Patrons Of Wisconsin !:

e T.
Scarcely two years have elapsed since
our order can be said to have existed in
the state. During that time its members
have endeavored to develope and give
practical effect to those purposes for which
the order was instituted. What those
purposes are The world knows. They
have been repeatedly and publicly de-
clared In so plain a manner as not 20 be
misunderstood unless Intentionally More
over, at the last session Of the National
Grange they were formulated and adopted,
thus adding the seal of authority to what
may be considered the unanimous ex-
preston of the sentiments and
l. INTENTIONS, OF THE ORDER. ;
That Declaration of Purposes will schal-
lenge the closest scrutiny. to- discover
either in the general or specific objects
set forth, any intent to depart from line
of con duct which could be construed 9TH
erwise than being confined strictly to OBJ
jects such as the world would pronounce
laudabe and praiseworthY in any class
ofthe community. Among them was
that of securing cheap transportation to
the seaboard. We have adopted it as
"0ur .fred purpose to 'open out the chan
nels In natures great arteries, that the
life-blood of commerce may flow freely"
We have declared that "we are not the
enemies of railroads." but 1--WE are OPP
posed to such spirit and management of
any corporation or enterprise as tends to
Cypress the people and rob them of their
just profits" That we desire only self
protection and the protection of every
true interest of our land by legitimate
transactions Legitimate trade, and legitimate
profits. 1t has been in accordance with
these views that whenever occasion offer
ed the order has expressed itself III favor
OF the control Of railroad corporations by
state legislation, and recent events indi-
cate that such legislation will be sustain
ed, by both the people and the courts,
notwithstanding every effort made to de-
feat 1t. Such being the case there is
danger that resort will be had to other
and
MORE EXTREME MEASURES. h#
The result sought by legislative con-
troll of railroads being legitimate manage
nent, legitimate trade, and legitimate
profits, it is not likely to be received with
much favor by those who have hitherto
controlled this kind of property upon
different principles. Every effort made
to defeat enacted law having failed, there
is probability that resort will be had to
a more subtle, corrupt and dangerous
method OF retaining their power. Already
we are told through the public journals
that capital will be withdrawn from the
state, and Chat no assistance can be ex-
tended by foreign capital to any more
railroad projects in Wisconsin until the
e9jectsona1 zascs are repealed, and letters
are SYSTEMATICALLY paraded from English
agents asserting in almost insulting
."terms," these decisions. These letters
and assertions, and threats, Whatever may
be their intended effect, are like the let
ters of
MEssRs. MITCHELL AND KEEP
to the Governor of the state. They indi-
cate clearly the course to be pursued
There is no uncertainty upon this point
The effect to be made is to repeal tho OBJ
jsct5onabte zas0s. With the experience
which the people of Wisconsin have al /.
ready had with these railroad managers