Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1874-10-30
TRANSPORTATION.
Relation of Natialla1 and
State Governments to
Railways.
RECORD AND PLATFORMS OF
THE POLITICAL RITES.
Hon II. S. Magoon's Reply to
"Blakes' Prairie Grange"
Editor Grant County Herald:

NO. I03, IN OranI county, 10 the Ell
feet that I, as the Republican nominee
in this district, for Congress, should
state through the Herald my position
and views on the subject of
CHEAP TRANSPORTATION. :,
and of the regulation thereof by the
State and National government, to
prevent extortion or corruption.
Acknowledging this request as right
and courteous, from one of tie ablest
Oranges in Wisconsin, I gladly COM
ply and Will present frankly, con-
densed statement of my views on this
broad and difficult subject, in as bri
space as possible. Matters in hand,
pressing on my time, prevent such dis
cussion Of legal and governmental doc
trines as [ could wish: but, as meet
ipgs are proposed, where this subject
will ba considered,I spare many "details
otherwise necessary.
AS becomes, therefore, friend, in
fearless candor, tc.reason with a neigh
Dor ON questions important not only to
us, but to our country, let us stsesk
the Truth and the Rifgt; and, after
finding them, plant our feet solidly
thereon.
To present clearly my views on this
topic, come! let us look moment at
the two parties throughout the nation.
Let US examine j, the record and
principles which they have made and
avow.
RECORD AND POSITION OF THE REFORM
How stand the so-called Reform
party on this subject? How stood
they in Congress; and how stand they,
to-day, in this district, to prevent ex-
tortion or oppression? What record
have the Reform party made at Wash
ington, this very year? Come let
them answer boldly, at the bar of the
people, what their record and policy are
on this question.
Now, recognize the Reform party
as consisting almost wholly of Demo
Gratis, honest, but misguided in part
by few late Republicans, who seek to
dictate the policy and energies Of that
party; the alliance seeming to be,said
late Republicans to have each Import
ant nomination; and said Democrats,
generous FELLOWSHIP do all the vo-
tiug !! How long this generosity of
Democrats, Of this self-sacIifce Of said
Republicans in holding the chief
trusts will hold out, is doubtful; but,
certainly, they have this profound fact
to console them in every eat:--The
Democrats will know, it is only a Re-
publican leader that is killed While
said leader can equally rejoice it is
only the Democratic party that is mis-
generated and ruined !!
Yet we know that now, with des-
perateness Of assault worthy of a let
ter cause, they, the Reformers,ar are uni
ted in one object----to disband, destroy
and cnto b the Republican party
The Reformers, having no national
creed Or principles; having reaIs.no nat
ional reforms fixed in heart being alnlos-
anything to everybody; seize every exl
pedieut, arouse Ioealisms and jealous
les, to thwart everywhere our grehtand
patriotic Republican host, and its mis-
sion Of liberty union and peace: There
fore, carrying cut this policy they eek
to sow into every Grange a distrust cf
Republicans and their nominees; and
would have each Grange blinded
n5t only to the real purposes and poli-
cy. Of our party, but to the Reformers'
IN record on this very subject.
Behold that record and let the peo-
pie read and pounderi it for themselves.
Here it is, and mark it we'll
In Congress, Feb. 9th 1874, J. O.
Smith, Republican member from Ohio
moved in the House, the adoption Of
the following Resolutions:
Resolued THAT, in the judgmen of this Hous
it is within the constitutional power ofCongress. by
law, So to regulate commerce among the States
a to protect that portion of our internal commerce ,
vhick is among the several States, from all unjust
or oppressive tolls, taxations distractions or other
burdens whether imposed by railroad com
panies or by common carriers, when engageda as
the instrument of such portion of the commerce of
people,
tide of the commerce among the States are such as
to demand the prompt and wise exercise of the oo
er and duties dc: ldfsd ~ THE restitution
Now, on this resolution, in which
every Grange and Patron of Husbandry
in the United States was interested, all
the Refornaers voted NAY 4! except
10. F1FTY-FoUR RefUrmers voted
NAY!II But every Republican voted
Yea except 10. 159 Republicans
voted YEA. That is the Reformers as
party, who now demand suArages as
the especial friends of Changers, voted
against Resolution, in Congress,
preliminary TO legislation to prevent exs
tortion or oppression in transporta-
ton But, the Republican party, 20
ted almost solidly in favor of said Res
olution.
This il not all. Mr.. .McCrary, of
Iowa, Republican, reported to-. the
House. Jan. 90, 1874, a Bill to regu-
late commerce by railroad among the
several states.
This Bill appointed commissioners,
prohibited, on freight, both unjust
discrimina ton and extortion!, Yet,no
longer ago than March 26, 1s74,every
Reformer except 5 roted against said
biu,-73 Reformers ooted against But,
116 Republicans voted for the bill;and
secured its passage. The Republicans
passed the Bill against almost the solid
Rafornaar's stxenpth
Thus. then. in congress at its last