Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-02-05

order And thore would seem to be neces-
sity for some action of the National Grange,
at Its next session, which would not only de-
flne the restrictions within which the order
should be confined, by amending Article ~.
but also provide for enforcing discipline IL
this respect"
Some time ago petition was ad-
dressed by the Wisconsin Changers to
Congress, setting forth that increased
facilities for transportation had become
national necessity, and asking that the
Federal Government undertake the i'm
provement of the great water routes of
the country. 1t was expressly stated
that the petitioners did not desire to
urge anything upon Congress that it
had not fun authority to do. The ex-
press demands were the improvement
of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers and
the mouth of the Mississippi, besides the
completion of the public works already
begun at other points on that river.
This petition was supplemented by a
circular, addressed to all the Wisconsin
Congressman by tine Executive Com
mittee of the State Grange, asking
them what course they would adopt in
regard to these demands. Responses
have been received from Senators Car
penter and Howe and Representative
Rusk, giving general acquiescence to
the proposed Improvements, and a
promise of cooperation. The other
Wisconsin Representatives have been
silent. In the meantime, Congress has
taken no action, nor have the Wiscon-
sin congressman, looking to the con-
summation of the farmers demands.
After pointing out these facts, Mr.
Cochrane concludes
There is but one conclusion TO be arrived
at from this want of attention to our request,
and that conclusion is one that is now general
ly accepted as correct all over the country.
That so far as regards the people themselves,
and their representatives, the connection is
broken from the date of election.
1.-The representatives are masters of the sit
uation, and assume an arrogant irresponsi-
bility we'll indicated in the neglect alluded to.
" There is q seriousness of aspect about this
state of things which calls for earnest action,
and / particularly call your attention to it.
The necessity which obliged the present
universal demand for cheap transportation has
not been without Its lesson, nor should the ex-
amples afforded by the municipal corruptions
of the country be without their warning.
"There is an important bearing upon our
interests connected with the subject. In my
judgment there is no other that demands, at
this time, a more decided expression from this
order.
1t is seen that power delegated by the peo-
pie to their representatives is made to react
against themselves and they are obliged to
battle with the creatures of their own creation
fer their rights.
I" 1t is not alone the question Of cheap trans
portation that should absorb our interest We
should look deeper into causes and effects.
Our material interests are dependent, in a
greater or less degree, upon the seton of our
Representatives in Congress. We must not
lose sight of the fact that although the people
at large might not object to the expenditure
of public treasure for purposes of utility that
when such expenditures are managed so as to
accrue to private benefit, the intent is per-
certed, the people insuhed and robbed.
THE privileges which the people have
granted to railroad corporations have become
instruments of oppression. BY the law of
self-preservation the producers of the country
are compelled to look for remedy. All they
demand is simple justice; an equal chance.
But they cannot longer consent to be taxed at
will by soulless corporations. The law has
given those creatures of the people this power.
We now appeal for relief from their avaricious
grasp. Railroad property has also been relieved
from bearing its just share of the expenses of
the Government. Equal taxation demands
that this property be assessed and taxed at the
same rate that other property is assessed and
taxed. The law is made to sanction rates of
interest for the use of money in this State at
least twice as large as the whole business of
the people can be made 20 pay. Why should
capital be invested by law with those extra
ordinary privileges and advantages over COM
merce and labor? These abuses are of long
standing. They have gradually crept into the
body polite. To suggest remedies require
careful, intelligent, patient thought and DELHI
Grafton. While we firmly refuse TO submit to
continued invasion of our rights, let us
commend our cause to the best Judgment of
the people of the State by respecting the
rights Of Others"