The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1874-10-22

q
were too powerful, and nothing came of It,,
except that secured for myself their con-
tinued and deadly hostility. They renewed
their oaths Of vengence, and 1t was the
Milwaukee and st. Paul Company that or
ganized the opposition which resulted in the
"fing, streaked and speckled," party that
carried the State. That Company, I am
assured, carried free most of those persons
who were willing to 60 as delegates to the
Milwaukee Convention. Having brought
that Convention together, and run It to their
satisfaction, they supposed that they owned
the no Mirees then and there selected. and
their all powerful influence was directed to
secure their election, and, after the election
was over. many time and oft the manager,
in his exultatiop, was heard to exclaim with
an oath, balancing himself upon his toes to
give emphasis to bis expressiou, that he would
give 500 for the photograph of any employe
Of their road who voted for me. But, alas
"the best laid scheme of mice and men gang
aft agley." They have had nothing but toll
and trouble ever since. Indeed, their expert
ence has been very much like one of old, OF
whom We read that
"He dlgged pit, he digged it deep;
He digged it for his brother.
But for his sin he did run in
The pi. he digged for 'tother."
1t Is now eomplaiD that the Legislature
acted without knowledge In passing the Pot
ter bill, that it is unjust, oppressive and void
and they have refused to obey it. If the
Legislature acted without sufficient informa
| ton, whose fault is 1t? Who used all thei
influence to prevent the obtaining of necess
airy Information and the appointment o.
Commissioners for that purpose, as twice
recommended by me while Governor
| That the law of last winter is perfectly
constitutional never had the sighted doubt
and all the purchased opinions of all the law
yere in he United States would not alter
my judgment. I have carefully examined
the law, and though perhaps not entirely
perfect in all its parts, as 1t could hardly be
expected to be, 1t is In main fair and just
enforced and obeyed until amended or repeal
ed. After the law Is complied with and fully
observed. if the people can be satisfied thai
tits unfair or unjust, they will see that it il
made iair and Just. but never while the rail
| wags ore in rebellion. No proposition
should be considered by the Loz,eartur,
; for an amendment 10 this law until he com
panes prove by their acts that they have
abandoned the position of rebellion they Ia W
| heretofore assumed and submit to it
then they can sho II that by obeying the Law
they cannot earn sufficient money on thei
Wisconsin business to pay fair rate of IN
terest on the actual capital invested, ther
the law should be, and will be, modified
But that they, in my opinion, can neve
truthfully show What the companies ar
fighting Is not 80 much unfair rates as th,
! principal involved, and against having thei
past history investigated. The fight will
them is % crush out the rights and spiri
of the people to do this millions will b.
spent if necessary They mean to make 1t s.
expensive to every man who dares to asser
his rights, in court OF elsewhere, that few
will care 10 attempt 1t, and the man wh'
does attempt it, If his business require
railway facilities, will soon find it ruined
There is hardly business man in the stat,
but feels that his business may be greatly
embarrassed, or perhaps destroyed, If he ha
the independence to assert his rights, ant
consequently they live in q state of morta
dread, and prefer to quietly bear the ills they
know not of. But let US do no iOjustice tt
the railroads of the state, or their officers
directors, or managers; many of them know
some are perfect gentlemen, while of others
may say, using the language of Col. Rober
Ineersoll. when speaking on different sub
ject, 'the more Isee them the better like
dogs" Take the general average and they
will hardly be rated as ''likely lot" The
operation of the roads in this state, with thu
exception Of unjust rates and Determinations
has been generally very satisfactory. Com
Portable and luxurious cars are furnished
with polite and gentlemarly conductors, and
accidents are very rare.
But I have no time to dwell longer on this
question, further than to express my gratifi
cation that the farmers have associated to
gether to assert their just rights, and to urge
them not to yield until that end is attain
| ed.
T do not advise them to bring suit
against the railroads, because I know
that it will be madness for them to do SO
What can farmer, single-hsnded, do
with railroad backed with forty mill
lions of capital? OF course every suit
will 60 TO the court of last resort, and The
expenses, even if successful, will bc
enough to ruin the richest farmer in this
country. I am with Governor Taylor in
all his honest and we'll directed efforts to