Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1874-08-14
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
Address Of the Executive
Committee.
The State must Control Rail-
roads.
Duty Of the Changers in this Con-
test.
Patrons of Wisconsin,

poses for which the order was institu-
ted. What those purposes are the world
knows. They have been repeatedly and
publicly declared in so plain a manner
as not to be misunderstood unless inten-
tionally. Moreover, at the last session
ofthe National Grange they were for
INFLATED and adopted, thus adding the seal
of authority to what may be considered
the unanimous expression of the senti-
ments mad intentions of the
order. That "Declaration of Purposes"
will challenge the closest scrutiny to
discover either in the general or specific
objects set forth, any intent to depart
from line of conduct which could be
construed otherwise than being confined
strictly to objects such as the world
would pronounce laudable and praise
worthy in any class Of the community.
Among them was that of securing
cheap transportation to the sea-board.
We have adopted it as "our fixed pur-
pose" to "open out the channels in nat
ure's great arteries, that the life blood
com Of merce may flow freely" We
have declared that "we are not enemies
Of railroads." but eve are opposed to
such spirit and management Of any cor
poration or enterprise as tends to op-
press the people and rob them of their
just profits" That 1--WE desire only
seIf-protection and the protection of
every true interest of our land by
legitimate transactions, legttim ate
| trade and legitimate profits.
1t has been in accordance with these
views that whenever occasion offered
the Order has expressed itself in favor
Of the control Of railroad corporations
by State Legislation, and recent
events indicate that such legislation
will be sustained by both the people
and the courts, Notwithstanding every
effort made to defeat it. Such being the
case, there is danger that resort will
be had to other and more extreme
measures.
The result sought by legislative con-
troll of railroads being legitimate man.
agement, legitimate trade and legiti-
mate profits, it is not likely to be re-
ceived 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 sub
tie, 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 that no assistance can be ex-
tended by foreign capital to any more
Railroad projects in Wisconsin until
the Objectionable laa0s are repealed, and
letters are stentatiously paraded from
English as hts asserting in almost in
sulting "terms" these decisions. These
letters, assertions and threats, whatever
may be their intended effect, are like
the letters Of Messrs. Mitchell and
Keep to the Governor of this State.
They indicate clearly the course to be
pursued. There is no uncertainty
upon this point. The effort to be made
is TO repeal the Objectionable laws.
With the experience the people of
Wisconsin have already had with these
railroad managers, it hardly need be
said that no stone will be left unturned
to effect this object, and the agent said
to be the most potent used by them
is the one which we are now advised
will be most effectually brought to
bear. Some Of the public journals al
ready speak with fippant confidence
OF purchasing Legislators, and in allu
ding to these practices of railroad
"magnates" do not hesitate to include
within the possibilities of this
potent method, even the judiciary Of the
land.
1t is worse than useless to close our
eyes to the probabilities involved in these
projects.
1t would be culpable negligence on
the part of the "Patrons of Husband
ry" not to take prompt and decided
measures to prevent the consummation
OF these schemes, and your committee
might well be considered neglectful to
their trust not to give timely warning
to the order, and suggest adequate
remedies. Itmay indeed we'll be consid-
cred time to awaken the solicitude
of every good citizen, when we are
Obliged even to acknowledge that such
things are contemplated. But when
we are made to know that organized
capital stalks abroad in the country
seeking in every way to overreach le-
gitlmate trade, and to despoil labor,
reckless of means so that the end can
be accomplished, We may we'll prepare
by such methods as may be within our
power, to avert if possible, the storm
OF disaster andruin from BURSTING I,pon
us. lthas been forcibly said by disting
uished writer:
eff, in the interests of individuals
or OF classes, you make the law an in
strument of robbery, every one will
wish to make laws, and to make them
to his own advantage. There will be a
rlotous crowd at the doors of the legis-
latlye halls; there will be bitter con-
tilct within; minds will be in anarchy.
morals will be shipwrecked; there will
De violence in party organs, heated
elections, accusations, recriminations.
Jea,lo9!usles, inextinguishable hates, the
pubic forces placed at the service of
rapaclty instead of REFRESHING it, the
ability to distinguish the true from the
L.