The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-10-31

RAILROADS AND THE PEOPLE.

RAILROADS AND THE PEOPLE.
In discussing the subject of railroad leg
islation few days since, the -He'uM ex-
presses the opinion that the Granger move
ment "to obtain control of the railroads OF
the country is an experiment OF very
doubtful wisdom" If the writer fully
understood the principles of the organza-
ton called Changers, he would not have
made this rash statement. The class re-
ferred to have never in any manner at
tempted to get control Of the railways.
They have only demanded, as the repre-
sentatives of the agricultural and business
classes, that just and equitable tariffs
should be given for the transportation of
the products of the country, from the west
to the sea-board, and between the different
distributing points, so that the price of the
commodity should not all be absorbed by
the carrier in the rates of transportation.
This is all the control they have attempted.
and this they have the right to ask when it
becomes apparent, as it had, that 1t could
be done Mt lower rates. The railroads
knowing their power refused all compro-
mise, and kept on with their oppression of
the prolucer-almost crushing out the bus
mess and in sense para,y zing agriculture.
No alternative was left for the people
hut an appeal for justice.
There has never been in the history of
the country resistance to fair and equita-
bic regulations. 1t is only when the people
feel themselves wronged and oppressed
that they take an appeal. From the peo-
pie then, came this organization. 1t could
never have arisen unless there was some
thing radically wrong in the condition of
things, surrounding those from whence
it sprang. 1t has been no experiment, but
Il success A petition was preferred to the
law-naking power, and some of the evils
were remedcd by legislation. The courts
have sustained the law and the voice of the
people has been triumphant over monopo-
ly II the producers of the west have sue
ceedcd, it Is time they settled the matter at
the east. There are as grave reasons for
settling this difficult problem in Vermont
as1n Wisconsin, although there may not be
quite as much reason, perhaps, for COM
plant here as there. There can be no fur
ther question of the discreet use of law
regulating railway traffic, as the expert
ment in Wisconsin has proved If it prove
unjust to railroads they have the same
power of appeal as the people
We are told that there has been a mass
of foolish talk on the subject which re-
fleets no credit on the sovereign rulers of
the country. Also, that the farmers have
proved incompetent to understand, etc.
This is certainly very courteous way of
calling the farmers a pack of fools. Far
mers are generally men who understand
their own business and its relations. We
are also informed that the real question at
issue is ''Shall the railroads make up TO the
farmer what he naturally loses on account
of the distance of his farm from the sea-
board" This is not the question lnvolyed:
1t is shall the railroads carry the corn and
wheat of he west to the seaboard at a
reasonable rate that shall prove remunera-
tive to both the railroad and the farmer.
Experience has tested the fact that it can
be done, but the railroads like the Jew
demand 'the pound of flesh" Tie farmer
and producer resist the payment of the
bond. Shall the people be compelled t.
wait for decision of the courts? 1t may
take years to reach the case in the supreme
court of the United States. Shall TIT
people bear their burden until then? Thu
friends of the Potter law have no fear o.
its being declared unconstitutional. Shal
Vermont wait until this question is settled
If there are wrongs which the railroads re
fuse to make right-the time is now t.
procure remedy. A dealy of.two year
will leave the business interests of West
ern Vermont at the mercy Of an arbitrary
grasping corporation-who have alread
nearly crushed out some of our industries
and in two years more will quite have com
plcted the job.
The great bugbear TO our neighbors
Mr.. Hyde's bill. We doubt not it ma
need revision, but for that purpose it hs
been submitted to committee of the legi
latrre who will remedy any defects it ma
have. 1t may be shorn of its special cha
acter when it comes from the hands of Il
committee. We are told the state has I
right to make such a discrimination b
tween railroads Then, to follow out Il
argument of the Herald, a single railroi
may demand the life blood of the produce
and there can be no remedy against the
unjust proceedings, unless all the 9th
railways are dragged into the same cat
CORY. What are the facts in this cas-
Here is foreign corporation which, by
exhorbiant tariff, is prostraling the ms
BILE and slate traffic, compelling it to
over their particular line. If it seek
cheaper outlet through our own state to /
west, an embargo is placed upon it in t
form of double rates of transportatio
While, on the other hand, the Vermo
railroads are creating and building up I
business of the state, not depressing
And still the friends of Mr.. Hyde's bill q
gravely told, You must regulate thu
roads Also" We are told that this rs
road must be tenderly handled, for its &C
nectlons are of such vital importance to
state. Vermont has been tenderly caring
this corporation these ten years, protect
them in their rights, in the mean time nu
ing up monopoly to Cypress the Peep
We are also informed that this compa
must not be exasperated least worse st,
OF things is brought about. How mu
worse can 1t be, pray tell. These thre