The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-03-24

a-gone, and that at the best they are sooner
or later detached. A varied business expe-
rience, including several years of railroad
supersntendence. has taught me that good
sound, common sense is winning
card as well in railway management
as IN other branches of business, and the
people OF Illinois have chosen to entrust
tire practical control of their railway inter
ests to board of three commissioners who
possess very fair share of that commend
aDle quality. In assuming that all the in
telligence necessary in the management of
railways Is embodied in the present list of
officers, they would apparently wish to con-
vey the idea that few years of experience
usually In single departmental a rail-
way once creates class of men OF higher
SCALE OF INTELLIGENCE
than ordinary mortals. It is perhaps
true that the commissioners do not
know the special wants and special
circumstances of the respective companies.
and for this the railway officials themselves
are responsible. They have studiously ig-
nored the board in pursuance of their policy
to test the matter in the courts. Although
they have had free access to the commits
sioners, and although they very well know
that those gentlemen have been prompted
through all their action, by the desire to dis
pense even handed Justice to the companies.
as well as TO the people, they have per-
sistently arrayed themselve s in opposition.
theY nave engaged in a contest which NAV
possibly be prolonged through a series Of
years, but which can nave only one ending.
Abuses of the privileges granted to the cor
p0ratlons have become so fragrant and nm
besrable that the people have arisen in their
might to correct the evil. They may be
thwarted for a time, since thew have sorpbt
the remedy through the peaceful medium Of
the ballot box, but public opinion which
OF late is prompt to assert itself will i'm
the nature Of things, finally win.
The sense of the people asks no unjust con-
SESSIONS rom the railway companies. Their
utility is fully recognized; just compensa-
ton for every service performed, for every
dollar OF money legitimately invested, will
be cheerfully granted, but they do not
expect that their kindness will be imposed
upon, and If their demands for simple JUS
tice are to be met with insult and with
threats, they hold in their ballots the power
to enforce their demands. II NAV
be worthy thought whether il would not
De very good stroke of policy for
the companies 10 change their tactics some
what. They insist that they only want ex-
act Justice, and this is all that The people
have ever demanded. May not this be best
detained by friendly discussions, looking to
mutual understanding. / speak advisedlv
when assert that the board OF commission
ers of Illinois would, on behalf of the people,
meet any officers representing the railway
interest.
ON HALFWAY GROUND.
To those who read some of the leading
Illinois papers, it would appear quite evil
dent that the present law was perfect It's
sue of Inconsistencies, and at the beginning
of the present legislative session its friends
were almost alarmed at the prospect of it's
repeal, but when it came to a vote it was
sustained without amendment by an over
whelming majority. NV communication
has already exceeded the limit | had in
tended, but there is one question of momen-
tOus Importance now before congress, 10
which, with your permission, may briefly
refer. L can hardly beiieve it possible that
our congress Is so corrupt as to serious
ly entertain and pass such law
as is proposed under the plea of
regulating commerce between the states.
Ii has surprised me beyond measure to see
the grangers encouraging such action
through the undscussed Recommendation
of the grand master. Such PLAYING into the
hands of the monopolists is as lncompre-
hensibie as it is not presumable that an Of
hcer in such high position is ignorant of the
involved II congress legis-
lates for the through lines which control by
their connections all of the local state lines.
what is left for the states 10 act upon?
Really and in fact, nothing at all.
State legislation cannot interfere with ma
5ional legislation which outranks it, and in
all questions of issue-And such would GER
sainly arise with distinct systems in the
same state-the national commission would
the state body. Has past expe-
rience been sufficiently gratifying TO justify
rs in entrusting to commission of nine
n which three thousand millions OF dollars
s involved? One half of this immense sum
s now practically controlled by less than
dozen private individuals who
have never shown any hesitation
about employing all the money necessary to
compass their ends. million a piece to
zach of the commissioners would be a trivial
affair. We may secure first nine who can
lot be bribed (?) but with such inducements
here would soon be means found to make
up that committee "to suit" With such
committee appointed DIV Congress the peo-
Die would have occasion &c curse their luck
or years to come, while the scheming man.
gers would snap their fingers in high glee.
Let such bill pass congress, and within
i've years the senators and representatives
n that body will be retorting To- the de-
hands of an outraged people as we
ave before heard to our dis
ust, 1--WE followed your instructions,
you, the grangers arc responsible for our ac-
iOn." This subject of transportation has
cen more thoroughly discussed in Illinois
jail olscHutIcs Vi the
pen meetings under the auspices of the
tate farmers association, and it is worthy
note that at the Decatur convention but
ne voice was heard out of over three hum
red representative men present in favor Of
)ngressional interference The action of
he convention was emphatically against it.
Fl. CHARLES w. GREENE,
indianapolis, March Is, 1874.
At a late temperance meeting in New