The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-02-05
THE WESTERN FARMERS.
The MIGhI sfan state GrhnEc.--A
Definite Declaration of H'rimci-
pies Made.
Special Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune. ]
KALAMAZOO, Mich, Jan. %.
CHEAP TRANSPORTATION

KALAMAZOO, Mich, Jan. -.
CHEAP TRANSPORTATION.
The report of the committee on trans
portation, which was adopted, is as fol-
lows:
WHEREAS, The farmers have suffered
more by railroad exactions than all other
classes combined and
WHEREAS, We have in reality TO foot
all charges for transportation for the
merchants and all others engaged in
traffic have charged the freight in com
mission; and
WHEREAS, The railroad corporations
have out grown legislatures, or defy them,
and have made the chosen representatives
of the people matter of barter and sale;
and
WHEREAS, We hold that the right OF
eminent domain rests with the people,
to be expressed by them through their
| chosen representatives.; that railroad com
panies are amenable TO the law under
the same rules which govern plank and
| gravel-road companies; that legislatures
prescribe the manner of taking the right
of way and the manner of collecting tolls
as accidental in all respects, except that
on the latter roads the freight is moved
by individuals, and on the former the
railroad companies furnish the motive
power; and we hold that we have the
same right to fix the toll Of either as we
have to fix the toll the miller takes from
our grain for reducing it to -four, and in
case there was no precedent, the higher
law-that sense Of right which rests in
every bosom--wouldf forbid the impoverish-
ment of one class to enrich another; but
in their construction of the law there is
no limit to their exactions but the ability
Of the people tu bear them; and
WHEREAS, AS isolated cases of wrong,
we would cite section ID Of an act to au-
thorize the sale of the Central railroad,
which distinctly asserts that said railroad
shall transport merchandise and prop
erty on said railroad without show
ing Partially or favor; and also clause 10
of section of act 1875, approved April
IS, 1871, which says that any railroad
company doing business within the state
shall be required to transport without
unnecessary delay and in due order Of
time, without discrimination except az 10
classification Of freight offered tor trans
portation, and at uniform rates per mile;
which is violated every day, whereby we
are virtually forbidden as farmers from
shipping our own produce, and are bound
over hand and foot to the tender mercie-
of the middle men; therefore,
THE DUTY OF GOVERNMENT.
Resolved, That we assert the authority,
and that it is the duty of the Legislature
and state officers to investigate the mat
ter of this violation Of the law by the
various railroad companies doing bust
ness in this state, and to promptly en-
force the laws enacted for the protection
of the rights of the people; and in cases
where the present laws may be found de
fcient, to promptly remedy the defects
by new enactments.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
The following preamble and resolu-
tons we're also adopted
WHEREAS, The experience of society
has long since proved that all great en-
terprises growing out of the wants OF
communities are best promoted and
more fully developed by the associated
effort of those interested in the same
calling; and
WHEREAS, Such association of effort
has been brought to the aid of every i'm
portant branch 0f business in our cOun-
try except agriculture; therefore,
THE ORDER or PATRONS.
ResolUed, That We, as farmers of Mich
igan, regard the Order of Patrons OF
Husbandry as a movement of vast i'm
portance, not only to the interests of the
great producing class Of our country,
but also in its ultimate and highest OBJ
jects, designed and calculated to bless 30
ciety at large.
OBJECTS OF THE ORGANIZATION.
Resolved, That we understand the OBJ
iects of this organization to be
/. The bringing together in friendly
and intelligent association that large class
of society, the farmers, who have in all
the past lived comparatively isolated,
bringing with them their wives, their
sons, and their daughters, thereby pro
netting the highsr social culture with ali
its bene6oent results.
2.dTo encourage the intellectual i'm
proVement of those connected with the
Organisation, not only by the discussion
of the numerous questions purely agri-
cultural, the proper understanding OF
which underlies our greatest success in
the tillinR of the soil, but also that we
NAV be more thoroughly acquainted
with the grsat and important duties and
obligations dsVolxing upon US, and grow
inn out Of the relations we sustain % 90