The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1874-08-27

t should not be either specially in
favor of hone or foreign manuiac-
ture, but 30 as to afford fair and reas
enable competition, relying upon
that to reduce prices. How sense
lees tn 8 jGrgOn of free tfade TO the
people of the M;ssiss ppi Valley,
who 1--we at distance of 800 miles
from the sea-board, and to whom the
cost of transportation must ever be
a great obstacle and expense in the
approach to foreign markets. We
have a soil Of unsurpassed fertility,
mineral resources, coal, timbe-, and
all the means for Sustaining a vast
and varied industry, and Of thus be-
coming independent of distant States.
How unwise, therefore, for us to cul-
tivate a policy which mares us de-
pendent on foreign, distant, and
costly markets ,Or our productions,
ard 10 import those articles we can
curse YES produce Just when the
time has come for the West to de-
velop itse'I, and for the establish
ment of our industries upon sure
fOupca:iors, we are met with the
insane cry OF free trade, advised to
throw down eve=y protection to in
Custry, to PIT America labor upon
level, as to dignity and price, with
the peupe' labor of Europe, and to
continue our dependence upon the
Eas:, snd the payment of tribute to
fo"e'gn countries. England, France,
and Germsny protected their indus.
tries by tariffs uatil they were COM
pletely established, and had nothing
to fear from lower wages or cheaper
capital In surrounding countries, and
then united in a labor OF disinteTest
ed affection to instruct the people of
the United States in the beauties of
free trade. DOctrinarians may con-
tinue to higgle about the tariff, but
we may rest assured that it will be
maintained substantially as it is dur
ing this generation.
THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.
Another question of paramount
importance is the change in the sys-
TEN of Presidential elections. The
dangers and imperfections of the
present system are well understood,
and may plunge the nation into civil
war at any time. The theory ald
reasons 70; the establishment of the
electoral colleges have all failed,
and the colleges are potent only for
mischief. A small majority may de-
termine the vote OF whole State,
electors being chosen on general
ticket, and, as in New York has
been frequently tho case, Presiden-
tial vote IN a particular locality may
carry the entire State. If the col,
le0es fail to elect, the election goes
to the House of Representatives,
wherein Nevada with only 10000
inhabitants, has the same vote as
New York with her 5000, 900 popu-
latiOn. In 1925 Mr.. Adams who had
received less than one third of the
popular vote, was elected by the
House over Gen. Jackson, who had
received large plurality over the
popular and electoral vote. The
path OF duty is the path Of safety.
We should brush away the electoral
machinery and the election by the
House Of Representatives, and
choose the President and Vice Pres
ident by direct vote of the people,
giving the election TO the candidate
who has received the highest mum
ber OF votes.
THE TRANSPORTATION QUESTION.
The Senator examined the trans
portatlon question at considerable
length, affirming the power of Con-
gress TO regulate Interstate com
merce, and Of each State TO control
it's own individual commerce, sub
ject only TO the restrictions of the
Constitution Of the United States.-
What Congress has already done was
clearly explained, but the question,
in all its bearings, was one of great
delicacy and moment 10 the country
and could not be hastily solved. 1t
is not practicable for Congress TO
enact general laws regulating rates
for traffic. These must vary from q
multitude of local circumstances,
but it is clearly within the power of
Congress, and seems TO be practica-
BILE, 10 establish Boards of Railroad
Commissioners TO be vested with GER
tain powers, to be governed by gen
eral regulations, within which they
shall have the power TO supervise
and regulate the rate for freight and
passengers upon all interstate rail
roads, SO as TO prevent unjust dis
ordinations between different local
tiles or classes of persons TO pre-
vent combinations between railroad
corporations and other persons 10
put up the prices Of freights or pas
senger fares TO prevent railway
corporations from taxing advantage
of the obtruction of lakes, rivers and
canals by frost or by low water; TO
put freight or taxes beyond what
would be reasonable, fair and hon
est profit and, in short, to prevent
extortions and iupositions by rail
road companies upon the people Of
the country, however attempted 70
be prscticed. The interests and
rights of all parties should be pro-
tected with equal care and vigilance,
the railroad companies TO be left in
the control of their property as far
as may be consistent with public
interests, and not to be interfered
with by these Boards of Commits
sioners except in clear cases. While
Congress must aud should look TO it
that the people do not suffer from
oppression by capitalists, combina
tions or corporations, the people, on
the other and, should remember
that railroads are indispensable 70
the growth and prosperity of the
country, and the construction OF
more becomes important from year
to year. Capital is timid, and even
will not invest in building new roads
iflegislation is had whereby railroad
property is made less valuable and
/ Secura Great moderation should