New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-08-08
radical for which posterty not the present genera
tion VIII be indebted 70 Archibald Dobbs N. A.. Of
England. "A. SupCE
Warrington, D. O., Aug. 3, 1874 ....
THE POTTER RAILROAD LAW OF WIS

CONSIN
PREDICTION THAT III WILL BE REPEALED-THE ISSUE
BETWEEN THE RAILROADS AND THE PEOPLE
AGAIN sTATED-wHY THE POTTER LAW WAS
PASSED.
TO me Edffor Of Ths Tribune.
SIR: That the so-called "POtter Law" OF
Wisconsin will be repealed by the next Legislature Vi
that State is strongly probable The people nave s"o
their power and hereafter II railroad officials are wse
it will be respected II the will be at an end and
peace and prosperity VIII prevail That the railroads
by gross cement partially, and unjust dis
crmnation have greatly exasperated the people OF inc
West is twicctold tale" They have brought upon
their heads the injurious legislation OF which they
now complain. Injustice leads TO injustice When par
ties get rage the paramount idea OF each side L.
how most to lnure the characterization, reason ana
sense are for the moment lost sghtof Mutual distress,
however at length brings both parties TO better state
of mind and leads each to give more consideration 10
the grievances, real imaginary ofthe other. Ihns
common understanding is evolved and solid founda-
| ton laid.
entertain no doubt that great good will grow out OF
this prolonged agitation The rights Of the people and
rights OF the railroads will be determined There Is
nothing SO certain to lead quarrels uncertainty or
confusion on these points. Where both parties mist
lose in fight lighting will take place, unless real
oense is committed which be settled in no other
way. People mot inclined to inlet deliberately
losses ana injuries upon themselves MANY Esteth
who have not taken the trouble to look beneath the
surface fppany condemn what seems to them suicidal
| folly on the part OF the Western people. The war
against discrimination and INJUSTICE is deemed by them
| species Of " Communism" But it is nothing OF the
kind. The Western people have ever been both liberal
and friendly to their roads, but this lberalty and
friendly feeling has been in many instances abused
| Hence the origin and necessity OF the Z" Granger
movement, movement not founded upon destructive
ness opposition railroads, but the rights OF
the people, which have long been set at naught by
IN wise aud selfish railroad managers. reform has
become absolutely indispensable, Iand widespread
reform will uuquesonaby be the result OF this contest
Nothing can be certain than that anything Ike
fair and honest action the part OF the railroads Will
put stop to all interference the part OF the people.
The discovered to what extent the popu-
lar illwill damage and embarrass Them Let them
now consider of what nestmable value 70 them would
be to secure the good will the people This they
easily do not by bribery but by policy OF fairness and
wise consideration. Such policy would be TO them "
| tower OF strength" The Potter law" the result
OF the bitter feeling which had been created Had the
roads acted with wisdom and trusted the people Instead
Of fighting them. such law would never nave oeen
passed. AS it is, its repeal Is foregone conclusion.
unless folly the part OF the railroads should renew
the hostility, which is now gradually dying out. 49,.
| The passage OF such law eould not nave Deen
secured during period OF great excitement aud
universal indignation II Is working severe injury 10
the state and repeal essential to the restoration
of confidence and Tue evil effects OF the law
confined the State OF Wisconsin Every western
state feels ts depressing influence. Capital has become
| alarmed, and Will build more roads and risk not
another dollar until security IL given ana confidence
restored The Potter law VII be repealed; ana no
farther Injustice the part OF railroad managers the
people are again "driven 10 the WALL" and compelled
against their wishes aud against tef interests 70 re-
| assert their power. j. EsAlAs "AHhES'
| Chicago H., Aug s. 1874