Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-08-13
Patrons VS.. Railroads.

The following is an extract from a
private letter to the Agricultural editor,
written by O very candid man, but he
evidently does not understand the po-
sition of the Patrons. He says:
"Is there not danger that the war the
Patrons are waging so furiously against rail-
roads will seriously injure the prosperity OF
the country? The people cannot do without
railroads, but with thref-fourths of the voters
pledged to their destruction, it will be almost
impossible for the roads to weather the storm.
II is no small matter. The railroads are APP
parently indifferent, but there is serious alarm
at headquarters, and many shrewd men are
privately selling their stock, even at
sacrifice"
So often has the position of the Pa
nsrelative to railroads beenexplained
we are somewhat astonished at man
of the general intelligence of our cor
respondent fallin into the errors of
the unthinking multitude. The Pat
IRONS are not opposed 10 any legitimate
and necessary occupation receiving
fair wages or reasonable profits.
There are some men engaged In
business which they think unnecessary
and useless, and are only a tax on
productive industry. These they are
ready to dispense with. But railroads
they consider as all impartant to the de-
veiopment and prosperity of the coun-
try, and that no State or country can at
this day do without them. Nor are the
Patrons so ignorant as to suppose that
men Of means will or should invest
their money in public improvements
without a fair and reasonable dividend
on the mount actually invested. The
Patrons are not agrarian Jewelers., nor
are they Fourier1tes as developed by
French Communism. They recognize
the right of wealth and concentrated
capital, but are in favor of their being
controlled as we'll as protected by law.
They know as we'll as others that the
vast improvements needed for commerce
can only be built by large means, which
men will not yield up to such purposes
unless they are protected in their rights,
and the security of their property guar
anteed. Without this protection there
would be no safety in property and the
advancement of the world be stayed at
midday. The Patrons are for progress
for the most stable guarantee of the
safety of property, and for every legiti-
mate business making good profits.
We lay down the following as the
platform of all intelligent Patrons, and
We demand and solicit full and free
comparison of the past acts or declara-
tons of the organs of the order by rail-
road men, implement manufacturers,
merchants or other business men.
1st. Railroads are a necessity, and
instead of being crippled, there should
be more of them, and to this end the
present real capital invested in them
should pay fair per cent. (say seven
per cent which is as much as perma-
nently invested capital should receive.
I'd. They are opposed to paying the
dividends upon the one thousand mil
lions of watered stock and bogus bonds
in the present railroads in the United
States.
3D.. They war Eot against real capital
invested, but against bogus bonds and
watered stock, extravaganza manage
ment, defiance of law, contempt for the
usua. restrictions and regulations of
trade, and unjust determinations.
4th. They demand that railroad man.
agement shall be economical In salaries,
rolling stock and station houses, there
by not contributing to the fashion of
the day In gaudy show and extravagant
folly.
9TH. They demand that passengers
shall be transported as rapidly as safe
ty will justify, and be treated with
courtesy and their baggage preserved
from general smash and destruction.
9th. That freights shall be reason
able, no tolls being levied to pay divi-
dends on watered stock or bogus bonds.
eth. That railroads shall contribute
their just proportion of taxes and nc
more, to support the Government.
Sth. That there shall be no more
Credit Mobilier rings, bogus construc-
ton companies, or corrupt favoritism tC
transportation companies.
9th. That there shall be no land
grants or bond subsidies to railroads.
10th. That railroads and people shall
obey the laws.
10th. That associated capital either
for banking, manufacturing, or i'm
provements is necessary and should b.
protected by law, and that capita
when so invested, when economically
managed, shall yield fair dividend
J But when such establishments are use(
to drive out private enterprises, so tina
they even demand enormous profits
they become public nuisances ant
should be abated by the concentrated
and combined action of the people.
18th. That when agents and runners
which are not necessary for furnishing
) the people with goods or produce, ad,
! to the cost of these things without an,
benefit to the mass of the people, thei
: agency should be abolished.
3 18th. That the Patrons hold as mos
a sacred under all circumstances, tn
a rights of property and its protection b,
: law, and that the most liberal induce
= ments should be presented by law an,
a the sentiments of the people, for tn
D profitable investment of capital so tina
e it will aid in improving the country
e and not be injured through the infu
f ence of unstable protection or the clam
v ors of Communists.
O These, we are prepared to say, are tn
t principles and opinions of the Patrons
O and if our friends can see in them any
it thing unjust or dangerous to the pros
Q perity of the country, we, as we'll as th
o order, are ready to receive light ON th
IS subject. But il is unjust to let our o,
n ponents set up code of principles fC
us, and then denounce them as DANCE
Gus to liberty or law.-Iowa Sta