The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1875-03-18
THE CHANGERS.
The Changers held State Convention
at Columbus last week, and among 9th

The Changers held State Convention
at Columbus last week, and among 9TH
ers, passed the following resolution:
- Res0seed. That railroads are public highways,
and therefore, that the individuals who man
age them are public servants to b. controlled
by the laws of the State. Therefore we demand
that such laws shall be enacted as will bring
these corporations fully within the control OF
the State authority.
That settles the question of the future
construction of railroads. 1t is the same
principle which has been carried out in
some of the western States, and it has
stopped tine operation of the railroads
2 1t is bold claim that law may be
passed to confiscate the property of the
people. when that property is invested in
a certain kind of business.
If the Government. either State or Ma
tional, has right to take control of rail-
road property, surely the Government
has a right to aid and assist such proper
: ty. as we'll as the right to cripple and
destroy it. But the Changers will not
permit this. if the following resolution
means anything:
course of the National Grange at its last meet
ing, in Charleston, 8. c., far relates TO the
passage of resolution recommending that The
United State- Congress grant Government aid
to the Texas Pacific railroad that this action
its part is in violation of the fifth section OF
the National Declaration of Principles, and
unwise, tending to foster corruption and mo-
nopolies, upon which we have set our seal o
condemnation.
Al. Il -
condemnation upon monopolies, they
say; but if there ever was an attempt tc
foster more gigantic monopoly than
that in which these men are now engag
ed, we would like to hear of it. A mon
ster combination is formed, and has be
come so powerful that the cowardly pres.
is PROSTATE at its feet, ard legislator!
and courts cover before it. The objec
of this combination of monopolists is, t.
crush down railroads, so that they car
demand their own prices for their prod
ucts. Like all monstrosties, this thin;
will overleap itself. If it once be settlec
in the courts OF the United States tina
the Government has right to fix th'
price of railroad freights, to suit the de
mands of these monopolists, the laborin;
millions who consume the products o
the farm, the bread and meat the butte
and cheese, will demand that the price
of these vital necessities also be fixed b,
law, and at such a figure as they deen
proper. These millions OF consumer
will be voters, and with able leaders cal
control legislation to suit their purposes
and they can carry out against the farm
ers the very same principles that the.
now bring to bear against the railroads
The Grangers may fnd when it is to-
late, that honesty, and common sense
are the best policy.
We have frequently stated, within Iii
past year or two, that the Granger wa
upon railroads had effectually stoppet
the construction of railroads. This
now made fully manifest in the case o
the Narrow Gauge railroad, from Spring
field by way of jackson to Pomeroy II
this part of Jackson county there are n
Changers, and the required amount 0
stock for the road was subscribed at once
OuI all Ol tue OLu6F COunIleS, WHICH
are vastly richer than jackson county
the quota cannot be raised and in al
these counties the Grangers contro
everything. Chillicothe has been taLkin
railroad all the time, but she can d
nothing Cor any road, because her people
and her press, are under the heel of thi
gigantic monopoly. Circleville is in tn
same condition. Men who have none
are not going to invest it where it can
coniscated and taken from them Th
rich agricultural regions between tn
iron and coal fields and Springfield
would be vastly enriched by railroa,
communication, and the people ther
seem to understand it, yet they will pan
der to monopoly which renders tn
construction of railroad impossible.
We need not say that we favor tn
farming interest. Thirty years of ou
life were spent in this agreeable ant
healthful business. We labor for the in
terest OF the farmer more than we do 70
that of the iron manufacturer or the Goa
operator; but we honestly believe tha
the farmers are erecting a structure
which some blind Samson will pull dowl
upon their heads. and spread destruction
far and wide.