The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-01-21
r.~;.,.tive supervision and Compe-
titi0m.


Editor Anti Monopolist -
In 1he discussion Of the legislation OF !"
last year, that resulted IN that aoort'on ~
or reform.-thc present railroad law CT
Senator Drade. who is easily the aolest IN
,nonopolist in the State, declared that as
he brought $4,000 into Minnesota and o.
invested it in railroad enterprises at n
the same time stating, if VIC remember n
his remarks correctly, that that invest 0
ment had yielded him no profit. We r
remember so much personal sympathy
was manifested that we suspected the
pending bill would be defeated in order
to give the worthy Senator chance to
get even With the world. Maturer re-
Election convinced his brother Senators
that if he had made no money directly
out Of his investment in Minnesota rail-
roads, vet his indirect profits must have
been very considerable, seeing that ms
home and all his surroundings were
those of wealthy man; consequently
thew sacrificed him, as they then
thought, upon the altar Of the necess'-
, ties Of the railroad party. We remem-
E Der, when you, Mr.. Editor. shook hanos
A With him across the bloody chasm'
;, that there was twinkle in his eye,
y which indicated that, though apparent
: " defeated, he was really triumphant.
q And 60 he was, for the railroad law OF
v last session, neither flesh, fish nor fowl
if having proved failure, will be quoted
s. as an objection to an effort to control
~ railroads by legislation.
,e This question has been put to ANTI
IN Mononolists: ssSenator Drake invests
= h;s fortune IN railroads. Mr.. A. in farm
o. inc. and Mr.. &. in milling. what right
~ :" has the legislature, or the people, to tx
~. the nr;ce at what the Senator shall sell
nix his transportation any more than to
'er fix the price Of Mr.. AS wheat or Mr.
as RS -four o. This question we propose
gs to answer. If the State has given tn
is Senator lands whose sales have wholly
ew or partially built his line OF railroad
md then he might properly say las trus
r tees Of the people We give you tines
ono lands to promote their welfare and W
:" have right to see to it that your roa
;" does not become their oppressor, Or
his other words, that your sales are not VI
rec inst or unreasonable. So, also, if tt
State surrenders to, or shares with II
,eat. Senator, a portion Of its sovereign
1913; nv allowing him to take private prope
Aels' ~ for his own use, then it could pro
neat, erly repeat the above language
I} ,Js But we will suppose that the road
built without any donation OF Ian
neat "an without bonuses Of any kind, and tn
''hels, the right of way has been voluntar
and cheerfully decided by those wh'
lands have been penetrated by the RI
lays road would the State then have
ether RIGHT to dictate to the Senator his sa
value of transportation!
'afeu We will even suppose that no char
1874 was granted by the State, no formal
of incorporation under general
S'H required, but that the Senator
SO built and owns his road just as
.. miller his mill, and even then 1t is q
Tx evident to US that the State has SUI
q, visory power over that road.
''' ~ The great province Of government
alx to see that every citizen is protected
re is the enjoyment Of his rights OF pei
nd 20 and property. No man has the
'. ~ 70 do as he pleases within is own.
: cir. natural right is limited by the pro-
wait. ton that he does not use his owl
cs are the injury of others, and the 81
om Jor through legislatures and councils
situa. decide when he transgresscs that |
= o,r. and here comes in the right and
hannel Of governmental supervision over
s, ana roads.
rs been The Senator'S railroad is pra'
binary monopoly Of certain territory
cue" fifteen miles on each side Of the t
Our The building Of rival road v
ndencv those limits is a business imposslt
4 Sac for it will certainly bankrupt its
o. FEB. ers and owners. Consequently
State has authorized and allowed
Senator to create this monopoly,
& Co. is always its duty to see that the
;. essary monopoly does not bee
direct evil to the people; or, IN
= * words, that just and reasonable
st: Of transportation are charged.
n;t.l is The Senator may say: 'if the
AIKEN by deems my rates too high, he
The rail- compelled to patronize me; bu
; did old. he can wagon his grain to ma
meant to That is not so. The business
ng US country, and the prices Of comm
improve ave adapted themselves to the T
We, Of system. so the farmer who wage
obviate grain 800 miles can not possibly &C
present With his rival who transports
that our rail. This is patent fact and
r ask the ment has no right to overlook il
mere fact adjacent farmers must use the s
lion. that rad or abandon their farms