The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-03-11

towards an advocacy Of s.legisiation for
the exclusive benefit Of the Granger ele-
ment.n 1t advpcases legislation for the
protection Of the grand primary inter-
lests OF the whole Commonwealth, as
based upon the pnrsuits and produo,s of
agriculture, against mischievous combi-
nations an antagonism with those great
national interests. II the Granger ele-
inent happens to be embraced within
those interests, very well. But the doc
trine advocated is infinitely wider than
the Granger element, or amy other single
element; and II the Granger element be-
comes the means Of enforcing sach legis-
lation, again We say, very well; but the
legislation is, nevertheless. not for the
''exclusiye benefit" OF that element; !;
nor would it be so intended By them
selves.
Furthermore, our correspondent Is ev-
identity troubled in his mind on the mat
ter connected with that spectral idea
embodied in what he calls "class legis-
lation." He thinks that this legislation,
such as We have referred to, is identical
with this dreaded class legislation; at
least he says Tor the life Of him he scan
not see the difference" Certainly we
have no imputations to make against the
power of Intellectual discernment as
possessed by our worthy and intelligent
| correspondent. And yet we must most
respectfully aver that the legislation al
luded to does not contain one single ele-
ment Of class legislation.
To legislate in behalf Of any great fun
damental interest Of the country, for its
promotion, its protection, or Its preser-
walton, is mot class legislation by
any manner OF means. We have laws
| for the protection Of farmers sheep and
stock; laws Furnishing oriminally any
wanton injury done to farmers grain
stacks, growing crops, fences, fruit or
timber trees.-an for the special benefit
of the great agricultural interest OF the
country; and yet no man has ever been
found to declaim against this as "class
Legislation" Indeed, the only instance
of class legislation, the evils Of which
our correspondent SO seriously breads,
lis to be found, If found at all, In those
grants of exclusive privileges conferred
upon the great corporations alluded to,
by special legislative charters. There
lis where the evils Of class legislation are
most obvious. And this is exactly the
Legislation that we did not advocate.
To legislate for restraining. or for
Furnishing any great wrong-doing against
any grand primary interest Of the
Commonwealth, is altogether free
from the taint Of class legisla-
ition. The law Furnishes those who
by embezzlement or otherwise de-
fraud a corporation; and yet it is not
class legislation, though exclusively for
the protection Of ofcorporations, The law
may and does intarpose ITS strong arm
of restraint and Of punishment against
wrong doing or oppression towards par
ticular branches Of industry; and yet 1T |
is not class legislation. And there is i
M branch Of productive indusS.sry thast
has been more wrongiuliy or oppressive
iy dealt with and combined against than
the great agricultural interest Of the
Commonwealth. We therefore repeat
and reaffirm what we said in
the article alluded to By our
correspondent. that this great interest
ssmust needs enforce Its rights, and de-
tend against wrongs by the proper ap.
peal to the law-making powers OF the
land" Ithas no other legitimate method
otdoing these things, and SO doing 10
an infinite remove from 'ciass legisla-
tions" -.,
As to matters referred to by our corre-
spondent under that comprehensive cpl
thet-''bosh," we have no answer to
make. We never reply to boshl