The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-24
TWO LIVE QUESTIONS.


WHY SHOULD NOT LABOR HAVE LEGISLATIVE
EXPERIMENTATION? -wHY SHOULD THERE BE
NO GOVERNMENTAL CONTROL OYER Rail-
ROADS?
70 THE EDITOR HERALD
Terrible fears are being expressed by many writ ers
in the press the efforts being made by workingmon
to found new political party All trade unions are
condemned. Mr.. Shermans expression OF opinion In
his speech lately delivered In Ohio has also becn
mentcd on unfavOraby. Now, would simply ask Tho
questions, Why should the establishment OF trade
unions be against tho public weals why should tho
workingmen not have representation in Congress :
why should there not DO established a bureau OF
railroad control9 We find to-day that ali profess
sons trades and manufactures have organizations
advance and protect their special interests; many
papers aud other periodicals to enlarge the sphere
OF their business and advertise their goods, &c We
also find that all our political bodies have special
ganztons to forward the interests OF individuals aud
general associations to forward the interests OF tho
whole party. We find that railroad companies mining
companies and other bodies combine to put up rates
OF fare, freight coal ana other goods. The union prn
cipe is tho foundation OF naton, OF bust
ness social life and Of professions and yet
the mechanic and aborer is blamed for adopting the
same policy to protect his interest," They alono
onsm of the capitalist ana employer The idea is Alb
surd and any far minded admit that, the
troubles existing havo been mainly caused by the
pressure OF combined cSpital against the working
classes, tho natural and lawful result BIO for
them to form combinations TO resist the pressure.
This Is not Communism, but the first law OF naturc,
self-defence.
LABoRs CLArH TO SHARE IN LEGISLATION.
Why should not the workingmen have fair repre-
sentaton In Legislatures and Congresss All other
classes have II, especially railroads What has been
the dark spot in all legislative bodies for last
twenty yearsf Railroads. Have not the man factu-
always had strong representation In Congress
Have they not by their selfish policy destroyed our
foreign trade, and have they careful 10 pro-
tect themselves and at the time expose their
poyGs 10 the competition of the whole world by en-
couraging free Immigration to overcrowd our labor
market Can any one deny this ,ruthfullyf Has
nation should have their chosen representatives on
the floor OF Congress TO defend their interests! be-
hevc II has, and my only fear is that the aboring
masses Will not DO true TO themselves, but VIII be led
by false issues from putting their ballots in the
right place This is not Communism but Is the just
and legal right OF every class oil citizens 10 be repre-
sented IN national councils.
CONTROL RAILROADS
Finally, why should we not establish bureau for
the control Of railroadsr Railroads not private
or personal investments such the ordinary
tile adventure. They are national and International
from every part oil the world. Therefore no railroad
should be commenced without the permission OF the
nj l0nal government; no stock should be issued
loans contracted or mortgage gwen except on the ap
proval OF the proper authory no dividend should DO
declared until The proper examination aue
ascertain If II was bona tide from earnings 'bogus'
from capital stock could be watered then upon
the simple "tat OF Scott Vanderbilt, Fisk Gould.
Let our citizens reflect upon the history OF our rail-
roads Tor the past thirty years. and ask themselves II
u change in our systcm is not needed Inasmuch
railroads, mining companies, &c take the money
OF all classes OF people and from all parts Of the globe
In lduciary capacity, SO Is our government bound
to $50 far posslbe) that the affairs Of these
are properly administered in order that
If loss does come 1t shall be honest loss and not
magnates. II national banks, insurance companies
and savings banks are under official supervisi0n SO
should railroads, mInes &C, be included. The rates
o freight, wages, &c. then be and should be Lett
capital and resources of the roads honestly and prop
ery, out the watcrcd stock there will be
OCCASION even IN these hard times to the work.
lngmcn Of these corporations. II Is absurd for the
Baltimore aud Ohio Railroad to attempt pay ten per
cent in these times and the New York Central eight
per cent IL can only be done by SHINING the road
and the employees. The Supreme Court decided the
Granger cases that State has right to regulate the
tolls of railroad and even oil the gram elevator coni
panies in their charges, and view the control OF
the federal government over all common carriers In
their Interstate and international relations naturally
follows II 1t does not, then amend the constitution
and give the national government the necessary power
l am not IN favor oil violence interfering with the
rights or property OF my fellow citizens But am
frmly convinced That change IN these must
increase our standing army and place garrisons all
through the country, when will be public calamity
and sad reflection upon our once prosperous Repub
lie PUBLICO