The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-08-27
Deceptive Dcmagogism.

The leaders OF the Republican party In
Ohio, who have openly advocated the ex-
trcmcst form Of Communism in the dcspcr-
ate hope o. concilating the support Of the
laboring men, ARE seeking To dcude them
with expectation OF aid from Congress.
john SHERMAN followed in the footsteps of
STANLEY MATTHEWS and Judge WEST, in his
recent speech, when he expressed himself in
these words
"liy hope, then. that Congress will pass laws to
tabish aud limit maximum rates OF freight that the
production OF farmer may not be In danger OF conhca
ton by cxorba rates. that will limit and restrain the
cutting aud reduction OF ircights 10 destroy the
abiy railroad companies to pay lair prices for honest
ahor. and prevent tue companies from making paupcrs
OF men who perform essential functions IN commerce
Congress may thus, by wi~c general laws control pow
cr,ul corporations as well a. the humbest citizens
None of the trunk lines Of railroad hold
charters from Congress, and Congress has
no more to do with their business than with
the market bills Of their directors. They
are chartered by State Legislatures, and If
there is any combination among them hos
tile to agriculture, or to the laboring in
tcrest, u remedy can easily be reached by
sending representative men to the Lcgisla-
lures and by other methods which are prac-
ticahlc.
When the Granger movement was In its
first vigor, and threatened for time to
break through the lines of party organza-
ton, this same cry was raised by the Rcpubli-
can managers A committee was appointed,
and IA drcary report ended the matter. But
suppose it were competent for Congress to
lcgislate on railroad frcights and fares, how
would the case stand2 The House Of Repre-
scntativcs Is nearly balanced. with eight or
ten Democratic majority. The Senate IL
also close, with Republican majority
The fact 10 notorious that the Senate is
controlled by the great corporations and
that some OF the most distinguished Rcpub-
Leans are t." regularly retained counsel of
the companies wni2h have made themselves
most obnoxious to the pubic 32d have been
most oppressive 20 their employee. COZ
TOW SCorr and his associates would like
nothing better than to get this subject be-
fore Congress, where their money ant their
influence, derived from many sources, would
shape legislation to suit themselves.
1t will be Il sad day for the workingmen
OF the country il ever their cause is sur
rendered from the safe keeping Of their own
hands to selfish partsans, demagogucs, and
lllf fltNtH VI bit' Pltttt hi ''NN'i ~
submit the case to Il tribunal composed Of
JAY GOULD, Tom ScoTT, J. ". GARRETT, w.
II. Vanderbilt, and others like them, who
are the direct and visible representatives of
the mighty corporations. instead OF their
creatures. who can skulk behind parlia-
mentary devices and poison their arrows III
the dark corners of the lobby.
The Republican leaders who now propose
to postpone the day Of settlement, and
strive To dclude the suffering sons of toll
with treachcrous promises OF relief are re-
! snnnsihe for all the suffering which now af-
hiNt- nv So'.....s. $50. s..Ns's..'.,, .---
eNttavagancc and the wild speculation which
have ruined SO many thousands they prac-
ti-ed corruption; they debascd the currency
they plundcrcd the treasury; they de-
bauchcd the public mind and finally they
brought ON the collapse which has spread
| drsolatlou throughout the land. They are
the authors Of tn" existing misery. And. I.
cap the climax. they stole the Presidency in
order Ia retain power, 10 manipulate Tho
| Treasury for personal interests, and 10 pre-
vent the exposure Of their transactions.