New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-08-10
CONGRESS AND THE RAILROADS..


Shall the existence Of free government in
this country depend upon tho ability of that
government 30 control the railway system
The Republicans of Ohio have done what in
them lies to make this the paramount question
In politics. Once moro they will find, we
trust, that living issues cannot thus be
svaded. 1t was their duty to speak plain
II in defence of the National honor. They
owed & hearty support to Secretary OF
the Treasury from Ohio, who is doing his best
10 maintain that honor. But they were afraid.
The strike was recent, and sympathy for the
strikers was popular, ana tho shallow dema
QOgues thought it q good thing to dodge the
question OF resumption, and TO propose regu-
,atlon by Government Of the rates for trans
portation and the wages Of workmen. The
dcmacoguc spoke, and patriotism took nap.
Men of narrow mind fancy that the railway in
te1est prompts all opposition to this scheme, but
in truth there is no one thing which would suit
railway managers better, or for which they
would be more willing TO pay money, than the
regulation of rates and wages by the Federal
Government. For they have lcarned-if ignor-
ant Communists and thin-witted demagogues
have not-that il is easier and cheaper to con
troll one Congress than thirty-ci9ht Legsia-
lures. The Communist fancies that, because
his vote will be wanted by political parties,
he can extort such wages as he pleases. Has
Le not yet learned the truth that political
parties always give to labor inexpensive
1attery in resolutions, while the substantial
advantages they always save for the men who
have money TO spend in the campaign I
The Democrats of Connecticut gave resolutions
to the wOrkingmen, and the ScnatOrship to
Mr.. BaTnum-whOse money was freely spent.
The Republicans Of Pennsylvania make plat
forms TO please labor, and legislatures 10
please Scott. What sturdy and hard-handed
friend of labor proposed the resolution which
the Republicans of Ohio adopted with cheers :
Was it not the same Stanley Matthews who
presided over Col. SCOTS Icxas-Pacifc Con
ventIon at st. Louis not very long ago /!
Does the Communist really believe that
Col. scott is intensely hostile TO government
control OF railways
Let US see the practical workings Of this
scheme The Government, we viii suppose,
determines to adopt the plan. Property be
longing TO railway owners, and controlled by
railway managers, viii be worth two thousand
millions at the Stock Exchange, if they can
succeed in controlling Congress. 1t will be
worth nothing if they fail. Necessarily, this
vast capital concentrates; its managers unite
aud act As one man for the common defence.
What viii be the natural influence OF such Il
combination 1t can bring the strongest pos
sibe temptation TO bear upon manufact-
ureIs, merchants and miners N any State; il
can dazzle any bright lawyer with the most
splendid fees it can add thousands TO the
value Of many farms, or take away as much it
can spend millions III any State or district to
ensure Lhe election of trustw orthy friends
How are Representatives and Senators elected !
Is 10 not notorious that money rules nOmi-
mating conventions IN many districts already,
and Legislatures in many Statosl Has not
the man who can spend money literally in
" the canvass already q tremendous adyan-
tage with those vino control parties in many
districts and States But ii this is 50 now
when no great combination Of capital extend
ing throughout the country ia forced % pro-
tect itself by controlling Congressional cleo
tons, what would be the result IN the event
supposed 1t is certain that the cost of cam