The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-09-20

could find no means to market, although a
railroad might pass their door. The rates
were exorbtant, or no cars could be had, or |
the "rng" might be selling the products or
goods The grievance became intolerabe
and honest men, with one voice, demanded |
that the power of monopoly should be brok-
en- and the rights Of the citizen respected
Hence ii is that we find in the new con-
stitution, article IL, the following sections
SEC. 3. All individuals, associations and
corporations shall haye equal right TO have
persons and property transported over rail-
roads and canals, and no undue or unreason.
able discrimination shall be made in charges
for or in facilities for, transportation of
freight or passengers within the state or
coming from or going to any other state.
Persons and property transported over any
railroad shall be delivered at any station at
! charges not exceeding the charges for trans
portation of persons and property of the
same class in the same direction to any more
distant station but excursion and commu-
tation ticFets may be issued at special rates.
SEC. Z. No discrimination in charges or
facilities for transportation shall be made
between transportation companies aud ind-
viduals, or in favor of either, by abatement,
drawback or otherwise and no railroad 0
canal company, or any lessee, manager or
employee thereof, shall make any prefer
ences in furnishing cars or motive power.
And As if seeing with the eye of prophecy
the opposition with which these sections
would be met the convention added:
SEC. II The general assembly shall en-
force, by appropriate legislation, the provis-
ions of this article.
The members of the legislature swear to
of this commol wealth." and yet with the
duty there in written, "the general assembly
shall enforce by appropriate legislation the
provisions" of article II, no law has been
passed to carry out these provisions. The
wrongs of the people in this regard remain
unredressed, and the strong arm of cotpor.
ate power continues to nppress unrebuked
And when last winter the suffering oil inter.
ests of our state, employing IA vast amount OF
capital and thousands of laborers, ven,ur d
to approach the legislature Tor relief and to
J point to the constitution as the ground OF
their petition, they were laughed TO scorn
and turned naked away. 1t was fruitless ioI
the present democratic candidate for COVER
nor, then senator, to make earnest plea fol
the rights of the people against the greed OF
monopolies, for, as he spoke,on of the lead
ers of the republican ring like he s,rpen
at the ear of Eve, was whispering poison tC
those who knew not what it was to disobeS
his nod.
Defeated but not dismayed, the oil mer
returned to their wells with firm purpose t.
teach their oppressors, by the ballot, tn,
measureess depth of their wrongs Blu
happily just then the republican state con
vention, composed in part of members of tn
legislature met in Harrisburg but few step
from the spot where the free pipe bill ha'
: been murdered, and with anxious concer
passed this resolution
Sixth, That we view with alarm the grow
, ing depression of many of the leading trad
. interests of the state and country, resulting
, partly, it is believed, from unfair advantage
q and discriminating rates of freight and trans
portaton privileges given by many trans
! portation companies of the country to ia
, vored few to the prejudice of our geners
= producing interests, and this convention cal
nesty recommends the enactment of sue
laws by the state and national Legislature
!. as will correct this growing evil.
:. If the alarm was sincere the republca
= legislature could speedily have removed
a for it was then in session. This periorman,
n was a pretense and fraud, and so INTEL
/. gent men OF all parties must regard it. II
l. republican managers will discover that mi
of is for babIe-, but that strong men want mes
I'd Nor should the recent action of Gov. Hal
rs ranit As to the quo warrantO proceeding
i'll Venango county pass without brief motto
r. He had long been familiar with the grie
ances of the oil men and he had witness
L. the unequal contest they waged before t
te legislature One brave word from him tn
h. would have saved their cause but it W
Is aot spoken. He remained silent as dea
,t when speech would have been golden, al
ty he must not hope now, when the storm
IN the peoples wrath is gathering, to save
az sinking cause and candidate by writ fro
~ any court, A quo warranto may do maj
p. things but it cannot elect Hoyt governor I!
IS STATE EXPENSES.
" Ring rule has brought with it, of course
Oi large increase in the annual expenditure
l. cannot refer to these in detail but as a fs
ID sample of the system of ring rule | select 4
De expenses of the executive in 1861, the ye
he before the war, under Governor Curtin, al
ig the expenses of 1877, under Governor HaI
II ranft
UNDER CURTIN.
:; Governors salary ry....................S4,O goo
Private taTy........................ bOO
- acknowledgements. '....'''''''''' ouu
Repairs to executive mansiOn.o.... $50
Total l...,,..,...'.'',,.....''''' ''''.''SoitoV
% UNDER HARTRANFT.
80 Governors salary..........,...........S
Private secretary ry....,..........,.,'.'.. Z,Ouu