The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1878-05-23
A Few Suggestions.

SEVERANCE, KAN, May ls, 1873.
Ed. CHlEf:-l wish to ask a few questions, through
your columns, of the officers of the ST. Joe Denver
City Railroad; also, to make some suggestions of vi
tai importance to us, 1.-THE farmers of the western
part of Doniphan County) providing railroad officers
ever study the welfare of the people. l. in common
with other farmers in this vicinity, have grain SELL
and would like to obtain fair prices others sit
ated as far from market We are, but cannot, for
the following reason, to wit: the exorbitant rates
charged from this point to st. Joseph, which is for
n car load of q, 600 pounds $500; while from High
land Station to Atchson, it is only sl2OO for 2sGOO
pounds Now, if the small amount of business done
is the reason for higher rates in the West than are
asked in the East, how you thus discriminate in
favor of your rival, the A. e. n Railroad! The re-
suit of this is, that five miles south of this place.
farmers haul their grain to Atchson three miles
north, to Highland Station; northeast of here, to
Tanning; and southeast, to Brenner According to
market reports Of May IL, 1873 corn Kansas mixed,
was quoted at JOs to 81 cents in New York. At the
rates charged from here to st. Joe, it would cost
s26O per bushel to transport grain to New York a
losing business to the shipper, you must admit. Now,
to the farmers along the line of your road Won must
look for its support. Can you expect aid or good
will, unless You treat fairly. Laying aside the
fact that you, in common with other roads in the
State, received share of the State lands and $780,
600 from Doniphan County. although you may not be
able to compete with Eastern roads rates. vet YOU
might give the benefit of as low rates as the A. &
n Road gives to shippers along its line. Now, gem
tlemen, study this proposition little. Would it not
be better for you to work for little less per car
and do more business, than compel the producer to
seek other avenues by which to bring his produce to
market! If you cannot do this, it might be policy to
eut down the wages Of the working men the line
of the road and the mechanics in your shops. They
are poor, and, like us, cannot resist your demands
If you cannot vie with Eastern roads in carrying
freight you must keep up appearances, and the saa-
res of your officials that they may ride in glded cars
and dole out to the aborer that has borne his bur-
den in the heat of the day, his scanty wages. But
don't make his life all dark. Give him now and then
holiday-say on election days. in the afternoon let
him have his time, and 10 il that he has plentiful
supply of overjoyful, and show your interest in him
and his-your friendship and appreciation of him.
Take him by the arm, and accompany him to the
pols and let him vote, las you him to that he
may feel the dignity of being an American freeman
By doing this, You Representatives that
will oppose the regulation of freights and rates on
railroads by law, and perchance through them, Uni
ted States Senators that would be subservient to the
will Of the people, las expressed above; then we
will get our dues, and, for instance, the poor
chanic who lives here and paid rs cents cents freight
from Atchison to Troy Junction, and s275 from the
Junction to Severance, will be satisfied flor he then
can pay big freight all tho way) that You labor
ing for the interest of the people, and sustain the
dignity of railroad corporations. And, should you
feel aggrieved at the insinuaton that railroad
companies or do control votes and legislation,
will cheerfuy point out instances of some very Pc
cuar tactics in Kansas legislation, that my friends
and neighbors will thoroughly understand and then
j. W. GAREN