The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1879-03-06

We earnestly opposed the passage of
Ar. Riggs' railroad bib, for reasons we
leariy and fairly stated, and which
seemed to us sufficient. But it is proper
70 say, and this is good time to say it,
that there Is just cause for complaint
against many of the railway corpora
tons Of Kansas, and their managers
will be wise if they heed the warning
they have received this winter, and
endeavor to remove, as Ear Is possible,
the grievances that have provoked in SO
many localities such bitter hostility
against railways. II they fail to do this,
the time will come when they will pay
the penalty, In full measure, for their
folly. 1t is apparent that the Riggs
bill. and even one of far more arbitrary
would have passed the Leg
islature by an overwhelming majority
had it not been for the opposition of To-
calities that are interested in proposed
new railways, or extension of old roads
and who feared that legislative inter-
ference at this time would have a ten
dency to check railroad construction.
Within few years this friendly element
will be lost to the railways. What then:
Is i not clear to the dullest comprehen-
sion that they must rely, for exemption
and arbitrary legislative interference.
upon kindly feeling upon the part of
the State? Can they possibly hope thai
such telling will prevail if the causes
which have, in the past, provoked such
wide spread and bitter enmities against
them, continue to exist: The Lawrence
Standard, paper which earnestly fa-
yored the Riggs bill, summed up some
of the reasons for legislation against
railroads in the following article:
I'VE have, during the past several
years, and esEe tally during the pas,
few weeks. dwelt at considerable length
upon the financial, or commercial phase
of this questioI-of the manner in which
the railroads Of the State had discrimin-
ated in their freight rates to the injury
oflocalitics, of how the trade of some of
our towns has been practically destroy
ed by determinations in freights against
them. of how, when many millions OF
money in Kansas lands, Kansas bonds
and Kansas cash, have been appropriate
ed to their construction, these roads
have apparently bent their every effort
to the destruction of every Kansas in
terest: have driven or are driving out
of the State or destroying every Kansas
wholesale firm and building up n great
commercial center in neighboring
State till there is scarcely town in the
State that has not suffered in the loss OF
valuable wholesale dealers, forced out
by these unjust and inexcusable dis
examinations. These are facts that are
not and cannot be denied or justified on
any principle of business honesty or
fairness. The roads are owned and
managed by men who have no interest
in common with the people Of our State
and no regard for the equitable or even
legal obligations assumed by their cor
porations in accepting the millions OF
Kansas aid consumed in their construc-
lion. and 10 sympathy for those who
have been the victims of their duplici,y
and grasping avarice."
A Lawrence paper has a right to say
all this of the rail road corporations. for
so far as that city is concerned. every
word is true. But such an arraignment
is not just as applying to all the commu-
mites of the State. 1t is just, however.
in many essential particulars, as apply
ing to many cities, towns, and sections
of Kansas. and, in some particulars. as
APPLYING to the whole State. il j.
not just. applied to all the railways
of the State in all its particulars
but all the allegations are true concern
ing the action of some of the rail-
WAYS. and a few of them will justly at
tach to all the railways. There is. there
fore. an imperative demand for radi-
cal change in the policy of the railroad
management OF Kansas, as affecting
Kansas towns and interests. And II
those who shape and control that policy
are the prudent and sagacious men they
ought to be TO have charge of such vas
interests, they will recognize this de-
nand. The laws now on our statute
books affecting railways are not OPP
pressiye or unjust, and they ought TO be
obeyed, in letter and in spirit. Kansas
towns and Kansas interests ought to be
protected, promoted, and Disseminated.
IN favor of. every possibly way by Kan
sas corporations. The trade and bust
ness of Kansas merchants ought to be
promoted, always and in all possible
wavs, by Kansas railways. The com
nercial centers of our own State ought
to be and must be protected and buit
up by railway corporations created by
Kansas laws, enriched by Kansas lands
and bonds, and in many instances en-
tirely built by subsidies secured by
Kansas influence or given TO Kansas for
all internal improvements. The people oil
this State have just right to complain
when their interests. i'll any of these
particulars, are either ignored or dis
eliminated against. And they will do
so. The railroad managers have had
fair warning this winter, and a narrow
escape. We hope the lesson will no; bt
lost. Let them address themselves dill
gently to the work Of conciliating pub
lie sentiment in the State by promoting
Kansas interests in all possible ways.
and by building up Kansas commit
mites, by maniiesting a just respect for
Kansas laws, and by discriminating
whenever Determinations are made IN
fivor of Kansas business and people. Ii
they will follow such line of policy.
they will never have any trouble with
the Legislature. Ii they fail to do so.
the time will come when they need
friends, and will appeal for aid in vain
The people are stronger than any cor
poraiion, or than all of them combined
And there is feeling abroad in thi.
tons no good unless they make rad
ical change in their policy towards Kan
sas interests.-Atchisoa Champion.