Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-03-14
RAILROAD RATES.

site side to our views upon the subject OF rail-
road rates. We are pleased that our articles
have excited comment. mo. Z" pursues a
different fine of argument from that recently
used by "W. II. F. pa far more cunning line,
but a'course more difficult to follow and un-
derstand in connections with the subject under
consideration.
Demand and supply are both to be considered
when studying the markets, we are conscious
of. That wa depend TO a considerable extent
upon foreign demand is another fact which
is duly prominent among our ideas Of polit-
cal economy. That railroads spend much in
pomp and parade, aud that competition is a
good Thug are facts that have not been over
looked 10 our observations Of affairs. But be-
yond the mere recognition Of these facts we
are glad to be able 10 state that our correspon.
dent differs not more from US than we do from
him.
We were struck With the third paragraph Of
the communication. where, with lack of frank
ness, something Of vital necessity in any dis
cussion where benefit is the object sought,
StutCinout VI sohC uiOiSut 10 thCt " - hOu-
committal stand, backed by the assertion that
II the statement is fact, it must be legal, &c.
We do not believe the Western Changers are
sci Of rioters, ana have made no charges Of
illegality; but we do know Of regulations
that aresustained by legislative enac,ments,
which as commonly translated, means law.
Whether or not "No. 7" admits or denies, it
makes but little difference, inasmuch as the
statement is admitted by great many other
good citizens, intelligent men and enthusiastic
Changers, and few weeks ago by gentleman
who may belong TO the same lodge as our re-
specled correspondent.
Without any tresome detail of statement or
argument upon foreign demand we think we
are warranted liz saying that the Grange in
the West is directly and Immediately or d.
rectly and consequently responsible for the I'M
fortunate discrimination against US. Not
many years ago every available channel of ex-
preston was utilized to start the effort by
which the West could compete with US in our
markets. Then with the evidence before US
that on account OF the vast trade in the West
arose that fierce competition between the rail-
roads which have placed US att disad antage.
This may be regarded as a cause, not cutter
~ imperceptible," of those things that have
won "a name-railroad wars. These, too, are
facts, but not apparent in the correspondence.
The West have better rates than we; the
Grange in that section labored diligently and
successfully to that end and the railroads were
compelled TO make reductions to them at our
cost. Supply does have some effect upon the
market we believe, and the West can sell at
prices and with fair profit which would be
disastrous Tor MS. Competition exists in all
departments Of trade, nor IS apparent entire
ly in demand" Demand is a great factor,
and under this comes foreign demand, but
when il is so that in making out the price of q
bushel of wheat the cost of production is not
considered, It is certainly a very diseased state
of affairs. Our correspondent mentions both
supply and demand, but he magnifes demand
aud only modiies his views by the use of
the adverh "mainlyp 1ws have heen taught
to believe that in the wise economy of human
affairs happy balance has been placed be-
tween the two, and that happy balance is
mutual beneficial.
The closing paragraph by strained contor-
tons seeks to place US In a very ridiculous
light. We believe in governments, but have
no warm sympathy with ''class or sectional
legislation" To appropriate the genteman's
figure, it is just such an entirety that the
Grange is. Its policy has been for the inter-
est of one section, and the result has been to
the detrment of another One of our OBJ
jections TO the management of National affairs
by the Republican party is that they have en-
acted too much class aud sectional legislation
and it is just possible that such things can be
and are very bad.
We have placed the question before the peo-
pie with our views. As far as the Grange is
an advantage TO our farmers we are glad, yet
we fail TO comprehend the faultiness Of our
position and the correctness of the opposite
Col. r. Aston and o prominent Georgia
planter by the name OF Cox met in desperate
encounter at Atlanta, Ga on Tuesday last
Aston was au thorized TO sell Senator Cor
dams share of join. interest with Cox in the
lease of State convicts. The share was sold
IN a paroon d;sisk ad hv Nox Cax tooL ofaoc m