Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-10-02
SEPTEMBER %. 1880.
TOTHEFARMERS OF DERIkE.
LEY.
HON. c. T. BUTLER.


An effort is being made to prejudice Senator
Butler With the special friends OF the b. " y. H.
X. by representing that be Is al enemy OF that
corporation. No statement could be more aOSurd
aid false. Mr.. Butler is man of too much
sense not to estimate the benefits which he, in
common with our whole community, derive from
that great enterprise. No man would stand By
that road, 10 the maintenance of all is chartered
rights more firmly than he would. But there Is
not ore man so Uniformed in this community
that docs not know that the B. " o. r. K. com-
plny, in It's fearful competition VITA the New
Yorf, Boston ard Philadelphia roads, has been
compelled to make great Determinations III lis
lreights to the disadvantage OF the farming inter-
ests OF this lower Valley. Why is il that the best
Berkeley and Jeffers on lands now command but
$40 or $50 per acre, wien some years ago they
would have command, double that price Sim
ply because it costs farmer in Berkeley and
Jcffe:so more TO transport his products to mar
let than ii costs farmer in Illinois aud Missouri
Now, il is not asserted that the railroad conpa-
ny violates its charter in this system OF dscriml.
nation; yet, il is natural for the farmers who
suffer from j., TO complain of its results upon
their prosperity. and II possible to rectify the
grievance rnler which they labor. This has
been the full extent of Mr.. Buffers offending
He is farmer; all that he possesses is Invested
in agriculture; he lives IN and represents farm
ing constituency. Was il natural, therefore, he
should even at the peril of beirg denounced as
opposed 10 the railroad, by stern legislative
measures seek to change this system of dIscrimi-
nation against our farming interests 1t is true
Vice-Prt sident keyser made many points, in the
policy of the company, clear 10 our people which
were not before fully understood, and after his
able and luminous expeditions, much OF the I'M
friendly feeling Of the Legislature abated, and all
harsh measures against the company were aban-
doncd. But Is this course of Mr.. Butler's, In
community of FARNEns, TO be urged as an OBJ
lection TO his re election? IL a farmer himself,
and ore representing farmers, cannot institute
legislative erqnmy into the relations between the
B. 4 O. K. R. and the agricultural interests OF
this District We had better abolish our lcgisa-
turr, and submit ourselves at orce to the govern
ment OF the President and Directors Of this en-
terprising corporation. BE not deceived, Broth
er Farmers. Mr.. Butler took no step in the leg
islature that an honest aud faithful guardian OF
YOUR rights ought not TO have taken. He has
done nothing which even the r. IL o. K. II. can
Justly complain Of. Butler is your friend and
has been your friend. II he had erred, 1t would
only have been an excess OF zeal for your rights
and interests; are you going TO permit such
man as this 10 be put down by few hot-headed
attorneys about Charlestowp, who seem to re-
gard the whole power of the District as centered
in themselves ?
1t Is said our Legislature Is filed with lawyers
and of this many farmers complain. But here
you have n firmer-Onp, now OF four years eX-
rience In the Senate-one whose fidelity has BEEN
tried, who has proved true to you. Are you GO
ing To abandon him? II So, let the farmers never
hereafter complain that they have no guardian
OF their interests in the Legislature.