Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-02-24
Il STORMY MEETING.

Legislature.
The Peninsuisr Peach Growers Assocta-
ton, according to call from Samuel
Townsend, E Il. Cochran and William
Green, met at Middletown Tuesda, after-
noon bt O'Clock.
There were about 81 proMuunt peach
growers present
The President OF the association, ex-
GovefnoI john p. Cochran, toyk the
chair a-d J Alexander Fulton, Z O., of
Dover, secretary, occupied ms pace.
President Cochran stated that the object
of the association bad always bseu to
secure reduction Of freight rates, and
now If any action could be taken towards
freeing them from monopoly 1t would be
desirable.
Meslrs Green. Williams, Townsend,
Fulton aud iygert were appointed Il Com
mittee on Resolutions.
Richard Smith asked that the oal for
the meeting be read. He questioned
the propriety of putting upon any COM
mittee any gentleman vino was not fruit
grower, referring to Mr.. fygert
Inc latter gentleman withdrew aud s. +.
Shuiicross WAS appointed in his place.
While this committee was out the case of
the growers was strongly state by several
members.
The committee returned before long
with series of resolutions and al address
TO the Legislature. Ihe resolutions are as
follows:
That it is the duty of legislators to grant
charters, under proper safe guards, to COM
panies asking them Tor the purpose of public
improvement, and especially when such i'm
provements are to be made without the aid of
the State and are to become competing lines
OF transportation and travel, thereby cheaper
ing both and thus diminishing the burdens of
the people.
That We recognize such an improvement in
the Delaware Western railroad, and respect
fully, but earnestly request our representa-
tives in the Legislature to give the bill
amending Its charter, their prompt and
hearty support, that if said bill, In it's present
form, docs not fully protect the right of the
state and her people. it ID the privilege and
the duty of tho Legislature to amend it 30
that it may do 30; but not to defeat it alto
Bether, or destroy its usefulness by improper
and unnecessary tinkering.
That in the opposition to this bill we recog-
nize the hand Of the Philadelphia, Whining
ton Baltimore Railroad Company, from
which for many years we have suffered indig
unity, extortlon and insult, borne because here
totore we had no escape, and we cell upon our
representatives iii the General Assembly, now
that there is chance at least OF partial relief,
to array themselves upon the side of the
people against their opppressor. That there
Id no neutral ground III this contest those
that are not with us are against us.
That committee of seven be appointed by
the President of this Peninsular Peach
Growers Association, to go to Dover, end
present copy of these resolutions TO the
Legislature, together with such address or
memorial as they may deem advisable to
appear before any committee having the
matter in charge, il they have an opportunity;
and In general take such measures as shall
best promote the views embraced in these
resolutions.
That We tender our thanks to the indepen-
dent press of this State that has so maniuliy
stood by the people III their struggle against
power and oppression.
That we ask all newspapers in Delaware
that sympathize with us III our efforts to
obtain relief from the oppression Of presum-
ing and tyrannical monopoly,to publish these
resolutions.
Inc following address was presented al
the same time and read after iha resulu-
llCns:
To the Honorable the Senate and House OF
Representatives OF The Stale of ielauare :
The fruit growers of the Peninsula know that
the power to redress their long borne griev-
ances exists i'll the Legislature. Common
reason assures them that the claims of extor-
TONERS to perpetuity of privileges, unless
such be founded by divine authority" are
subject to human restriction. No constitu-
ton could establish them no precedent could
,anctify no length of time confirm them
In accordance with the enlightened view of
the law. now everywhere taken by the courts,
the fruit growers would have applied to your
honorable bodies for direct relief from q
wicked and blind discrimination against our
commodity. and the most excessive rate of
freight levied upon any producer in the
United States but, learning of the efforts OF
of q great corporation to build rival line
across our State, converting Il city within our
own borders into accompanying point, therefore,
making legislation, il necessary, i'll the future
much more effective, We declare, in our
opinion, our interests will be conserved by the,
if possible, near approach of competition,
with the awakening of public sentiment to
the enormity of the otfenses against the
people by these vast and powerful creatures.
We approve the Cahall resolution unani
mously passed by your House. understanding
it to declare for the principle that there
should be no mysteries i'll the grant of a rail
road charter, everything uncovered, nothing
kept back by the petitioners from youi
sovereign bodies.
We pronounce for road actually to be
built and not for charter ouly. without
reasonable and ordinary guarantees of faithful
acceptance and execution.
The State can in no sense be required to
constitute guardianship for any company
nor is it necessary for F., w. d b. officials to
he solicitous that You should control the
Judgment of rival officers as to that which
concerns for better or worse the new enter
PRISE. Full option should be given to prefer
ences, either TO take n charter by purchase OF
directly from your honorable bodies without
cost.
We welcome the assistance of any citizen
toward forming any possible combination oil
capital by which. either in trade, manufacture
or transportation, an exacting and blighting
monopoly may be ended for the community
have as much right to the use of two rail
roads as any smaller number of individuals
have to the use of or choice among plurality
of stores, hotels or manufacturers
We, the shippers upon the line of the Della
ware railroad, repel with indifference the
threat Of the p, W. & B. to make up by in
creased charges upon our tributary road the
losses of trade by the competition of IL riva
for through traffic
If We have formed true conception of the
policy executed by President Hinckley and car
be certain OF anything, we know that his rult
has been to put upon all freight 'all that II
would bear" He has never recognized any
duties except to his stockholders. Upon nc
class OF goods can he make more eXactions
without decreasing net receipts. Upon an IN
dlvldual, by the supnenness of the people hit
power might be untayorable, but as people
we nave no fears.
We remark, not with astonishment az We
know the iron grip and assertion OF this
monopoly, the position OF the T., W. " H.
openly opposing the rights of the people fol
TRANSFORMATION necessities.
What standing before your honorable
bodies have their paid counsel and Lobbyists
ON question involving neither their right