The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1881-04-01

Iit between the eyes. This Is TO be
done only hy invoking pepal legisla-
tionAnot by resorting merely TO civil
remedy, but by declaring them 10 he
violations of law. Let it be made
unlawful to exact an illegal raie of
freight, and punishable by imprison-
ment as against the officers OF the
corporation which receives It. 1t
can easily be shown what il fair and
reasonable fec or toll for Il given ser
vice. and tho burden OF proof, when
such a case Is brought into court,
should rest on those who affirm that
the toll is fair and reasonable one,
and that would be the railroad cem-
paay II they, having the evidence
which would show the fairness of
the charge, failed TO present 1t, they
should suffer the consequences.
Some gentlemen propose conieder-
ating railroads. Originally there
were four running from the East TO
the West. They put their power un-
der one man and pool their receipts.
All the profits of the four are divided
equally. They call themselves net
the Confederate States, but the con-
federate railroads. They have a con-
stitution in which they have divided
their departments into legislative and
judicial. They charge swhat they
please. They propose to destroy
competition. They will decide
whether rates shall go up or down.
The whole set of them are criminals
in the eve Of tho law. 1t has been
decided a hundred times that such
combinations are criminal conspira-
ey, for which every man concerned IN
them was liable to be arrested, tried
and imprisoned. Under fair compe-
ton, which is the life Of trade, these
companies would rival each other in
doing the people service ? Wha; is
the true remedy? The State, the
power that governs, the authority
that Yields the public power of the
country, has the right 10 prevent one
part Of the people from injuring an
other. You cannot make any law
in this country which will suspend
the operation of the eighth command
ment.
\ letter from Senator Window Of
more than ordinary interest, was read,
the closing sentences Of which We're IS
follows
The channels Of thought and the
channels of commerce thus owned
and controlled by one man, or by 4
few men. what i 70 restrain corporate
power, or to iix limit TO its exactlon
uyon the people What is then to
hinder these men from depressing
or initiating the value of all kinds Of
property TO suit their caprice or aver
lee, and thereby gathering into their
Golfers. the wealth of the Nation =:
What Is the limit 10 such power as
this > What shall be said OF the spirit
of a free people who will submit with
ourt protest to be bound hand and
foot / have limited 1t me Of thc
dangers which menace our future.
IL il be TO correct these evils and
avert these dangers your league has
been organized, il will receive the
bencdietious Of the people The
practical question i, What afc yea
/ going 10 d. about il = 70 iu5 t"iad
the answer : easy. This organized
gigantic corporate power can only be
kept under proper restraint ~ the
organized power OF the people, eS-
/ pressed through thcir STATE and A.-
ti9aal governments. That such g5F-
ernmea.al power exists and may
properly oe exercised ] have uot a
. particle OF doubt. II y plainly writ
ten in our constitutions, and ha- been
aaeqGiyocalIy declared by the ST.
preme Couri oI. tke tinted State.