The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-07-14
DOES MIGHT MAKE RIGHT.

DOES MIGHT MAKE RIGHT.
The Tables Turned-A HaCkmsn Who Und srstands
The Rules Of Railroad Tariff.
Virginia New Chroniclel
A communistic person Identified with the dan.
gerous classes Of the COmstock and notorious for
his disregard Of truth aud contempt for vested
rights, has Just returned from a visit to San Fran.
cisco. This morning he endangered the good
name Of the Chronicle by entering Its editorial
room, The nihiliBt declared that he had "a good
thing on Stanford and Steve Gage" but he sup
posed the Chronicle like the rest OF the corrupt
ana time serving press, would be pfraid to pub
lish It.
Tell your story" said the editor with dignity,
gazing inquiringly at the boot Of the socialist,
which was resting upon the editorial table. The
boot remained there, however, while the follow
ing ridiculous narrative was delivered:
Its fine weather at the bay and everybody who
can afford 1t takes spin occasionally out Of the
dust and heat Last Saturday Stanford and Gage
were walking along Kearny street. and when
they got to Bush the Governor took off nis hat
wiped his brow and remarked
"SteVe it's too hot for anything. Whsl do you
say to a breath Of fresh sirP"
Have we timer" inquirlng Mr.. Gage, pulling
out his watch. 80 did the Gov ernor, who re.
piled:
There isn't anything very pressing for
couple Of hours guess, and we may as well take
a spin out to the park 1t isn't worth while t.
have out my horses Let's take hack, and then
we can enjoy walk when we get there, It'll be
better than riding around the drives"
So they got into a coupe and were driven out to
Golden Gate Park. AT the entrance the Governor
and Gage alghted
"Whats the fare2" asked the Governor.
"Only Sl5, Guv'nur."
what yelled Stanford and Gage In the same
breath.
"Fifteen dollars" repeated cabby, unbuttoning
his coat and splitting on his hands.
But my good man." protested the Governor,
such charge is exorbitant, The law confines
you to reasonable price Tor your services, and
you can be arrested and punished for such vic
ton OF the ordinance"
Hang the law!" groWled oabby. "My money
bought and paid for this hack an horses and as
Guvnur Stanford said In his letter to the New
York Chamber Of Commerce, the essence Of
ownership Is CONTROL"
"Heml' coughed the Governor, looking slyly at
Steve, who began to grin "Thsts all well
enough when applied to my railroads, but-but
-er, now If you charge us fifteen dollars TO bring
us to the park, what on earth would you charge
US to take US to the Cliff House2"
"Five dollars"
From heref'
mo- from the city"
But It's twice the distance!"
Eyes, but lts competitive point. Fifteen to the
IL aVVa 40 tka
Through rates to the Cliff local rates back TO the
park added-just as you fellers do when you
charge $500 for drawing carload Of stuff from
New York to Frisco, and make is $500 II you
drop the car at ElkO, about 500 miles nearer New
York"
1t was steVe'S turn to cough and the Governors
10 grin.
'Well, said the Governor with a sigh, take us
to the Cliff"
At the Cliff House the Governor and Stephen
drank their beer and smoked cigar, and listen.
ed to the barking Of the seals, and filed their
lungs with the sea breeze, Suddenly Steve clap
ped himself on the leg and cried out
by JoVe, GovernoII forgot that lot Of coal Of
Smiths that the sheriff is to sell at o'clock. It's
2now. II we miss that, chance to save at least
q thousand dollars will be gone"
Good heavensl" cried the Governor, snatching |
out his watch, "let's hurry back at once Drlveil
Oh, drlVeII
Here, sir" answered cabby, who had been
leaning over the balcony parapet with ear.shot,
here SIR"
I'VE want to return to town Immediately"
cried Mr.. Gage
"Ya as, Is'pose SC" said Cabby slowly chewing
a straw, but I'll take my pay In advance, II it's
all the same to yOu gents"
The Governor grOwled somewhat between his
teeth and rendered him S5.
"Taint enough" said Cabby contemporary.
"In heavens name, how far will your extortion
go9' snorted the Governor, How much do you
WantH"
Five hundred more" calmly replied the hack.
man.
"HeyI' shrieked Steve and the Governor.
Five hundred, and not cent less replied
csbby.
"How, slr-er-damme sirl how do you dare
ask such price for driving two gentlemen four
OF five miles2' spurted the Governor.
u based my charge on what the traffic will
bear, same as the railroads does ," replied the
hackmsny with grin. III taters Is sellln In Los
AuBSlu5 luE MY CSubo uuhuol hllu al 20 buhutA
at Tucson, you fellers charge the poor devil Of a
rancher $3.50 bushel to haul his tRters to THCson
and gobble all the profit, Now, amt as hoggish
as that. l heered Mr.. Gage say II he could get
into town by o'clock he could make a thousand
dollars. As there amt no other hack here, I'm as
good a monopoly for this wunst as any blasted
railroad on earth; but amt so greedy. dou't
want all you can make by usin' my hack, I'm
willing to get along with half"
"With a dismal groan the Governor and Steve
emptied their pockets and counted out the
money.
Now, see here" said Cabby, as he closed the
door Of the hack on his Victims. "I've done for
Wunst what you roosters day in an day out have
been doln' for years, an made your millions by
1t. happen to be able to give you small dose
OF yer own medicine wunst, an don't want you
to do no kickin'. know you kin send me to
Jail for runnin' my business on your principles,
but II you iais me I'll have to have your blood
when l get out, an don't you forget It,"
Hereupon the hackman clapped the door to
with o bang, and climbing to his seat drove at 9
rattling pace to the place where the sheriff was
about to sell out poor Smith, Smith was a coal
dealer who didn't have special rates.
When the nihillht had finished this absurd and
llbelous tale he took his foot OF the editorial
desk, laughed hOarsely and departed for the near.
est saloon.