Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-03-04

ROCKVILLE, MD
Friday Morning.. So. .....-March L. 1881.
AN7Z-AONOP0LLSTS' MEETING.
A large meeting has been recently held in
New York, Of the nti-Monopoly League,
the object Of which seems TO be, united OPP
position to the tyranny and abuses Of con-
solidated corporations Judge J. S. Black
delivered an earnest address in favor of the
League, declaring that the large railroad
corporations had violated their trust grossly
and shamefully. In the course Of his re-
marks he referred to a speech made by the
President-elect, seven years ago in Column
bus, Ohio, saying "a blast might yet be heard
from the Presidential trumpet that would
rally all hearts to the cause Of justice" The
remedy he proposed, for unjust discrimina-
ton in freights, was penal Legislation, "mak-
ing II unlawful 10 exact an illegal rate Of
freight, and punishable by imprisonment as
against the officers Of the corporation which
receives it, Congressman Reagan also ad-
dressed the same meeting, and Senator Win
dom sent a letter, in which he directed atten-
ton to the fact, that one man now controll-
ing more miles of railroad than any other
in the world, had secured control of the en-
tire telegraphic system of the United States
and Canada, and was the owner Of three of
the seven papers which constitute the Anne
rican press;
The meeting adopted the following reso-
buttons
Resolred, That it is the duty of citizens
everywhere to organize anti-moLopoly lea
CUES, and endeavor to secure, among others,
the following specific results:
]. Laws compelling transportation and
telegraph companies to base their charges
upon "cost and risk of service" instead of
the new theory enunciatcd by thcm-"what
the business will bear"
2. Laws to prevent pooling and combine
tons.
3. Laws TO prevent discrimination against
any citizen or class Of citizens on public
highways.
4. Railroad Commissions or Courts, State
and National, TO give effect TO laws which arc
or may be placed upon the statute.books.
s. Laws making 1t the duty OF public law
officers to defend citizens rights against
Injustice by powerful corporations.
o. Laws to prevent taxing the public TO
pay dividends on watered stock.
2. Stringent laws against bribery, includ-
ing prohibition Of free passes
8. Laws enacted by Congress enforcing
the provisions of the first article of the Con.
stitution, to regulate commerce among the
several States, fixing maximum rates 10 bic
charged by corporations for labor, service,
or the use OF property.
0: A liberal policy toward our water ways
which, during the season OF navigation, arc
potent in preventing exorbitsnt charges by
corporate monopolies.
10. Laws providing for tho restriction
within proper limits of corporate powers
and privileges generally, and for the protec-
ton and elevation Of the masses.
Resotced, That we view with alarm the
attempts OF monopolists TO control our courts
and the press, which, with our schools, are
the chief bulwarks Of our institutions; that
il is the duty of every citizen to encc;-age
those journals which are free from corpor-
ate influences and which advocate and sus-
tain the peoples rights.
ftes0tued, That the era of sentimental poll
tics is over; that the right TO earn a living
and enjoy the fruits Of honest industry Is
now up; that the bread and meat and fuel
OF the masses shall not be taxed TO pay divi-
dends on fictitious cost Of constructing
public highways, and thus swell the already
bursting Golfers Of men who recognize nc
principle OF action but personal or corporate
aggrandizementn
Resslced, That for the attainment of these
objects, 1--WE pledge our lives, our fortunes
and our sacred honor" and we will organize
and work until they are secured.
In this connection il may be proper tC
notice the fact that Congressman Urner has
introduced in the House "a bill to appoint
commission to inquire into the injustice o.
freight charges upon Interstate commerce
and TO propose remedy. II provides fol
the appointment Of commission TO consist
OF three members, one of whom shall have
practical knowledge of the management
of railroads, oneof whom shall he a member
OF the legal profession and one of whom shall
be interested in commercial pursuits, whose
duty II shall be, first, TO inquire whether any
OF the railroads or other common carriers %
the United States in their freight charge,
make unjust discrimination against com
munities or individuals; and, IL so, wha
railroads, where, and in what particular
second, to inquire whether the freight
charges for carrying the interstate com
merce Of the United States are oppressiv,
and unjust; and If 50, how, where, and in
what particular; third. TO report to the mex
: session of Congress the result of their inqu
ry, with such recommendations as they may
deem wise and practicable to remedy IN,
wrong. and prevent injustice, if any is found
TO exist