Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-02-26

office. For that reason Congress has
the power to regulate commerce, not
only with foreign nations, but also
between the several States. What
should the government do 1 am in
favor of the simplest possible way.
When you have got a gigantic and
monstrous evil like this, the best way
is to hit it between the eyes. There
is no doubt that the damage done to
individuals by these companies should
be compensated. Then the law should
fix reasonable toll. Whenever there
is controversy about what is rea-
sonable toll, the burden of proof
should always be compelled to show
in court that their charges are rea.
sonable. The presumption should be
against them, and the burd en- of proof
should be on them, and as they have
got the books, they can, of course,
submit the proof. Applause.
Mr.. f. B. Thurber read letter
from Senator Window, in which he
wrote; II repeat to-day, in sub
stance, words uttered seven years
ago, that there are in this country
four men who in the matter of taxa
ton possess and frequently exercise
powers which neither Congress nor
any of our State Legislatures would
dare to exert-powers which, if exer-
cised in Great Britain, would shak g
the throne to its very foundation.
These men may at any time, and for
any reason satisfactory to themselves,
by stroke of the pen reduce the
value Of property in the United States
by hundreds of millions. They may
at their own will and pleasure disar-
range and embarrass business, depress
one city or locality and build up an
oother, enrich one individual and
ruin his competitors, and, when COM
plant is made, coolly reply: What
are you going to do about it?'"
Senator Wiudom devoted a large
part Of his letter to the considera-
ton of what is likely to result from
Jay Gould's purchase of daily news
papers, with the ultimate purpose of
controlling the Associated Press.
Regarding the remedy, Senator Win
dom wrote: "To my mind the an
swer is easy. This organized gigantic
corporate power can only be kept un-
der proper restraint by the organized
power Of the people expressed through
their State and National Governments.
That such governmental power exists
and may properly be exercised I have
not particle of doubt. 1t is plainly
written in our constitutions, and has
been unequivocally declared by the
Supreme Court Of the United States" "
The glee club then sang an anti
monopoly song to the tune of John
Browns Body" These are sample
stanzss:
For Vanderbilt and Company it's indeed
agilded age,
But poverty increases and It's thus that
tramps are made;
Shall it, will it, be continued when the
peoples votes are weighed?
Asweg go marching on.
No we'll hang Jay Gould Tin effigy) on a
sour apple tree,
And bring to grief the plotters of a base
monopoly;
From thc'heartless ghouls of booty we've
determined to be free,
As we so marching on.
Gen. Reagan, of Texas, the adthor
Of the first Interstate Commerce
bill, spoke at commendable length in
defence Of Congressional interference
to prevent the further encroachments
of the railroad monopolies.
Mr.. Fowler, president Ct the Farm
ers Alliance of New York State,
spoke OF the trials Of the farmers of
this State and their contests with the
railroads.
Mr.. Thurber read the resolutions,
which presented, as the practical re-
suits sought by the League, the fol-
lowing:
1. Laws compelling transportation and
telegraph companies to base the charges
upon "cost and risk OF service" instead of
the new theory enunciated by them
"what the business will bear"
2. Laws to prevent pooling and comb
nations.
8. Laws to prevent discrimination
against any citizen or class of citizens on
public highways.
4. Railroad Commissions or courts,
State and national, 10 give effect to laws
which are or may be placed upon the
statute books.