Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1881-04-21
Railroad Monopolios.

unusual activity IN 8the railroad circles, not
only ol thtsState but Of others. The result
ms been She forbation of large combinations
consolidating and uniti1s, under one manage
rnens, several foasls.
| The Charlotte and Atlanta Air Line Eaiirood
has been leased to tho Richmond aud Danylle
road. The same parties control the Greenv,le
and Columbia. the Wilmington and Columbia.
snd the Charlotte, Columbia aud Augusta Rail.
roads. This combination. We arc Informed. is
At waf With the South Carolina Railroad,
with The view OF ultimately controlling
1t. Tho ownefy of the South Carolina Road
has leased the Georgia Road, we supposed, In
selkdefence. against the enoroaohment Of other
| examinations.
Other and larger combinations, to control
travel and freights have been negotiated and
formed, and the CREST thoroughfares OF the
commerce Of the country are rapidly falling into
the hands Of q money power, which supports
and fosters The idea Of q strong government.
This Is not only true OF railroads. but also Of
other bodies. Steamship lines, telegraphio
oompanies, banking associations, manufaotur-
ing and her like corporations. combine and
thus control not only the money, the commerce,
the agriculture aud manufactures Of the ooun,
try, but also politics, both State and National.
The immense fortunes amassed SO rapidly, by
those VIII control this species Of property have
given them power which has made iiself fell
not only In Congress and the Legislatures Of the
States, but also with tho judiciary.
Senators and Representatives; in Congress.
not only FIJI their places, as members
OF Congress bit also as guardians OF
RAILROAD aud' other corporations. They
They are rneuhbers'and also presidents and attor.
nays Of these mammoth institutions
This same truth Is seen in the Legislatures.
Members salaried by banks, railroads, So, are
prorfnent in oil legislation. This power in
vades too the judiciary, and has, in many in
stances, made use Of the judges Of courts to effect
It's purposes
Such gigantic strides Of power are dangerous
to tho govornmont.
It controls commerce, manufactures. apri-
culture and the currency, the money Of the
| country.
The commerce Of South Carolina has suf-
forod from lis parayzing effects more than
any other State South. Virginia, North Carolina
Georgia and other Statcs have some city In which
railroads center and distribute South Carolina
commerce contributes 10 this end, and her
products are carried by railroads, managed in
antagontsm TO her interest," beyond her bor-
ders. The South Carolina Railroad under the
present management of the roads of the Stale
is the only one which has terminus in the
State. All others without an exception pay
tribute to other cities and towns beyond her
borders. with her products. The South Caro-
lima road, wnrred on by others, is the only one
that now ends in city within the borders of
this State.
Our agricultural interests, manufacturing and
commercial are thus controlled in the inter-
est Of others, and our towns and cities are made
and unmado at the will Of this power at our own
expense.
true Of many other States.
Tie currency tho medium of exchange, is
subject to its touch.
An effort was made ty the recent Congress 10
pass funding act 10 reduce the interest on
the national debt President Hayes, under the
influence Of national banks, vetoed the bill
Under the prospects, of the bill becoming law
the national banks threatened panic upon the
country, by Withdrawing from circulation their
bank notes, and thus badgered the President
into serYial compliance with their demands
Thus We see from these instances what
power these combinations havo and its danger.
The great question that presents itself to
the people is how is this power TO be ourbed
and made to subserve their interests instead of
their injury.
Many of the States have passed legislation
assuming to control Il. Their LEGISLATION in
man koa Ao. &..A:f
hos over reached them and leaped beyond their
bounds.
States may and ought to enact laws upon
:his subject but their powers arc not sufi
oient. The Congress Of the United States is
tho only body that can effect this purpose.
The constitution gives Congress the power
to regulate Interstate commerce. Under this
article congress should assume control of
railroads that traverse State lines, and pass
such laws regulating travel aud freights as
will be equitable and just.
Fhis CON only be done by q determined effort
on the part of the people. The influences of
corporate bodies have go bent the minds of
those In authority in the government that the
effort to induce legislation Of this character
Oh the part Of Congress will be met with
strong opposition.
Money Is power which wields tre,nendoua
influence. II can ind will always command
men Of the best character and talent In Ito
service.
Those favoring centralized government are
tho advocates Of the money power These
and many other great obstacles must be met
and overcome In this effort to legislats on this
subject The press, the means Of onlisble enins
the popular mind should present this subject
to tue people and arouse the popular will in