The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-12-07
rnE ABILENE CoNvENTloN.
n. aaaaop, INV n Wa. Called.

1
The Reasons why It Was Called.
The following communication to the
Topeka Commonwealth sets forth the
easOns for calling ihe convention
which IL 70 meet At Abilene on the 18th,
o consider the question of railroad
eglsletion:
ABILENE, KAs., Dec, 4, 1882.
70 TIE Editor Of The Commonwealth.
We notice q few papers in this state |
hat are trying 70 discourage the meet 1
ing We have called. Some have insinu- |
aied that 1t il 3 movement in the inter |
est of certain congressman; others, |
that its projectors are over-ambitious
and desire to attract attention to them
selves; and still others, knowing full
we'll that we are in earnest TO obtain
Just, fair and effective railroad law. are
trying in the interest of railroads, to
cast fidicule upon the movement, call
ing It Q ''third house." saying that "the
state capital has moved to Abiline," etc.
We desire to state TO those who would
injure the proposed meeting because
they fear that something will be accom-
plished by II, your fears are well found
ed. The meeting Is already an assured
success. We have now heard from
eighty. ak members Of the next legis-
lature, and all except hye heartily en-
dome the movement. The invitations
were sent only one week ago, and there
are yet nine days until the meeting.
To those whose suspicious are honest
in believing that the movement is in the
interest Of either ourselves or some in
dlvidual. We would respectfully call
your attention 10 the circular which
sAys "We suggest that no other question
other than railway legislation be dis
cuased."
said or done upon any other subject. We
believe that the enactment Of just rail-
road law Il the most impol; ant, as we'll
a. the most difficult work for the legis-
lature 70 do. The questions as to who
shall be state prinferS who shall be
the speaker? Who shall be the United
States senatorS How shall the state be
redietricted for congressional purposes
What shall be done with the prohibito-
~ laWe Any g-Yes, ali these questions
pale into insignincance before that other
greet question: How can we best COM
pei the railroads TO do what Is rightly
The people?
At the risk of being tedious / will tell
how this meeting camc TO be called. For
several years past all points in Dickin-
son county have been greatly discrimin-
ated agalDs' by the Kansas Pacific
Railway company: freights from the
east to any points In tlIlS county for a
long time hays been double the amount
| from Kansas City TO Abilene Is that
charged for the same goods from Chi.
cago 70 Kansas City, while the fret ght
tariff west from this county has not
been lees than that from Kansas City
These unjust Determinations and ex-
| tortIonS were borne in comparative ST.
lince by the people OF this county IN
| til about the 23d Of last August, when
| the railway company raised the tariff on
wheat from points In this county 70
Junction City 0Uer three hundred per
cent. Texas, having been the best mar
ket for wheat raised in this county,
shippers had been, until that time, send
ing t to that market by way Of juno
ton City. This high tariff forced them
| 70 ship TO Kansas City. When renon-
strsted with about this unjust discrim-
inatiOn-this special robbery-the agent
of the railroad company would give no
relief This damn0ble outrage means
alaVsry to the people Of Dickinson
The undersigned, Messrs. Burton and
Hoffman, pledged themselves, if elected,
70 do AL in their power TO take the hands
Of this giant robber from the pockets OF
the people. They had learned Of other
places being treated in . similar manner
By the railroads. They knew that the
subject Of railroad control by legislA-
tion was frauGht with many difficulties.
It will be remembered that the last leg
islaLure refused TO act in this matter,
claiming they did not have sufficient in
formation upon the subject. They knew
also that the next legislature would be
oVer-worked with other important mat.
tiers. They felt that If q meeting Of large
number Of the members could be held,
and give their undivided attention 10
obtaining information upon this difficult
subject, with their minds entirely free
from the other important questions here
In before mentioned, appoint committees
70 gather facts, and be ready 10 report
by the opening of the coming session, to
their co-Workers. much could be accom-
plished IN obtaining q good railroad law.
They originated the plan and submitted
Il to the others, whose names are hereto
attached, and they heartily endorsed it.
We notice also that the idea has gone
out that the assembly Is 10 be q mass
meeting Of all who sympathize with us
In this matter. Such Is not the case.
Perhaps half g dozen distinguished gen.
tlemen in the state, who have great in
formation upon this subject, have been
invited to attend, but not even they,
nor any others, except members of the
coming legislature, will take part in
abe meeting. Permit Us to say further
that We do not desire to Loss this meet
ing. The meet ng will be uuder the
control Of the members who come. A
large number have sent as word they
would be here.
We have been authorized by the citi.
zens Of Abilene TO invite, and we have
invited, each member. We have plain.
| ~ 10 dictated In our Invitation, however,
that il y only the friends Of railroad
] legiSlation who are expected to come,
leaving each member to decide that
/ gu estfon for himse'f.
Resr ectfolly. JOHN joint.
j. r. burton.
e. r H0RRMAN