The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-12-07

THE ABILENE CONVENTION.
Mention has been made in this paper
of Q convection of members elect of the
Legislature, which it is proposed to hold
ct Abilene on the 18th inst. We are not
at all surprised that the proposition is at
tracing some attention. The railroad
politicians and sAlsried hirelings every
where are snorting with virtuous indig-
nation. If the convention, in its &C,
ton, 10 confined to the purpose for
which it 10 stated it IL called, we can see
no harm in holding IL. II it is to fix up
any political slsts or to have anything
ct all to do with politics, then it had
better not be held. The question of
regulating freights and fares is an i'm
portAnt one, and must be met fairly and
squarely by the next legislature.
Il cannot be postponed any longer,
and there can be no harm in meet
Ing for the purpose Of comparing notes,
gathering information bearing on the
subject and discussing the modes OF
handling the important question at the
coming session. The railroads will be
organized Tor the fight, and there is not
only no harm but real wisdom in organ
izing On the part Of those who intend to
pass law combining them to their legit-
innate field Of operations, and to prevent
them, ct their sweet will, from oppress-
ing the productive interests Of this CON-
nonwealth.
This paper has always been friendly
70 the railroad interests of Kansas, and
has time and again warned them that
they were driving nails in their coffin
by their arrogant and arbitrary course.
We have always counseled fair
ness on both sides, and we
counsel that today. The railroads
themselves by their hoggishness have
brought ON the present movement for
railroad legislatiOn, Gnd the popular
feeling behind il that is demanding
that something be done. They would
have aVerted it by combining them
selves to their legitimate field Of opera
items, and By treating the people In q
spirit Of ffiendliness and fairness. The
people Of Kansas know too we'll what
the railroads have done for Kansas to
Be, naturally, their enemies. But the
people Of Kansas will not submit to
have the railroads take entire charge of
the state. The idiosic policy Of under
taking 10 control The politics Of the state
l. . mistake which the rAilroad mana
gers ought to zee By this time. II they
do not zee it now thsy will zee il before
they are many years older.
That they have undertaken
TO control politics for the people there
IL no room to doubt. The evidences ex-
list on every hand. This is one thing
the railroads must stop, and the sooner
they cease il he better it will be for
them. TIE people Of Kansas won't
have any Camden and Amhoy in their
politics. -
II. e we said before, the Abilene con
Vensioa 10 called for the purpose OF pre-
pairing foF legitimate work on the rail-
road question, people will endorse II If
IL Il political gathering and shall sex
to eahaAce somebody's iAterest Tor po.
Iiticai proEsrmsnt, or shall be controlled
By demegcguery ia the least degree, ft
would be belter-much beter--not to
hold il. Those who seek The true inter-
eols Of The public e they are TO be az
fected by the right kind Of railroad
laDinlnfi0n ah0nlf haar IN rnind fha
eSil effects Of bad beginning.