The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1882-01-21

uoe Vi Iuo poople, anu suOulu Uo
used and managed to develop the
highest degree of prosperity for all
classes, as well as to pay a legiti-
mate profit to the carrier? How
many understand that they are dual
in their nature-that while they
are built in part by private capital,
they are yet creatures of the law
making power, and are great public
highways to be used for the public
good and common welfare?
Yet these questions have been
fully settled by the most eminent
jurists of our time, and by the court
OF highest resort in the Nation. |
am of the opinion that herein lies
the greatest difficulty to proper
understanding of this question.
Railway officers assert most posi-
lively that the roads are private
property and can be managed and
controlled as the owners please.
They start out with false premises,
and assert their position so posi-
lively that they have succeeded in
making large numbers of people
believe its truth. This, however,
is an important cardinal error. A
public highway can not be private
property, and railroad ''laid ont
and built by the authority of the
State for the purpose of commerce
is as much a public highway as a
turnpike road, canal or navigable
river"
Yet, in view of all these WE'LL
established facts and principles, in
spite of all the equities of the case,
these corporations fix such tariffs
as they please on all the products
of the Nation, and not only this,
change them as their interest, whim
or caprice shall dictate. In the
Western States some companies
even go so far as to in addition to
their business as common carriers)
monopoiize certain branches of
legitimate trade and business, such
as the trade in fuel and salt, and
prescribe just what buildings shall
be built and used by shippers.
The subject, however, is too vast
for newspaper article, and / only
allude to few of the most op-
pressive features of our transporta>
ton system for the purpose OF
urging upon the officers of the Ma
tional and State Oranges, as we'll
as the membership all over this
land, the vital Importance of an
aggressive and forward movement
at this time.
Tue time has fully come when we
must act, and act with energy, de-
cision and v1gor.
This iron hand is upon every in
dustry, every man who is pro-
ducer feels it's crushing weight.
All honor to the few newspapers
who dare to lift up their voices for
the right. From the large majority
| Of the Press the farmers can, how
ever, hope for no aid. They have
mighty and potent reasons for be-
ing silent or openly advocating the
cause Of the oppressor. 1t is graft.
fving that the manufacturing and
mercantile interests of the country
are in full accord and sympathy
with the farmers on this question
Let the noble stand taken by the
National Grange at its last session
find a warm and active response in
the heart, act and life OF every
mem Der of the Order.
Who shall be President? Which
party shall be in the ascendencyi
These are questions which affect us
remotely. But that the great chan
nes of commerce of our Nation
shall be so controlled and managed
as to deal exact justice to all and
develop all Industries, is the ques
ton of the day and hour.-A. b
Smedley.