The Russellville Democrat., 1882-06-01
Free Passes A gain.
Mir. Editor:

Free Passes Again.
 Mir. Editor:
 As we anticipated at the time VIC communicated the railroad "free Lass" article we have succeeded to some extent in directing the minds of few of our fellow-eitIzens to this great and important question, which is SO alarmingly affecting the inter ests of both our national and state governments. "G. A. P.," in his re- ply to our former article on this sub. ject admits that our position on rail road and other monopoly legislation to be in keepingiwith his feelings and that he would be pleased to see a law in force to forever preclude rail road corporations from dealing out their free pass bribes to state of ficials and legislatures, but he doubts the practability of such law, from this fact, he says Are there not n thousand and one ways for the rail road corporations to evade the law? :? can they not sell continuous pass for ten cents and then treat back the ten cents?" and, in further sup port of his argument in this connec tion, he says: "Are not their passes their own property just as much so as the farmers horse is bis?" Be sides, he says, the law cannot pre- vent the railroads from resorting to many other tricks to cvade the law, etc. This is the force of "G. A. P's" objections to one of the most whol. some and beneficial laws that could be enacted by any state legislature. His argument is in keeping with that of those who opposed Abraham Lincoln during the late war in his emancipation proclamation; they swore that such law could not be enforced and negro could never vote in their county, but with the assistance of the strong arm of the law we sec how we'll that proclama- tion has been recognized. Also, his objections are in keeping with a great many who were opposed to the late prohibition law; they said that the law would be evaded and that there would be more drunkenness and crime than ever To the contrary. we have no drunkenness, and peace and order prevails throughout our land. Again, we would ask "G. A.. F., to point us to the code of laws that provides for owners of horses and other property to use such prop erty as bribe, scheme or trick Tn their own interest to the detriment of the government under which we live. When he has lmparted the above asked for indulgence 10 us, we will then endeavor to tell hlm how the acceptance of free pass" will make legislator a thief and a scoundrel.
 But few people in the state real ize to what extent this form of petty bribery is carried. Immediately af- ter his election to office, every mem. Der of the state government and of tue legislature is rendered the cour- tesy of a "free pass" for himself and friends. Editors, judges, clergymen, coroners, aldermen and every man, who is supposed to be politically or otherwise influential in the commu- nity has an opportunity to travel free at the expense of the rest of the community. To such an extent has this abuse proceeded Gin some states that regular forms are furnished to influential men in blank with per mission to use their discretion in distributing the favors of the corpo- rations. These blanks has been dis tributed to the supreme court of our noted states of this union.
 When it comes to a point, where the railroads employ the courts of state to distribute their favors, is it not about time the people should say thus tar shalt thou go and no fartherY
 The great corporations and mo nopolies of the day are fast seizinq the avenues of power that lead to controll the government. It is an open secret that they rule states through procured legislation and corrupt courts; and that they are interruptions in the use of monies to conquer prejudice and acquire inHu- ence. This condition of things is truly alarming, for, unless it be changed quickly and thoroughly, free institutions arc doomed to be suhyerted by an olhgarchy resting upon a basis of money and of cor rupted power. w. P. W.
 St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The SCI