The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-02-08
"vestsd Riohts."


and "rcpIdiation" are the three
great scArecrows act upon the RAM
parts VI monopoly and lrgalized
robbery to brighten away the at
tacks Ut n suffering aud outraged
people. The other day in Congress,
an amendment to tho Post. Office bill
was ordered. which provides, first.
for an amendment TO the charters OF
the Union and Central Pacific Rail.
roads: and, second, for the reduction
Of compensation for carrying the
mails on old subsidy and land grant
railroads to fifty per cent. OF the
rate paid on roads built by private
capital. The arguments in support
OF the amendment were that, ~ the
Government had virtually built
these roads. by donating to the cor
porations land aud subsidy bonds
amply sufficient in amount 10 cover
all costs OF construction and equip
mcnts. II had q right 10 demand the
transportation OF its mails over them
at cost.
But the Argus eyes OF monopoly
saw that IL would never do to ack-
nowledgc tho right OF the power Of
the Government to lay its finger up
on ! corporate prerogative, no mat
ter how justly or how much the pub
lie good demanded the act, so
through its Democratic mouth, A.
4. Hewitt, in a tone OF holy horror,
il wanted 10 know ii 1.-THE House felt
prepared to begin the work Of con-
tiscating private property. which,
when once approved by vote OF the
House, would proceed with fearful
strides until it ended in logical re-
suit communism
Through its Republican mouth
Mr.. Caswell, il was more defiant
And declared that the amendmen,
would be imperative, IA il was a
blow at the vested rights III those
corporations "wsich could not be Ia,
ken a,cdy o. inodded by Congress.
That settles the question. Who /.
sovereign, the Government or its
corporate creatures?
Mr.. Cnswell has struck the key
note TO the impending struggle he
tween the people and the monopo
lies. The people may thank him 10
his timely warning. The American
people recognize 10 wrongs as vest
ed rights. In fact the very tern
smells Of J-spotism. The old feud
al Barons exercised special privile
ges, one OF which was I, build cas-
ties which commanded the road
through which the traffic OF til,
country must pass. From this the
collected tribute, which they spen
In extravagant and luxurious liyin
and ia feeding and feeling their mur
d.rous hir-lings whom they employ
cd 10 enforce payments and punis
| dclinquenta. II Il traveller tried I
avoid raymen. by going arouA
sonc back way. ha infiinged upo
the rested rights, and was put I
death. The nobility Of England Is
/ 40 enjoy vested rights" by whic
the oldest son inherits the propert
. from generation u generation. III,
keeping up caste, and II class VII
simply eat and drink what othel
+ produce. In almost every cas
wher. used. the term vested right
, should be changed TO "restt
rfonJs.
i, We say to thu public II il time
wake mp. For the last fifteen yeal
the liberties Of the people have bee
gradually slipping away from then
while n corporate despotisn hi
heen In course Of establishment
Special legislation i'm favor Of cup
talistic corporations hns been iii
rule and legislation In behalf OF Il,
. people the exception, until the us,
fal classes hay. well nigh lost n
, Interest In the Gs neral Government
regarding II ~ u hulwnik Of ofiicii
iti!eseiy and corporation rohbei
instead Of protector of indiyidu,
rights and public interests Chici
, go Express.