Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1883-07-06


that the legislatures have a right 4
pass laws governing railroads
THAT may be correct In principle
hut does Il always work for the bes'
interest Of the slateG The Kanssi
legislature, At ils last session, pass
ed a law fixing passenger fare on
all railroads in the state at three
cents a mile, which, under the de-
eisions Of the courts, they had a
perfect right to do. Was il for the
best interest Of Tbs state 20 have
that law passed. We think not
Too many OF the Kansas laws are
passed because public clamor de-
mand II, regardless Of the results,
Kansas is a new state, making rap
id strides for first place in the con-
stollation, and she owes her posi-
ton to-day to the influences and
untiring perseverance Of the rail.
roads The A. 7. & S. +. railroad
company have done more to adj
vance the state Of Kansas than all
other causes and advantages com
bincd, They have pushed their
road from the eastern border, in
advance of civilization, in the face
of great risk and danger, to the
Montezumas, giving an outlet di.
rect to the best markets on the
continent for all the productions
Other soil. They have branches
reaching out in all directions, striy-
ing to give all the advantages Of
railroad facilities, and, with but
one single exception, not one of
her branches ever paid running ex-
penses, win they build any more?
Yes, whenever itpays to build and
operate at three cents a mile, and
not till then.
Through their advertising med
ium and liberal inducements they
have populated Kansas with the
most energetic and prosperous
people in the world. But the great
trouble is they are too energetic
md will not let well enough alone.
They get too enthusiastic and hur-
rah little to loud sometimes. For
instances, they shouted for prohi- |
Dition and st. John till they lauded |
hem to the skies, and then left |
10Th to sink so deep that Gabriel's
rumpet can never resurrect them.
Then they went wild over Click
md railroad legislation; they got
10Th, and now they are looking for
IN artist to mould an India rubber
nan to kick them out of existence.
The Kansas legislature would not
AVE passed that law if it had been
eft to their own judgment, as they
lid not think it for the best inter-
st of the state, but public opinion
Gas so strong in its favor that they
id not dare to do otherwise. The
NV was passed in the interest of
he farmer, the ticker of the soil,
ut does he derive any special ben
lit therefrom? The average Kan
as farmer does not ride on the
abroad to exceed seven miles in a
ear and consequently the reduced
ltes are of no immediate benefit
} him. II stops the further build ,
lg of railroads or branches and he
injured thereby. Had they de-
landed a reduction of freight tariff
icy might have benefited them
Elves somewhat. The present
wv says "three cents mile every
ly in the year and children half !.
'tes." Heretofore ii has been Gus
mary with the railroads to charge J.
ur cents a mile half the time and
lcurSlon rates the balance, with
le children sall thrown in, and
le Kansas people always man
red to secure the benefits of those
duced rates. Now it is three J.
nts a mile every day in the year, :
ID are they not losers thereby? !,
gain, 1t checks the tide ofemigra- r.
IN for the railroad cannot offer g
ch liberal terms to emigrants
I'd shippers as they have in the !,
lst. While the farmer is not ben :"
TIED any the railroads are iniur-
to some extent in consequence y
the reduced rates, carrying pas 1t
ngers for three cents a mile.
1t just now the farmers are not O.
e travelling public. We venture "
say, without fear of contradic- Il
IN, that not one farmer out OF ten n
at located in Kansas who reach n
there by rail, ever paid four
nts, or three cents, or even two Of
nts a mile for transportation. d,
Nv is it now? "Three cents a ra
lie, no more or less" or you vio- q
e the law.