The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-13
lCopied from the Clarke Courier by rcquest.l
John n. Barbour az Chairman Of the
Democratic State Executive Com.
miftcc.

lCopied from the Clarke Courier by request.l
John n. Harbour az Chairman Of the
Democratic State Executive Conn
mittec.
The appointment Of this gentlemen as
chairman OF the Democratic State Execu-
tive Committee has been suggested by
some OF the Democratic papers in the State.
The fact that the railroad OF which Mr..
Barbour Is the president, through its en-
ployes, agents, and attorneys, controls sew
eral thousand votes in the State. has doubt
less had something to do with this sugges-
ton. There is another idea which has
suggested this appointment. Mr.. Barbour,
it is thought, can put large amount
of money INTO the campaign, and
money is indispensable TO victory.
But whose money is it that will
he used Not, OF course, Mr.. Bar
bour's, but OF the corporation OF which
he is the head Corporations are but the
creatures Of the law. They have no con-
science but the law. Whatever the law
authorizes them to do by their standard is
right and il they can retain the power OF
shaping the legislation OF the country, or
OF preventing the enactment OF laws re-
stricting their power, the land and produc-
tive capacity OF the State will be complete
ly at their mercy. The unrestricted power
OF railroads in the use Of the peoples fran
chisc-the right TO charge toll upon n pub
lie highway-abolisbes ownership in land
amongst those who now hold the title, and
| converts the landholder into tenant, hold
ing for the benefit Of the railroads who thus
enjoy the unrestricted use and profits OF
the land.
The railroads will not contribute OF their
abundance to subserve any interest but
their own. They invest money in an cleo
ton Just as they invest it in the purchase
OF rolling stock or in building a lateral
road. The question is always, Will it pay!
They want additional powers given them
by the Legislature, and above all they do
not want any restriction-such rs the
Georgia railroad law upon the powers,
which are making the holders OF their
securities the princes OF the land. Their
support and money can be had only by con-
ceding their demands. TO borrow money
OF the railroads is to execute the bond OF
the Democratic party. with waving Of
homestead payable in the support OF the
railroads by the party in the next Legisla-
ture. Malone bought the negro by con-
ceding to him equality with the white race.
The Democracy can obtain the support OF
the railroads by pledging itself to let them
alone, and TO fight those who would restrict
their powers by legislation
ave fear the Greeks though bearing
gifts" According to Ksop, the pigeons
made bad swap when they turned the
kite out OF the pigeon-house and took the
hawk for n ruler. Malone is a bad enough
| boss, hut il we swap him for Barbour it
NAV be another case OF the kite and the
IaI
il, either q kite or a hawk for a boss and
the great question Of the hour and OF the
day is how to get rid OF and keep rid OF
both.
We forbid the bans OF this unhOly alli-
ance between the Democratic party and the
railroads. Every member OF the grand old
party has the right to protest against it.
Such an alliance will, in our opinion, cost
the party in this district hundreds Of votes.
The politician who thinks that the tax
payers do not understand the true inward
ness Of this fight which Is impendng-the
object OF which is TO properly restrict the
powers of the railroads OF the State-makes
big mistake. The railroad question APP
peals strongly to the pockets OF the people.
The railroads are fighting (and for this they
put up their money to buy yotes) for high
| frelghts. The taxpayer, the freight-payer,
is fighting for low freights. Here is the
simple issue. and yet the chief captain OF
the Democratic party the army Of freight
payers) is to be taken from the ranks Of the
enemy.
Reimbursement revolutionlzed the politics
OF Virginia upon the pocket question.
The Readiusters said we will reduce the
debt and put money in your pocket by les
sening the taxes. Those who are In favor
Of restrictive legislation respecting the
powers OF railroads appeal also to the
pocket. They, too, say we will lessen tax
ation-the tax imposed by railroad freights.
Malone and his followers well UNDER
stood the coal-oil power OF readiustment to
penetrate the pocket OF the Taxpayer, and
he ana his party are therefore Quick to
avail themselves OF the popular feeling
which favors restrictive legislation. The
Richmond Wing CLAIMS now that the Ma
honeites are the only anti-monopoly party
Of the State, and the Democratic party Is
in alliance with the railroads OF the State
to preserve existing legislation and per-
petuate high freights. To make Mr. Bar
bour chairman OF the Executive Commit
tee OF the Democratic party Is to admit the
propriety Of the claim and the correctness
OF the charge. Can the party afford TO do
Iite NrD