Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1884-03-06
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

The individual who turns the crank
for the anti monopoly organ in this city
"struck" representative OF the great
monopoly for pass to Portland and back,
and the monopoly representative was too
much set back by the exhibition OF cheek
to refuse the request. In other words
the monopoly contributed an amount
equal to the price of one passage to Port
land and back to the purchase OF press
on which to print paper filled with
abuse Of 'the grinding monopoly. 1t
is great thing to be an anti-monopollst.
W. ". Union.
We don't know the anti-monopoly Or
gan that struck the monopoly represen-
tative for a pass, and it makes but
little difference. Perhaps We don't COM
prehend the true situation of things. But
As we understand matters, the railroads
are public carriers, both Of passengers
and freight, and they fix their own rates,
and grant such favors as they see tit.
Heretofore it has been the custom to ex
tend favors to members of the press, in
some instances to granting free passes and
in some to granting half fare. We have
never known that they extended their
favors to only those who were monopolists
and denied them to anti-monopolists, or
that they we're disposed to use the patron
age of their roads, for the purpose of max
ing editors: monopolists, Or to prevent
them from becoming anti-monopolists, or
in any manner to abridse their freedom
Of opinion on questions Of public policy,
and we can see no improperly in an edi-
tor, if he feels disposed to seek pass,
according to custom over road and ii
the officials see fit to grant this, neither
the said officials, nor any contemporary
press have any moral right to use this
fact against such editor. Nor does the
fact that he accepts the pass, if granted
place him under any obligations to advo
cate the general policy Of the railroad
company, nor remain silent, in relation
to any abuses they may practice as cor
porations or individuals. The moment
that we admit that editors become bound
10 pay Difference to passes granted and
pursue policy in their papers different
from their true opinion of public policy,
just that moment they become that far
subsidized, and are not worthy Of conf
dence, and when any railroad company
attempts such means of gaining the ap'
probation of the press, they subject them
selves to the just charge of seeking to
forcstal opinion by bribery in the way of
free passes. What pretty show rail
road company would exhibit, if when two
editors, one monopolist, ready to endorse
any policy in the company, however OPP
prcssive and against public policy, aud
the other an anti-monopolist, who would
not endorse such policy in his paper,
should both apply for passes, the officers
Of the company should grant pass to
the monopohst and turn and say to the
ansi-monopolist, we will not grant you a
pass because of your anti-monopoly senti-
ments. Such a discrimination made by
any company would be an admission that
they were monopoly acting against good
public policy, and If publicly known
would among every free thinking and indie
pendent people draw down upon them the
anathemas and curses of hundreds and
thousands who knew the facts. If the
mouopolists are right in their policy, they
must be able to defend that policy with
out resort to denying passes to those Of
different policy. If the antimonopolists
are right, they certainly must be able to
defend their system without the question
d being granted or denied free pass
over a railroad. If the object of grant
ing free passes, sought by railroad be
to mould public opinion in their favor
then the free pass system should be abol
ished at once. But if it be to aid the in.
digent editors, clergy, legislators and
others, and furnish them facilities to bet.
ter understand the duties they are called
upon to perform, the system is no more
than right, and the company who adopts
the system, without any unjust discrim-
ination thereby shows its appreciation Of
what will aid the growth and welfare
Of the country from which they derive
their support, and that company is to be
commended.