Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-09-19
DAILY .INTELuGENCER.
TACOMA COMMUNISTS.

the other day, adopted platform ana
nominated candidates fer county ofhoes'
The resolutions of that platform are so
direetlv in conflict with the principles
and practices of the corpol alton that
originated, nurtures and controls tue
",.yminusr that reference thereto IL
not inappropriate. The platform Is
composed of "planks" and parts OF
n,anks taken from the platforms and
sneecbes of several National conven-
tions and candidates. II begins by
quoting from Buffers speech demand
inc equality of rights, equality OF bur
dens. equality of privileges, and equality
of power TO all men under the laws
This. in the eyes of the Tacoma LedgeT
and It's masters, the corporations that
rum that town, must be banning
lie. Equality of right under the laws
would compel immediate restitution to
the public domain of every acre Of the
Northern Pacific land grant not earned
in strict compliance with its charter.
Grants by governments to individuals
are construed strictly against the
erartee. Equality of rights demands
that the same principle be observed IN
constituting grants by the government to
corporations.
Foualitv of burdens would force cor
poratiens equally with individuals to
pay their due share Of taxes for support
of the government. II would demand
that property of ihe Northern Pacific be
assessed and taxed in the same method
and TO the same extent as that OF lndi-
yiduals that an income tax against q
oorporation should not be levied unless
the citizen is taxed by similar method
Equality OF privileges would repudi-
ate subsidizinR by gift OF public prop
erty one corporation for building rail-
road through a section OF country,
while DENYING similar or identical aid
to another. Equality of privileges does
not mean the favoring of one corpora
ton or one citizen above or at the ex-
pcnse of its, or his fellows. Equality OF
privileges means square dealing, equal
chances for individual or collective
effort. Exceptional and exclusive grants
are not equal, but unequal privileges
They benefit the few to the injury OF
the many. They enrich those upon
whom they are conferred at the expense
OF those 10 whom they are denied.
Equality of power, under the laws
signifies that the power Of a corporation
like that of a citizen shall be exerted
legally and Justly. 1t does not mean
that corporations shall, by virtue OF
their great wealth. business connections
and ability to aid or injure individuals,
usurp the prersgatives Of citizens, IN
3 rigue at political conventions. dictate to
legislatures, overawe or bride courts
assessors and county commissioners, or
elect governors. judges, United States
senator's, or representatives to congress
1t signifies power in proportion to bust
ness, property and qualifications, ex-
ercised ,cithia me scope Of the corporation
charter. and not whit beyond that.
Every interference by corporations with
political affairs is an assumption of
rights, privileges and powers, not under
the law, but outside the law. 1t 10 not
a chartered right, burden, privilege or
power, each of which functions are
granted and limited by the charter
creating a corporation.
This quotation from the personal
platform of the anti-monopoly oandi-
date is decidedly refreshing, when 1t 10
considered that it was promulgated in
Tacoma. II Is evident that even in that
town there are Communists and
''cranks" The platform further goes
on to oppose all monopolies, and de-
mand protection therefrom; 10 demand
that railroad property be taxed like
other property; that the railroad COM
pany DO compelled to select its lands
and take out patents therefor within
six months after they have been earned;
that no lien lands be allowed; that the
Wallula- Portland land grant to the
Northern Pacific be forthwith surren-
dered, aud, to cap the climax of bravery
that congress shall require of the
Northern Pacific Railroad Company. on
condition Of its returning said grant, to
unequivocally stipulste and agree with
the government to fully complete and
have in operation said Cascade division,
from Ainsworth to Tacoma, strictly on
or before the 3lst day of December,
1888; and, in default thereof, 10 forfeit
all unearned lands and all earned lands
then ansold within the limits of said
grant in addition thereto, and 10 forth
with pay into the treasury Of the terri
tory OF Washington, or any state then
its successor, the aggregate amount of
all moneys which the said Northern Pa
citic Railroad Company may then have
received or which may be due to il from
the sale Of lands within the limits of
said grant,"
Verify the world moves. The sdop-
ton of this platform in the heart of the
railroad camp establishes long sus-.
pected and we'll grounded fact. 10 wit
that there are people 10 that city who
are not prepared to surrender their
birthright even at the demand of the
Northern Pacific Railroad Company.
Il is true that the Independents did not
declare in favor Of absolute forfeiture,
although the practical effect Of the reso
luton il enforced would be that idensi-
cal thing. But they went as far as was
possible, and we doubt not, farther than
was prudent, in declaring emancipation
from q servitude CALLING to every self
respecting citizen. They have framed
an indictment sgains, the Northern Pa
eific that, without naming that corpora
ton, will be readily recognized by its
managers and serfs. Neither of the two