The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-10-23

VOTS SUCH ab Jue mcE ueToOu Jill
which provided for an additional
present OF 1919 circulation to ma
tioHal banks on bonds deposited, SO
that the amount returned to the
banks to loan debtors should be
800 instead OF 800 on every 800
worth OF United States bonds depos-
tied. Mr.. Weller vigorously opposed
this class legislation and also the
Dingley bill which also provides for
additional special favors to national
banks. A national bank organ In
New York City published the follow
ing special dispatch from Washing
ton during the session, "a great ef-
fort will be made by our friends (the
national banks) In congress to take
up next Monday and pass the Ding
ley bill. II Weller, OF Iowa, can be
muzzled It will probably succeed"
Weller Of Iowa could not be muzzled
by this giant monopoly power but
was In his seat and by his objection
to its consideration defeated this and
oil other efforts to grant further ia
vors to the national bank monopoly.
THE TRANSPORTATION MONOPOLY.
The entire railroad transportation
system In this country has gradually
passed under the control OF a half
dozen men Of overgrown wealth and
Unsuitable cupidity.' In the year
1871 at the Minneapolis Fair Horace
Greeley spoke as follows: "A dozen
or 80 OF railroad magnates, sum-
moned by private message, meet
from time to time In one OF our great
cities. They consult in secret, dine
and wine satisfactorily, adjourn ind
go their several ways. Next morn
ing the telegraph wires will flash
across the land the decision that
every bushel OF grain going to the
market, every bale OF goods passing
inland, shall hereafter pay 20 to 30
per cent more freight than has hith-
erto been paid. In effect the ring OF
railroad kings have absolutely re.
duced the price of every farm, every
quarter section, every bashel Of
grain in the great west. II they
owned the whole country and all
who live In it they could not lord it
over US more tryannously." The
Chicago Tribune, also, In speaking
Of this giant monopoly makes the
following startling but truthful state
ment: "The power OF these oombina-
tons over the government Is shown
by the fact that the railroad mana
gers are filling both houses OF con-
gress, especially the senate, with
their paid and pensioned attorneys.
They bid defiance to the country.
They are in possession and control
all the highways Of trade. They are
practicing ex.ortions in every direc-
ton. Men who valiantly fight over
the battles OF the revolution and the
last war stand mute In their places
when 1t Is proposed to assert the
power OF government to control and
regulate the commerce OF the coun-
try and to protect the interests Of
the people," To protect the interests
OF the great producing class from
the rapacity Of the railroad monopo-
lists and to avert the evils that have
grown into the railroad system, John
A. Reagan. a democratic congress
man from Texas, introduced a bill
known as "Reagan Bill to Regulate
Interstate Commerce." the main
provisions Of which are as follows:
FrRrr-To prohibit oil Determinations In
freight rates aud charges between individuals,
requiring like services To BIO rendered TO all per-
sons for like compensation.
SECoND-lt prohibits the allowance OF rebates
and drawbacks In all cases. as one OF the means
10 prevent unjust determinations
THIRD 1t prohibits the pooling OF freights by
cure e. the Senera pnSc ,he s Of %
petition In fright rates and charges, and as q
means OF limiting and restraining the monopoly
Forsrm1it prosides q limitation on the now.
er OF the railroads to discriminate between DIFF
ferent places or portions OF the country by pro-
yidlng that no more shall be charged for a car
Load Of freight for a shorter than for longer
distance In one continuous carriage. This por-
ton OF the hill recognizes the right OF the rail-
roads TO make Determinations In favor OF the
more for car load for shorter than for u long
or distance, by tho doing OF which they have
greatly injured the commerce and prosperity OF
some places for the benefit OF Others, and often
foster and promote schemes OF private specula-
ton by railroad managers and their favorltes,
70 the injury OF particular communities and per-
FIfru-It requires that the railroads coming
within Its provisions shall adopt and keep post
"a up schedules or freight rates and charges.
and that these shall not BE- changed without fise
more nor less than the published rates THIS i
necessary means OF protecting the public
against unjust determinations.
Thisjust and absolutely necessary
measure has been fought by the rail-
road kings and their paid and pen
stoned attorneys" with whom they
have filled both houses Of congress,
ever since Reagan in introduced it
but l.. II. Weller, true to the people,
deeming its passage OF utmost i'm
portanee, voted twice to take 1t up out
Of its order for immediate consider
alton.
TARIFF REFORM.
1t was conceded three years ago
by men Of all parties that the ex-
cessive "war tariff duties should be
lowered to a peace basis and that
with over four hundred million dol
lars lying idle In the Uuited States
treasury, IN incentive to subsidy
grants and wasteful appropriations,
the collections Of eighty-five to one
hundred million dollars a year by
taxation more than the government
required for legitimate purposes,
was an unnecessary burden upon
the producing classes who ultimate
ly pay all taxes. and President Ar
thur in a message to Congress rec
commended a reduction Of 25 per cent
on the war tariff duties. A commits
sion was appointed by the president,
all high tariff men, who, after travel
ing lin a palace carr all over the
country reported q bill to the Attn
(republican) congress which they
said would in effect carry out the
recommend Of the President and ef-
feet a reduction Of ut least $50 from
the war tariff duties. The republic
can house and senate with slight
notifications passed the bill and
now after one years operation under
IL we find that In this, rs In all other
Legislation controlled by the monpp-