Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-02-21
the INSIDE AND OUTSIDE.

| '" 800 " VIC usPatSucs sHat MAJ Aixue-
rim Gillett, Of Emporia, has been chosen
Railroad Commissioner by the executive
council to Gil out the unexpired term of
Maj. Henry Hopkins. lately deceased.
Maj. Gillett came to Emporia at the close
Of the war and opened an Office in that town
for the practice of law, where he has re-
sided ever since. He has been q hard
worker, fortunate, and is to-day at the
head of his profession and rich man. We
have known him intimately for the last
eighteen years and we are free TO say that
we believe he is as well qualified in every
way to dill the position to which he has been
chosen as any man In Kansas. Having said
this, and presuming on our long acquaint-
ance and friendship, we wish to say word
to him on the subject of what we consider
to be his duties as Railway Commissioner.
Ia the first place we wish to call his at
tention to the fact that there are two sides
to this railway question-an inside and an
outsids; and before proceeding to investi-
gate the outside it might be well to let the
public know just what is going on in the
inside, SO that people may be better pre-
pared to consider this problem intelligently
Ii is important, In the outset, that every
railway company should be permitted to
treat all people alike. A manager of rail-
way has no desire to furnish free Transport
tation TO member of congress and would
not do SO if let alone. But when the I'M
scrupulous congressman informs the said
manager that he is a "power at Washing
ton," and that unless free transportation
for himself and friends is forthcoming, or
unless the railways pool and raise money to
pay said congressman's election expenses
aud all other Incidental bills he will pro-
coed to introduce bill in congress that If
it becomes law, will paralyse the railroads,
and when he is Joined by all the other con-
gressmen in the same demands, accompa-
MED by the same threats, the railway man
ayers are too willing to raise the money and
fork it over.
In the meantime, Major, you must re-
member that this money does not come cut
Of the railroads, but from the pockets of the
people. And then again We cannot see
why the railroads should be forced TO fur
nish special trains or special ears for United
States Senators. Senators are no better
than other other people, and when the rail-
roads are forced not only to furnish special
trains and free transportation, bat are given
to understand that they must foot the bills
for not only the senatorial and gubernator-
ial campaigns but must put up a large
number of monthly salaries for an army of
mn al No
the state for the sole purpose Of manipulate
ing politics, we are not surprised that they
charge good round prices for hauling coal
to the people along their various lines.
And then again. Major, why should it
not be made misdemeanor for governor,
state officer, judge of the supreme or dis
trict court to accept passes: Do the rail-
roads give out these passes because they
leve these people? Not at all. Then what
are they given forg Simply because they
are afraid TO refuse, and in this connection
we call to mind when governor, who was
elected as kind of a reformer, sent in an
application for nine annual passes for his
household before he was fairly warm in his
seat. Now if the railroads are compelled to
carry an army OF dead heads is it not a fact
that those who do buy tickets have to pay
more for their transportation?
And while we are starting out TO reform
things why would it not be well to have a
law passed making it penitentiary offense
for governor to threaten the railroads
with a special session of the legislature and
thus force them to spend fifty or hundred
thousand dollars to secure said governors
denomination and reelection:
All this money comes out oil the pockets
of the people Getting down little, why
should member of the legislature be
| allowed to go to Topeka and demand three,
four, five hundred or a thousand dollars
from the railroads for his election expenses,
informing them at the same time that if
they do not put up he will make it hot for
them. The railroads don't want to spend
this money, but as discretion is the better
part Of valor they do it in self-defense.
NV, then, Major, when you will have
provided a way for freeing the railroads |
from all these regular established systems
Of oppession and made it impossible for
men in power to plumber these corporations, |
it will be time to turn your attention to the |
other side which we will proceed to out |
line.
Fuel is the great deiideratum in this |
prairie country. Cheap fuel is an absolute |
necessity. What we want and what we
must have is competition in coal. Canon
City coal must come in competition with |
Cherokee and Missouri coal at every rail-
way station in Kansas. Usage City dirt |
must not control the prices of coal in this
state. 1t is important, therefore. that you
thoroughly post yourself on the coal ques-
ton and after doing so say to the railway
managers that the people of Kansas are
perfectly willing to pay living freight rates
for coal and no more. IL the railroads ac-
coed to this reasonable demand all well and
good. II they do not let the legislature COM
pei them to by unmstakable enactments.
The next item of prime importance to us is
lumber. II the country improves it must
have cheap lumber and cheap building
material. Examine the tariff rates on lum-
Der carefully, consult with the tarffic mana
ger of the roads, look over the traits Of
roads in other states and if you find that
present rates can be reduced, ask the rail-
roads to make the reductions and We will
guarantee that they will be made cheerfully
and without a row.
Having done these things you will not
only have done your duty but you will be
entitled to the gratitude of your fellow
citizens in Kansas.
If by your action you give to the people
the assurance that your are going to work
to make the law of some practical benefit TO
the state, that you are not going to use the
Office as stepping-stone TO something bet
ter, that you believe all property in the
state stands on the same footing and is en-
titled TO the same protection, you will take
this disturbing question out of politics and
assure the people that in you they have
man who intends to deal honorably and
fairly with all interests. Hundreds Of po-
ltical blatherskites will howl, Office hold
ers in high places will bully you because
they cannot use you, but the people will be
benefited, railway building will be re-
sumed in our state, and the era of prosper
ity to be witnessed ON every hand will be
continued indefinitely. Dorado Republi-
can.
PLUMB AND GREENBAckS.
Senator Plumb delivered a wonderfully
vigorous speech on the money question The