The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-08-14

The state Grange and Transportation
In his nrlio, address on tue lOJh'
instant, az WsXahschie, the Worthy
Master A. j Rose had tho following
to say on tho question of transporLa-
ton:
This question should be better M
derstood by the masses OF the people,
as every industry must come in con
tact with the common carrier. These
corporations are powerful in their IN
fluence, controlling our Legislative
bodies and even the courts OF
the country to an alarming
extent. 1t Ia hoped that time, patience /
and perseverance will adjust this
question equitably TO tho carriers and
to the PEOPLE. Railroad corporations
receive their authority from tho States
to construct their roads under such
rules and regulations as are prescribed |
by law. The constitution of the
United States, adopted before one mile |
OF railroad was built, gave Congress the
right to regulate commerce with for
eign nations and between tho States. |
A question, frequently decided by the |
courts of the country, has been that
the government has The constitutional
right TO regulate and control transport
tation limos, The Patronsot Husband
ry have tho honor of taking with sue
cess tho first appeal case 10 the
highest tribunal known. Since
this decision u number of others have
been tested with like results. State
legislation Is important on this ques
ton, but national legislation is far
more 40. The national govern
ment owes this much to her
citizens. Yet IT. has long been neg
lected. Why? Can it DO possible we
have corp 3iations which are rapidly
absorbing tho wealth Of the
nation, and yet 30 intricate in their
management and so powerful in
their influence that Congress cannot
devise means to control them? 1t is
evident to All that IL not controlled
they will prove worry detrimental to
our republican institutions.
There is remedy for all this, but 1t
will not be applied 30 long as the mi
norlty controls tho majority. Lot Con-
gress proceed cautiously but gurely
with this question. LIST n few ira
portant steps be taken in the riSht
direction. Put an ond to
pooling and discrimination;
make rates equal TO all for like service,
ana il maximum rates arc liked, make
th0m so low that all viii DO charged
| the same. We are opposed to short
hauls paying for long hauls or for tho
| losses sustained by them. Texas con-
gressmen are solid for cnacting such
| laws as Will do Justice to the roads and
to tho people. L9t the people give
them all tho encouragement that their
earnest efforts deserve.
| Texas has given l6 sections Of land
nor milo for tho construction OF hor
railroads. This land was the property
of hor citizens, which at
present prices, would more
Than build all the roads in Texas.
But this In not all. One of her best
roads received G6 sectors of land per
mile, and this, together with the road
and all appurtenances, Is exempt from
taxation for % years. Not
outstanding this they will bring
freight from points hundreds of miles
beyond our border 10 tho most distant
points in the State for less than they
will from ono point TO another within
stance: We ordered sewing
machine from st. Louis, shipped
TO Rockdalo. Our neighbor ordered
one from Dallas shipped to the same
point. He paid moro freight than
did. To-day the products Of Texas
soil nre placed at tho Same disad-
vantage. THO roads OF the State
are dependent upon the farm
ers for mn existence, and yet tho
farmers cannot get advantages oven
equal to those who live out of tho State.
the farmers OF Texas ara tired Of be-
ing taxed TO pay losses sustained by
those outside OF the state Or log2os
bo sustained, which doubD.
1t is high time that the
managers of railroads In
b Texas should stop and consider who II
IL that furnishes them with business
Tho farmers will not alwSys continue
81 in ignorance on this and many Other
important questions.
We can not think that railroad man.
ayers believe that the order of Patron,
OF Hushaudry are their enemies. We
, can assure them wo are not. We
, do not want anything done
that will do injustice TO them
= Our position has been we'll defined. II
, we are wrong we ask to BIO put right
, The farmers are learning
1 that no relief will como with
out their own efforts. without rogart
to craftsmanship they are becoming
daily more determined TO have homes
and capable mon elected Il
all pOaitiOns Of trust; mer
who can SEQ both sides of Quos
I, tions OF general interest. cannot toi
= strongly urge that this, with all othe
questions of importance, oe discussed
before tho subordinate Oranges, thai
: we may arrive at better understand
ing of Thorn.