The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-01-29
TIN question of railroad domination is

one which the people should meet at as
early day as possible. Their insidious
absorption of power has been in progress
for years and now they feel so secure
that they boldly dictate. The national
judiciary is in their hands; they dictate
its appointments in return for financial
assistance given at national elections.
They have debauched public sentiment
by bribery until now elections have be-
come a money contest. They control
legislatures and systematically Cypress
those who offer them opposition. They
have the United States senate wholly at
their command and can use it in opposi-
ton to the interests OF the people when
occasion requires. So fully conceded is
their power that none but railroad men
are candidates for the position of U. 8.
senator.
1t is not proper to work up feeling
of hostility to railr pads, but it is public
duty to make an effort to prevent them
from the usurpation of = power which
belongs to the people. A court organized
in the interests of corporations is a Mon
ace to justice congress controlled by
railroads is source of great danger to
the rights of the people ; public SEN
timent debauched by the practices of
money kings, is certain indication of
national degeperacy. 1t is not question
of transportation rates, or discrimination
against localities. It is the more vital
one of the assumption of legislative, OK
ecutive and judicial power by organized
wealth and in opposition to the people at
large when there is conflict of interest.
1t is the danger of an oligarchy of rail-
road corporations, despotism more
grievous than those of medieval ages.
Do the people ever give thought to the
systematic swindle bywhich railroad com.
panies get rid of their obligations to the
people who have voted them assistance
in the construction of their lines? Has
any of the U. s. courts ever offered the
people any relief9 Take Manitowoc
county. as an instance, which took stock
for bonds issued to the company. The
stock is not worth one cent, but there il
no relief to be had from the q. s. courts
There never WAS municipality which
received one cent consideration direct for
bonds issued as were those Of this ooun-
ty. The U. 8. courts protect the railroad
companies in their dishonesty.
Look at the credit mobilier bribery;
the course of Jim Blaine, and reflect on
the influences which shape Legislation.
This article has nothing to do with parties
but is designed to point out dangers to
people from the great power exercised
and the influences exerted by railroads.
Fully one half of the public domain out
aide of the thirteen original states has
been granted to railroads. Three fourths
of the lands of Wisconsin; Michigan aud
Minnesota almost wholly have been given
to railroad companies. Empires of ter
ritory have been granted to railroads
farther west and the people make no
protest. 1t is only when fare is a little
high, when few cents are taken directly
from their pockets. that they make re-
monstrance.
Jay Gould could buy the appointment
Of federal judge for 100000 given a
campaign committee; railroad tools can
be regularly selected by the several state
legislatures to seats in the upper house
of the national legislature q. s. courts
mag persist in their practice of declaring
the swindling operations of railroad COM
panies legal and proper, and the people |
acquiesce. The outbreak of popular in
dignation in France which resulted in |
such effusion of blood, was preceded by |
a timidity of spirit which seemed equal |
to the endurance OF any wrong. Will that !
history be repeated in the United Ststss.