The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-04-29
without unjust disoriminat ion under similar

without unjust discriminst ion under similar
penalties.
4. Charging more for shorter than q
longer distance In the same direction shall
be presumptive evidence of unjust discrm-
nation which may be rebutted by the car
rier, and the commission may establish rules
to regulate this.
5. That the rates and regulations shall be
made public in such n manner as the COM
mission shall prescribe, and ten days
notice is required of any advance in rates.
The rates SO established shall not be varied
from, and violation shall subject the car
rier to mandamus upon the relation of the
commission and to an injunction TO restrain
further violation.
For the carrying out and enforcement of
these provisions, with authority TO require
reports, and investigate all complaints, and
with power to proceed in the courts to en-
force the law, n commission is provided,
and upon the character and efficiency OF
this commission would seem to depend the
real and specific value Of the legislation.
Holding in mind the fact that the estimated
wealth of this nation is divided between the
railroad corporations and all other proper
ty-owners III the proportion of to B; that
the 20 per cent. represented in railways has
become concentrated under the control of
men who may be counted upon the ten fin
gers, while the 80 per cent. is diffused
among individuals and companies of d-
verse interests; that our present action is
taken because of the oppression of the 80
per cent by the organized 20 per cent, it
would seem that We fall short of our duty
if. by the terms of this bill, we prevent the
employment of the best talent attainable TO
represent the interests of the people.
This sion will he rauorIaH
as the peoples attorneys, and should
be composed OF men at least the equals in
legal acumen and practical force of those
whose unjust schemes they are expected to
thwart and whose unprecedented powers
they are designed to direct. Concentrated
capital never mistakes cheapness in the en-
ployment of its agents for economy and
salaries of from $4,000 TO S25, 200 for
those intrusted with the business manage
ment of railways is not uncommon. This
bill provides that the Commissioners shall
have no other business and the main Office
shall be in Washington, thus necessitating
or indicating residence here and an income
limited to the amount paid in the bill. On
this account l urge upon Senators and the
committee having the bill in charge the
consideration of an amendment of Section
ID increasing the amount of compensation.
/ do not expect that the passage of
this bill and the appointment of any
five gentlemen who might be named
under its provisions for its en-
forcement will at once bring the millennium
to American transportation. For forty
years n constant struggle Of wits has been
going on between the erasping corpora
tons and Legislatures endeavoring to re-
strain them, and to day we are confronted
with successful legalized wrongs remain
ing uncontrolled and unredressed But
We shall have done our duty when we shall
have done our utmost for the future Sc
curity of the people. do not believe that
this bill will accomplish radical results,
but it is step in the right direction, both
for the people and for honest railroad
management. For many years n contest
between the safe maker and the burglar has
| been waged. Each failure of the safe 10
| withstand its robber has begotten improve
| ments believed to be final, and each in
| turn has yielded to human cunning and in
genuity. But it is not for the safe maker
| to stop in his endeavors. If this bill be-
coming law should fail utterly to supply
remedy, another att ampt must be made If
it is partially successful, we shall have ac-
complished something and new remedies
will be suggested by its partial failure.
An examination of the report ard testi-
atoms are making too much money, or that
the average rates of transportation are too
| high. On the other hand they have been
in the main Improbable, and transportation
between competing points in America is
the cheapest in the world. The complaint
of the people Is of discrimination, uncer-
tainty, and secret injury The complaint
| of investors Is that two seventies of the
| capitalized investment is water, and that
! through inside combinations the masters of
Wall street are able to realize vast profits
upon railroad wreckags and the depreciation
of railroad property, as well as upon their
prudent conduct and honest management.
A great stride toward personal liberty was
believed to have been made when our Gov
! eminent was organized with the prohibition
of entail: but the sovereignty of trunk
| lines and railroad systems, imperishable as
they are, present a more dangerous inn
| perium in imperiO for our consideration
than the largest entailed interests of the
world.
Railroads are beneticent servants. but
they must not become masters. The dwarf
has grown large enough for us to impose
restrictions upon his growth, else the old
fable will be illustrated In practical life.
If unchecked he bids fair to develop
into an Afrite of gigantic stature and
overwhelming and malignant influence.
Railroads are no longer dull, insensate
things. They are imbued with intelligence,
and an intelligence that neither slumbers
nor sleeps. They are no longer joint stock
companies alone they ale dynasties.
The old cry of the mayor of the palace
when he appeared at the window of the
Tuileries. The king is dead, long live the
king" may well be proclaimed when the
railroad magnate goes to his long home.
Not schedule is changed, not a locomotive
puffs less fercely, not sardine less is sold
In the restaurant. The same intelligence, for
tilted and intensified possibly by new blood,
yields the scepter and utters its mandates.
The fact that he stock changes hands
does not detract from its power or alter its
purposes 1t is more remorseless than
man, for the responsibility is divided. The
cabinet or ministers who shape its policy
and carry out its behests justify their course
10y the plea of necessity, and feel no ire
mors of conscience from the fact that their
personality is merged in that of the corpo-
ration.
Hitherto content has come TO the plain
people of our land, to the farmer to the
artisan. because, as he sat by his hearth