Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1886-04-22


and the illustration drawn from the longer
haul is applicable to all points and distan-
ces on every road to which legislation by
Congress could apply. Take, for instance,
points along the Ohio River
where low rates prevail by reason OF com
the nOn-competiuye points
so and 100, or even 200 miles nearer the
market, the same products going In the
same direction are often charged % per
cent. more, and sometimes double the
amount of the longer haul from the Ohio
River or beyond it.
Mr. President, this is not theory, nor Is 1t
the statement of imaginary cases that might
exist; it is the everyday experience. 1t IS
a notorious fact that men engaged in agri-
cultural and stock.raising pursuits in West
Virginia and other States near the Eastern
markets, who ship their products from points
one-half to three fourths nearer the markets,
will be met in the same markets with the
same kind of products shipped two or three
times the distance, coming by their own
doors at greatly less rates, often as much as
one-half less. And it sometimes happens
that shippers living in these States ship
their own products to market and at the
same time purchase products OF the same
kind in Chicago and the West and ship to
the same market at the same time at less
freight than is paid for their own products
almost at the market gates.
In support of this assertion beg to read
a letter, received only a few days ago from
one of the most substantial, intelligent, and
reputable farmers of the South Branch Val
lev. in my State. | do not give his name,
for the reason that | have no authority to
give it publicity. but the letter is only the
repetition of complaints received by Sena-
tors and Representatives almost dolly on
this subject. The letter says
I believe you are opposed TO the interstate
commerce bill. believe the people OF our
State are almost unanimously in favor oil 1t.
| know Of none who are opposed to II, except
those who are interested in special rates and In
railroads.
will stop here to remark in this cOnnec-
ton that | do not know how the writer
could have imagined this to be my position
unless he has been deceived by misrepre-
sensations, or imagines that because | have
some railroad interests in my own State
can not rise TO the level of disinterested
conviction on this important subject !
have that conviction, and this Is not the
first time have expressed it on this floor.
But let that pass that is not the point to
which | wish to call the attention of Sen.
ators.
The letter goes on to say
Our people complain very much Of discrim-
nations it costs us more to get our cattle 10
market from the point named in West Nlr-
ginia). often as much as double, as from far
Their West | was in Philadelphia in Deem
Der with cattlemen from Ohio and farther West,
who were paving about one-half the rate Of
freight / paid. | buy more or less cattle in
Chicago every spring, and it costs me great
deal more TO get my cattle home than to ship
them to the seaboard. Our State can never
prosper unless we can compete with the West
i'm transportation. They get to market so much
cheaper than we do We would be better oil
if we were 500 miles farther West / own one
of the best farms in this part of the State ana
am offering it for sale IN order TO so west,
where ! can get cheaper transportation, and
many Others are doing the same thing and leay-
ing our State.
Now. Mr. President, why should we leg
islate to perpetuate this discrimination, that
affects the great body of shippers all over
the country instead of providing for Its re-
lief? | challenge any satisfactory reason Tor
it. If we are in earnest about passing
bill that will reach the greatest evils OF dis
elimination let us meet the question fairly
and squarely. If you limit the provisions
ito the same original point of departure,
instead of covering the most important
principle in long and short hauls, 1t only
adds to the evils of the determinations COM
planned of by practically sanctiOning its
most Objectionable feature.
Such a bill discriminates in favor of dis
elimination, for it discriminates against
whole sections of country and would give
to large cities the monopoly of nearly all
kinds of business by reason of the guaran'
tee that would be offered for cheap and uni
form transportation charges. This princl-
pie was most elOquently expressed by the
Senator from Iowa Mr. WILSON although
| believe he voted against the amendment
then pending. | quote from the remarks
of the Senator, page 43S, second session oil
the Forty-eighth Congress:
The people of this country cannot be brought
to an acceptance of the abnormal system OF
forced combination and Capitalization with
which the transporting corporations have
bound 10 their own real or supposed conve-
nience the industries of the country. | am
clad to feel assured that this is so for ] cannot
believe that the present tendency to drive the
manufacturing industries and all who employ
and are employed therein TO n COM
parativelv few localities will tend TO
conserve the best public interests whether
we regard them from the StandpolnIs
of moral. material or political consideration,
singlv or combined. The system is repressive
and unjust \ body-politic can no more thrive
under a system which confines the vital forces
represented by its employmentS, It's business,
its commerce TO few points than can natu-
raj body whose life currents are INSTRUCTED ana
denied their normal action. A set-relant
man whose independence and individuality as
sert themselves in his ways of life, is always
conquering force. nation thriyes by multi
plication Of such men; it weakens and dwaris
as their numbers diminish. The rule Is not
confined to individuals. II applies to commu-
mites rs well rs 10 men. y Seli-rellant, ener-
getic prosperous, contented community Is
national force. Multiply this force and the ma
ton grows in strength, prosperity contentment;
and so long as these conditions exist It's power
will increase and its institutions endure.
Mr.. President. q diffusion OF industries will
multiply such communities rs will give US the
results have indicated, and this diffusion Will
transpire whenever the transportation shack4es
shall lave been stricken from the willing limos
of communities now impatient of the restraints
which hold Them 10 inaction They want to
move but they cannot They witness the pro-
cesses of forced Capitalization going on, ana
feel and know that the vast concentration OF
capital. and work. and workers in the ponder
Gus cities gives back no augury OF encourage
ment TO us to let this system 60 on unchalleng-
ed. l do not mean by this that we should so
legiSlate that cities shall cease to grow; but l
90 mean that the practices OF the transporting
corporations whereby abnormal growth Is fore
80 1,a.a. of a.