Morris tribune., 1886-02-24
WEDNESDAY, FEB. "a, 1856.

A few of the statements made ut
the mass meeting in Morris, one week
ago this afternoon, can not be too
firmly impressed upon the minds of |
the people. All of the points made |
have been thoroughly discussed by |
the TRIBUNE heretofore, but we will
improve the present opportunity for
repetition of some of the more import
ant ones.
The fact that the state has power to,
regulate and control the management
of railroads seems to be we'll under
stood. For their franchises, without
which an existence would be an i'm
possibility, the railroads are indebted
to the state. These franchises are
given them and they are helped into
existence, that they may perform
needed work for the public, and it nat
urally follows that the railroads may
be held responsible to the state for the
manner In which this needed work is |
performed.
That there is a necessity for the cS-
ercise of this power over the railroads
is clearly demonstrated and undis-
puted fact. So far in the history of
the state, but very few laws for the
prevention of abuses in railway man
agenlent have been enacted, and rail-
way officers, prompted by their un-
bounded love of gain, have used their
liberty to the detriment of all other
interests. So high passenger rate
has been asked upon all the roads as
to practically prohibit travel, except
that which business operations render
necessary. So high a freight rate is
fixed upon all merchandise brought
into the state and upon all grain and
farm produce sent out of it, that the
cost of supplies is increased and the
price received for productions Is de-
pressed TO All exceedingly burdensome
extent. So great is the tax thus lev
led that The states greatest industry,
agriculture, is we'll nigh paralized and
all other commercial interests are suf-
fering in sympathy with it. If such
high rates were needed to maintain
the roads, pay the salaries of those
running them and fair profit upon
, the money invested, nS-Gie !.S Que would
# find any fault--~ihe burden would be
considered an unavoidable one and
would be cheerfully borne. But such
is not the case. Under the present or
der of things, the railroads are paying
all running expenses, princely sala-
ries to officers, large dividends upon
all real and much watered stock and
are accumulating millions of dollars
as surplus besides. In fine, the
farmers and business men OF the state
are toiling, year in and year out, and
the railroads, are taking the
rrofits. The people are growing poor
er and the railroads richer continual
ly, and if change is not made the
railroads will soon absorb and own al
there is in the state. p
In order to oexercise the power which
the state has over railroads, laws are
needed and officers to execute them
A beginning has been made in this
direction, but it is only beginning
The operation of the present law i:
producing excellent results, but doe;
not reach far enough. There are many
methods of extortion and systems o
exorbitant charges, for which reason
right and the welfare of the state de
mand correction, but the commission
ers lack the necessary authority ant
the iniquitous practices go on. 1t i:
very certain that railroad oficiali
will not reform themselves, and tina
the use of the roads will never be Civ
en- to the people, at reasonable rates
till the people demand it in forcibl'
way. Of course, the people mus
make their dem ands through tn
commissioners and in order for thes
demands TO be effective, the commits
sioners must have the power to Fl,
passenger and freight rates, determin
the classification of goods and control
in ways and to the extent indicates
by the state, all that part of the man
agement of the railroads in which th
people are interested. These power
the next legislature ought to confer
The people should see that this legis
lature is made up of men identifie
with their own interests and men VIII
are incorruptible. IT they do this, n
uneasiness need be feared in regar
to the result. This legislative an
senatorial district has furnished th
right kind of men IN the past and, W
believe, will continue to do SO. Fo
the good of the state, we hope othe
districts will do as we'll.