Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-09-09
TIL. State and the Railroads.

Hon. J. Perry Johnson delivered an
address to the people of Butler county,
at Poplar Bluff, on Saturday, 2Sth ult.,
which is full of good sense and sound
Democracy. He is man who will re-
fleet credit upon his constituency and
faithfully represent them at the State
Capitol. The Democracy of the Oath
district is indeed fortunate in having
him for its candidate. His speech on
the occasion referred to is too long for
the space at our disposal, but we feel it
our duty to make room for the follow
ing paragra phi:
In state matters, the Democratic party of
Missouri stand squarely on the railroad pol
icy as enunciated by the Democratic platform.
The eXactions and determinations of these
railroad corporations have grown and in
creased until the commerce of the country
has been crippled and burdened by unjust
exactions. The constitution and laws of our
state prohibiting the consolidation of COM
peting lines of railroads have been violated
to such an extent that it is now possible for
one railroad magnate in New York City to
paralyze the commerce of six great south
western states.
From the east to the west and west to the
east, along the great competing lines of rail-
roads controlled by the Vanderbilt, the
Gould, the Carrot and the Scott syndicates
freights are perhaps fair-as low as they
should be-but when we leave these great
through lines and get out of the reach of
their competition, then discrimination, ex-
action and oppression seems to be the rule,
and Southeast Missouri especially is discrim-
mated against, and such ruinously high
freights eXacted from our producers and
business, and other means may be necessary
to fix rates and arrange schedules, etc. I
want the violations OF the law tiled in the
courts of the country where other legal mat
tiers are heard. I can see no reason for one
tribunal for the railroads and another for the
people. I want to see the remedy prompt,
efficient and certain and let the railroads
meet the people in their own forum, the
courts Of the country, and not drag persons
injured off to the state capital before COM
mission to have their wrongs redressed and
their rights protected. And if a civil remedy
cannot be found that will bring these COR
porations to sense of their duty and obedi.
ence to the law, then let violation of these
railroad laws, unjust determinations and il
legal eXactions he made misdemeanor and
prosecuted in the criminal courts OF the
state, and I believe when we bring these
gentlemen IN contact with the prosecuting
attorneys with the power of the state behind
them, they will learn THAT discrimination
and unjust exaotions do not pay and will
learn that they too must obey the laws of the
land. They might be able to buy or corrupt
three men; they certainly could not buy or
corrupt the people of the great State of Mis-
souri,. Again I say, as I now understand
matters. am not in favor of railroad COM
mission. may change my mind, but will
certaily have to see more reason for doing so
than now do, but will join In any plan
that may be thought best to obtain the pur-
pose and bring the railroads in subsection to
the law.