The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1888-01-28

punt, anu I'LL hlnlCdDIt adjustment Y
all differences between the railroad an
the coal operators. With this end !
view the commissioners are endeavor
ing to have the company reduce th
rate to 80 cents per ton For reason
which Mr.. Downing laid before US q
some length the commissioners do no
believe 1t would be wise to ask for
greater reduction than this, but the,
think there are good reasons why a o.
cent rate should be given. With thi
end IN view they have been in CORES
popdence with Mr.. w. Ii. Newman
Sd vice president of the Missouri Pacifl
railway company, and that gentleman
has recently written to them that Onl,
urgent aud very important business II
connection with a conference for
readjnstment of general rates through.
nj the country had prevented hin
from giving this matter attention, anG
that as soon US that business was dis
posed of he would reply to the sugges.
lions of the commissioners. When this
correspondence passes we shall lay il
before II readers, and we trust 1t may
prove a settlement of the question.
We have entertained the idea that q
fifty cent rate would be renumerative
to the road, and have heretofore urged
1t, but the most serious grievance OF
the coal operators heretofore seems 10
have been alleged determinations made
against them both in the charges for
freight and in the supplying of cars.
Under the new laws remedies are fur
nished for these evils, and Mr.. Down
Ing says, if human testimony a at ali
be relied on, that they nc longer exist.
Upon the several points here simply
touched upon we have a few observa-
tons to make. Nothing would be
easier than for the railroad company
and the coal operators to become in
volved In a quarrel over this matter.
At the same time nothing could be
more injurious to both parties.
l. The Missouri Pacific railroad com.
pany has q great deal OF money In
vested In this county. Just now the
people generally and especially the peo-
pie OF Lexington. Dover and Middle
ton townships feel very friendly to It,
because Of its recent building OF the
extension In such q solid and permanent
manner as to indicate that il Is TO be-
come a trunk line. This friendliness
has been attested, we think, in various
ways, as to the matter OF rights Of
way, aud In other directions. But
there are other means Of transportation
ia the county: the Missouri river, the
G. s. A.. and the Wabash railroads.
Feelings of ranoor against the Mis-
souri, Pacific may, therefore, result In
diversions of freight to these. From
Carbon Hill, North of Dover, 10
Wellington, a distance Of seven.
teen miles, with Lexington ss
a central point. the Missouri Pa
cidc railroad runs by a continuous
bed OF coal, The equal of which does net
exist I'm this state or at any point
for several hundred miles west of 1t.
This vast coal interest has merely been
touched. Its capabilities are not even
now realized by those who are engaged
IN developing II. Millions of dollars
are to be derived from it, snriching
The operator, and remunerating the
and the miner. A population
Is to be sustained by 1t beyond the
OF the most sanguine.
From these people, as well as from the
,oal as fuel aud as freight, the road Is
benefited. These facts clearly indi- |
;ate, it seems to as, that II 10 the true
interest of the road to be friendly and
II accord with the people to whom II
8 so closely bound by such important
les.
2. The coal operators are interested
n maintaining smicable relations with
he road. 1t Is q homely yet valuable
ruth that more flies are caught with
nolasses than with vinegar. Conten-
ions opposition may sometimes carry
he point OF the individual against the
Dad, but against such opponents the
Dad has a thousand opportunities,
without becoming obnoxious TO prose-
ution, to get ever. Beside, the gen.
raj interest is, to be In harmony with
10 chief transportation age Mt. In q
cry great degree the Missouri Pacific
can, as We are now situated.
make or mar the prosperity of our
own. We wan. suitable depot accom-
we want the division shops,
re want fair treatment OF "a private
oal operators. For the first two we
re absolutely dependent on the com
any, for the third We might possibly
ght In the courts and In the hSlls of
,gislation, but from all points Of view
~ 1
re believe that II 10 best Tor the peo-
lie, best for the operators 10 coal and
est for the road to put the past aside,
ynore and throw away all former
uarrels, and get together upon a plat
orm of friendship and fairness.
We belieye that these views are en-
srtained by & large majority OF our
and that they will be glad, il
pportuuity presents itself, to attest
be fact to the railway commissioners
to the railroad company. IN view
( which, when Mr.. Newman comes 10
dust the freight rates upon coal, we
ope he will address himself to ths
ask In a spirit OF friendliness to our
and TO the great industry which
re are commonly interested in deyei-
ping. d,
In Louisiana keno has been decided
10 be gambling. Kepoi