Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-04-04
Taylors Greatest Effort.
Full Text of the speech by the Father of
the Railroad Bill

chile a motion by Senator Price TO re-
commit the bin to the railroad com
,g;+tee was before the house. Senator
Tavlor's speech in defense of the bill
changed somewhat the current of feel
inc regarding it; whether it materially
Effected the judgment of the senators
viii be seen when a vote on the question
is taken.
Mr.. Taylor spoke as follows.
.Mr. President; ! undertake the dis
,nssion of this bill with considerable
embarrassment. Perhaps no measure
aver introduced into this legislature has
received more of prejudgment, growing
ont of a misconception as to its proyis-
IONS and the reasons of its origin, or has
avcited more hostile criticism of per
zaual and political nature. | introduced
This bill pursuant to definite and imper-
ative Instructions from the people who
alacted ne to the seat | have the honor
IN occupy upon this floor. This fact
ought to furnish me complete immunity
from any charge or suspicion that the
measure was of my own suggestion, and
WAS presented with other motives than
TO promote the public good. But for
some reason or other certain parties,
and | refer to the railway companies,
those directly in their employ, or Others
aypecting favors or fearing injuries at
their hands, have seen fit to persistently
attempt to bring discredit upon the
measure by impunging the motives of
fhe senator who introduced il. This
method of attack upon the bill, which
can only be truthfully characterized as
unfair. if not disreputable, imposes up
on me the necessity of asking the in
dulrence of the senate while | make a
few remarks of a somewhat personal
nature The performance of this task,
unpleasant as it is, c0nnot rightfully
avoid; and while / brll., 20 its discharge
something of earnestness, | hope there
NAV be nothing of temper. Long be-
fore line of this bill was written, be
fore its provisions were formulated, or
its scope decided upon, it was heralded,
throughout the state that the senator
from the Tenth district was to inaugur-
ate a war on railroads. Knowing only
that he had pledged the people of his
district to carry out their instructions,
the agents of the railroads assumed the
agents of the railroads assumed, with no
shadow of authority for SO doing, that
there was TO be an unreasoniug and de
structive assault made on the railway in
terests of the state. This was charged and
reiterated, and has been studiously and
steadfastly circulated by railroad news
papers. by political agents, salaried TO
control elections and legislatures by
employees circulating circumstances
against this bill, and by attorneys and
lobbyists of high and low degree. Around
this legislature the story has been pour
ed into willing and unwilling ears until
it would seem like thrice-told tale.
1T is said that feelings of revenge,
baflied ambition, a hope of future gain,
all these unworthy and wicked motives
prompted the authorship and introduce
ton Of this bill. So assiduous and 50
successful have been the attempt, to
create erroneous impressions about this
measure, before any of its provisions
were known that their baneful influence
permeated even the sacred precincts of
the executive chamber, and our able and
honOred governor who comes TO us so
fresh from the people, became alarmed,
and out Of the fullness of his misinfor-
ton, took occasion in his first official
communication to the legislature to
warn us to tread lightly on railroad
grounds, and against being controlled
on the railroad question, by feeling of
prejudice.
Sir. it is the history Of the world and
always will be, that vast aggregations Of
capital organized into cambined forces.
will exercise undue and dangerous in
tuence in business and public affairs
Good men and true have been at all
times and everywhere deceived by the
st MI ,la hNr Ia ~ I -t.
ments Of corporate power. And it is
sometimes true alas, that upon impor-
tant questions weakness is often more to
be deplored than wickedness, and the
errors OF ignorance are more disastrous
than the lntrigues Of design.
Mr. President and senator's | wish
here and now to disclaim any feeling of
hostility towards railroads | deny, in
the aggregate and in detail, all the
charges or limitations TO which | have
referred. have no grievances, person
al political or otherwise. In a long bus
mess intercourse with railway compa-
MES ! have been treated as we'll and
suspect sometimes better, than have
mostmen. In aid of my political ambition
J never asked, expected or desired their
support No senator upon this floor will
re--t more stouty than will |, any as
=auIts or unjust attacks upon them. For
thirty years have | consistently and de-
Fa'eiiy been their friend and defender
against Injustice ] am as much their
friend today, as on any day before.
believe there has been legislation at.
tempted and enacted in this state upon
the railroad question that was prema-
ture and Unjust But remember. times
have chan9ed roads that few years
ago We're poor dependent and weak are
BOW rich, arrogant and powerful.
lights To which they We're then fairly
entitled if exercised now would be fla
grant abuses. Rates they could then
properly charge, if exacted today would
Dee the r9nkest extortion
u have long been in favor Of legisla-
1--WE control of railroads. | was in favor
u the Interstate commerce law. In
1856, when had the honor to be chair.
man Of the republican state central com
ulltee. J insisted that a resolution must
go into the platform Of the state conyen-
ton. pledEing the party to protect the
people from railroad abuses; and al
though several prominent railroad attor-
neys and agents advised strongly against
Z, claiming just as they do now that all
Was sUlpt and tho 0uaetion cbould NOT