The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-03-19
LET THE TRUTH BE TOLD.

IF there be any n trait among our
Il people which distinguishes them,
it is their love of "fair play" In the
discussion of the Railroad Commission
bill in the Senate, Senators Thomas
and Kerr, read from President Alex
ander's address before the State ALI
ance "garbled extracts" to show that
he opposed a Railroad Commission.
This matter has gone into the papers
and The PROGRESSIVE FARMER, desir-
ing only that President Alexander
should be fairly, t~ruthfully and hon
estly represented, quotes his exact and
precise language in regard to railroads
ON that occasion and and takes 1t from
has published address. If the enemies
of a Railroad Commission can find
any words of comfort in it, they are
welcome to it. We commend it to these
Senators. They will lind it excellent
reading. The public will decide
whether such a course is becoming the
railroads and their representatives.
Here is what he said:
"Not only have the railroads and
selegraphs forced a change in our agri-
culture, but they possess a power Of tar-
alton and patronage dangerous to the
liberties of the people. They haze GEN.
saIized our government, and trusts, CON-
5ines, pools and monopoI5es are their of:
spring. A friend, nov past three
score years and ten, related to me the
following incident:
when | was a young man [ visited
Boston. l carried a letter of intro
duct1on to Mayor Quincy. He received
me with that hospitality for which he
was so distinguished, and invited me
to- a banquet given in honor of the
completion of the first forty miles of
railroad that entered Boston. In his
speech at the banquet, Mayor Quincy
said: We have completed forty miles
of railroad. If we can build forty,
We can build eighty; if we a build
eighty we can build two hundred; If
We can build two hundred we can
baild one to the lakes; if we can build
one to the lakes we can build n to
the Pacific Ocean. Give me the trans.
pertation Of the people and 1 will
control Them"
Prophetic. words, My friend has
lived to see the prophecy of this dis
inguished BostoniansfulflIed Patron.
age, free transportation and money
can nominate any candidate for office
higher than the Legislature, or failing
70 nominate, can defeat their opponent.
What department of the State. OF
national government is free from the
saint of free transportation or tele,
graphic franks? mo man can's serve
two masters" 1t is believed that
some who are elected as representa-
lives of the people are retained as at,
torneys of the corporations. Senator
: Beck, of Kentucky, introduced a reso
luton in the. United States Senate for,
bidding any" Senator to .actBs attorney
for q railroad IN aghaeh tARo governnaenj
$ IS interested. 1T passed, but the next
day was reconsidered and defeated
? thus giving the sanction Of the United
States Senate to any Of its members tc
act as an attorney for corporations
&c. It may be good for the corpora
sions, but it is bad for the people, The
motto Of syndicates, trusts combines
2 pools and monopolies is stNo legisla
ion is good legislation. Hence thei
desire to retain members as attorney
20 keep off legislation. or to shape
SO as to render it harmless to their in
forests. Our laws were made for
) past era, and we have one upon ou
statute books that meet the era O
steam and electricity.
Some people believe that a Railroad
Commission will adjust everything
The railroads are above the State, an,
law a State can pass may harrass them