River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-04-11

trusted to select good men, and in case
of the present executive, the railroads
would surely know from the tone Of
his message that they need fear no in
justice at his hands.
'.As these remarks are somewhat in
the nature of a minority report, dissen-
ting from the conclusions of a majority
of the committee, l feel at liberty 70
make few statements in regard to the
action of the committee. make noeriti-
cism aud impugn the motives of no
member. / state the facts and draw
conclusions, and the senate will Judge
of their correctness.
mot a section or line of this bill
was read at any session of the commit
tee. Not an amendment was proposed
nor a suggestion made by the majority.
Is it not plain inference, then, that
the majority of the committee desire no
railroad legislation whatever? That
they are ready to give title deed in fee
simple of their votes to the railroad
companies? | can draw no other con-
clusion. II this bill does not suit them
as it is, amend it, or present substi-
tute. But no, nothing is to be done.
is the verdict of the majority. VIII
the members of the committee stand up
before the senate, and tell US that there
are no abuses to correct, no wrongs to
right, no rates that need Adjustment
This is precisely what they have said
by their report. Were it otherwise,
were they willing TO do something for
the people, were they not wholly de-
voted to serving railroad interests,
then why, if this bill did not suit them,
should they not amend it so that it
would? | can hardly believe that any
senator upon this floor will claim that
our railroad laws are absolutely per-
fect-that there is no room whatever
for improvement. Even the most abb
ject railroad lackey lobbying for his
board and n few passes, does not claim
this. / intend to utter no words of
disrespect or censure. ] only say that
it is a strange sight to see a majority
of the railroad committee in the senate
of Wisconsin, q state paying higher
rates for transportation than any state
adjoining it or in the west, reporting
against the only railroad bill before
them, and offering nothing in its place.
''Pity tits. and pity It's tits true'
''Mr. President, let me say in con-
clusion. that inewhat / have said upon
this subject l have made no statement
that l cannot prove, have given no
figures that cannot verify, and have
uttered no opinions in which | do not
believe. The subject is so broad. the
interests involved so great, the abuses
complained of so glaring, that l need
not apologize for the length of time 1
have spoken. What the fate of this
bill shall be matters no more to me
than to you. think l have correctly
foreseen it from the start. have long
known too well the almost unlimited
power of corporate control in Wiscon-
sin. have seen too often men
Crook the pregnant hinges of the knee,
That thrift may follow fawning.'
II should vote for this bill as readily.
and champion it as earnestly, if | knew
in advance that it would receive the
vote of no other senator | believe
there is a public demand for it as well
as necessity. am sure its provisions
are wise, and just and reasonable.
Predictions are unsafe. | claim no ok
ceptional foresight, but l risk the pre-
diction here, and | make it before this
senate and the people, that legislation
akin to this cannot long be delayed.
The people of Wisconsin will not
always be the willing servants of rail
road masters. If legislation like this
is to be defeated-if any and every
move to correct abuses, and right
wrongs, and secure equity is to be
throttled by corporation influences,
then before very long you will see
aroused a storm of public Indignation
that cannot be allayed. The power of
money and passes-promises and
threats-will not be perpetual. / fear
| the coming of the day-we have seen
it once in Wisconsin-when the people,
goaded to desperation, may demand
and enact unjust laws. The pendulum
of time always vibrates from one ex-
treme to another. So sure as the rail-
roads of Wisconsin refuse all conces-
sions to the pablo and continue to ex-
act rates, and practice determinations
not permitted by TIE laws of other
states, so sure do they invite retribu-
ton that will be speedy and | fear
disastrous.
Senators, l hope that if you cannot
support this bill that you will insist
upon some other measure that will
secure a better regulation of railroad
traffic in Wisconsin, and that you may
so shape your action upon this i'm
portant question, that in all future
time you can justify your consciences
and satisfy your constituents.