St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-10-01
RAILROADS oFTL. ! RIGHT.
If They Are They Should Be De-
Tended.

He is an unmitigated and shameless
demagogue who would assert that it is
always wrong to defend such companies
or bring suits for them. When therail-
road company is right, it ought to be de-
Tended. When wrong, it ought to be
comp elled to respond in damages. The
only test in all such cases should be,
and with honest, honorable and intelli-
ney deport himself honestly and honora-
bly,. Misrepresentation or an apneal to
ignorance or prejudice will recoil on
those who attempt it. When Gov. Mer-
riam's ''organs" and the managers of
his campaign give out that | said II am
hot here to say word against railroads
OF corporations" and attempt to make
the people believe that that is all said
on the subject, and that L said it merely
''as defiant declaration that had no
explanation to make Of my connection
with railroads." they discredt them
selves and their cause. A party which
attempts to carry on campaign ON
falsehOod and deception is already dis
graced i'll the eyes of every intelligent
and honorable man, and is on the way
to defeat. | submit to the intelligence
and love of fair play of the people
whether these men intended to be can
did or truthful, or whether their sole
purpose is not to misrepreSent me and
deceive the people? Here is verbati m
what l did say:
am not here 10 say a word against rail-
roads or corporations. Now that may seem
strange III nominating convention; but
look upon corporations whose powers are
not exercised to the detriment of the people
as necessary part of our modern civiliZa-
ton. Without them our railroads and other
great public improvements would not be pos
sible He is not public enemy, but public
benefactor, who builds railroad and honestly
operates 1t in such manner as TO give him a
reasonable and just return for the money IN
vested and so as to advance the interest and
prosperity of the state. These corporations,
and all corporations created by the state.
should, therefore, be treated with absolute
justice. But / have long believed that we
have too frequently and for unnecessary pur-
poses, created corporations, and that we have
entirely failed to impose proper limitations
on their powers and functions. And, mas
much as by their great wealth and power the
private citizen could not single handed cope
with them, it would be disgrace to US and
to our age to fail to surround them with such
checks and to subject them to such pen
alties for misfeasance or malfeasance as
would certainly bring them into subordina-
ton TO the public and make it impossible for
them with impunity to trespass upon the
rights of the most obscure citizen. While we
concede justice TO them, we should demand
from them absolute justice and fair dealing
with every one. They are The great clvlliZ-
ing agency, and, worked as | have said, they
ere benefactors, and not malefactors, and it
is mere demagogism TO denounce them.
This shows beyond doubt the pur-
pose, by garbled statement and sup
preston of truth, to declare a
falsehood. The cause of the party or
candidate that must be buttressed by
such prevarication and falsehood must
indeed be in a desperate plight. The
pc ople of this state are neither dishon-
est nor stupid. as these men assume
them to be. This same cry was raised
against me when had the honor to run
for congress in the First district four
years ago. But it resulted merely in
confusion to them who put it forth.
The statement which has been made
that | was, while in Washington as a
member of congress, receiving salary
from the Chicago 81 Northwestern Rail
way company, or from any railroad
company, has not the shadow Of truth
for foundation. While l was men,
Der of congress the Chicago 81 North
western Railway company and the
WinOna & st. Peter Railroad company
had very much business there before
the departments and in the courts. yet
/ never there in single instance acted
for them, or for any company. during
that time