Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-06-21
MR.. HUNTINGTON's POSITION.
The Relation of the Southern Pacifi
Company to Politics,

The Relation of the Southern Pacific
Company to Politics.
short time ago Hon. Grove L. John.
son, of this city, addressed letter to c. P,
Huntington, President of the Southern
Pacific Company. in which he called Mr..
Huntington's attention to the statements
recently published as emanating from him
to the effect that the railroad company is
out of politics. Mr.. Johnson, in his letter.
stated that certain people in this CITY had
claimed the right TO represent the company
In politics and to express its views, and be
asked Mr.. Huntington directly whether
the published statements could be relied
upon. He also inquired of Mr.. Hunting
ton whether any person in Sacramento is
authorized to speak for the company in
politics, or to influence in any manner the
opinions or actions of its employees.
In response to his letter Mr. johnson re-
ceiyed from Mr.. Huntington the following
communication, which we deem of suffi-
clent general interest t. publish
New YORK, June II, 1890.
non. Grore l.. johnson, Sacramento, Cdl-MY
DEAR SIR: am in receipt of YOUR favor of June
"a, ana nave noted Its contents with attention
ana thanks Tor your candor take pleasure in
answering your inquiry with equal frankness,
knowing full well the spirit that must have an,
MATED IL. Whilst was much pleased to hear
from one OF Sacfamento's Oldest and most re-
spected citizens, regretted to learn, as DO
from your letter that certain OF the employees of
the southern Pacific Company are spending
mucn OF their time i'll the endesvor to advance
the interests OF certain party. This is all
wrong and will not be tolerated by the COM
pany, every officer and employe of which is re.
celying salary for his careful attention to It's
interests and prosperity, and for nothing else
them tfre- Tbot; ,@
they viii be dismissed from the company s
service.
1t is an annoying fact, and am very sorry
to say that the Southern Pacific Company has
been used quite too long, and by those who
knew better, as an instrument to advance the
personal interests of individuals. The Southern
Paclnc Company was not created for such q
purpose, bus for the legitimate business of
transporting persons and property, and that for
all parties and creeds alike. IL has often been
diverted. from this legitimate use, but those
VINO dld II, or permitted it to be DONE knew
tnat II was great and inexousable wrong
But trust that is all past now and if its Presi-
dent can prevent the return of such a condi-
ton OF affairs it will not occur hereafter
IL gives me pleasure to be able to say that
believe no corporation in America has in its
employ truer or better men, men more loyal to
the corporate interests that they represent, than
the employees of the Southern Pacific Coropauv
Dut regret 10 say that there are a few who
nave been kept upon the pay-rolls and paid
with the money OF the corporation to serve in
ulNluuaIs, Wnen the DONG OF 1t was against the
best Interests not only of the company itself
but OF the State, and one party particularly in
sacramento has made himself very prominent
IN his efforts to influence what is known as the
railroad vote. | do not wish to be under
stood as believing that our employees should
not appreciate the great political questions of
their time and country, or that they should not
exercise the right of suffrage according to the
dictates OF their consciences. on the contrary
hold that every American citizen who has a
vote should cas-. it for the party which repre-
sents TO him the best and most honest princi-
pies OF government and tor the men whom he
conseientlously considers to be the most able
and earnest in carrying out those principles and
most courageous and unfiinching in their ad-
herence to them. By so doing every employe
of the Southern Pacific Company viii not in.
Jure but best serve the interest of the corpora
ton which he in part represents, for the South
ern Pacihe Company asks from the people moth
ing but the consideration and fair treatment
that is due to any other organized body OF its
citizens, and believe that so long as the corpo-
ration does its duty by the people as simple
carrier OF their persons and property without
unjust favor to one over the other by reason of
any undue influence which il may have the
power TO exert, 1t will in turn secure the appro-
baton and the protection of all good men,
This is the policy marked out for the future
by the directing officers of the Southern Pacific
Company, and this policy, and this only, will
be acceptable to, yours sincerely,
c. p HUNTINGTON