The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1890-03-20
Mr.. Hoke Smiths Speech.


Mr.. Smith stated substantially that
The population of DeKalb county con.
sists largely offarmers, and that he intended
TO call their attention to IA subject of vital
Importance to the agricultural interests OF
that county and to the entire state.
The farmer is the great consumer as well
as the great producer. A large part OF
what he uses has been shipped into Geor.
gia. He pays but little freight directly into
the hands of the agents of the railroads,
but the merchant or exchange, handling
what he consumes and produces, pays the
freight. When the merchant sells an arti.
Gle to the farmer he adds to the original
cost the price of transportation, and the
farmer pays original cost, together with
freight charges and profits to the merchant.
THE FARMER, HE PAYS THE FREIGHr.
So that when the farmer buys from the
merchant he really pays the freight which
goes to the railroad company. For the
cost Of the article produced is increased by
reason of the freight.
Again, when the farmer sells his
crop, it is largely shipped out of Georgia.
The merchant fixes the price which he is
able to pay the farmer for his cotton by the
price in New York where the cotton is to
DO sold, and the merchant, to make any,
thing himself, must deduct from the New
York price Of cotton tho cost of transporta-
ton, before he fixes the sum which he can
afford to pay the farmer.
No class of men, therefore, are more
deeply interested in railroad freight charges
than the farmers of our state For these
charges lessen the price of what they Sell,
and increase the cost Of what they buy
The proposition being granted that
farmers are vitality interested in railroad
TRANSFORMATION charges, the question natur-
ally arises, what can they do towards
looking after their interest? Mr.. Smith
then said:
NOT FOR THE RICH ALONE.
''No one appreciates more than do the
wonderful power of the railroads to bring
blessings to the human race. OF all crea-
tons of genius none stands higher than
these of Watt and Stevenson. feel sure
their minds were moved by that all-wise
infinite Being who doeth all things we'll
But l cannot render thanks for these bless
ings to those who are simply utilizing fol-
gain the inventions which were intended
TO, the masses of the human race. The
best of Gods gifts have not been sent fol-
he rich alone"
These Inventions he said, could only b.
utilized by resort to the states right o
eminent domain, the right to take private
property for public use, and the exercise o
this right by railroad companies
was accompanied by right il
the public to control the railroads for TIN
good of the people. 1t was to impress tn
Importance of this right that he intende,
TO speak.
The railroad company has double duty
one to the stakeholder, whose money i
used to construct the enterprise, and an
other to the public, growing out OF the fac
that the power of the public had to be ex
ercised for the construction and preserva
ton of the railroads. They can rul
through private lands without the consen
OF the owner. They can cross the street
and roads belonging to the public The,
can exercise functions the use of which i
only justified upon the ground that the,
are public servants, and owe public duty
DIVIDENDS AND JUST RATES.
The public is interested in obtainin:
cheap rates and good accommodations, anC
in preventing discrimination. The stock
holders on the other side, are trying to oh
taiA bfS ulNluenuS, anu AT times IdNOr par
ticular localities and particular enterprises
in which they may be interested. 1t is tn,
right of the public TO see that these grea
vehicles of commerce charge such rates al
give simply fair profits to the stockholders
for every dollar comes out of the shippers
and the greater the profits to the stock
holders, the greater the burden placed
upon those whose goods are transported.
1t is true the railroads should be greatly
concerned for the welfare of the section.
tributary to them. But it is also true tina,
the increased freight rates will frequently
place burdens upon the people, at the same
time that they put dividends in the pockets
of the stockholders.
Mr.. Smith illustrated this proposition By
calling attention to the charge made by thu
Georgia railroad for hauling stone through
DeKalb county. He showed that tn,
prices charged were more than fair com
pensation to the railroad company for NOV
ing the stone. They were burden. Ye
the resources Of the county were so great il
this regard that the business could be con
tinued in spite Of the burden. II the rail