The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1890-03-21
EDITOR "GREAT VEST"

1t was the "Financier' that first
preached this subject of macada-
mized roads. In number 10 of the
"GREAT VEST you show that the
"Financier' is deeply interested in
the welfare of the Iowa railroads, so
much so that enc can't but think it
is controlled by railroad influence.
A suspicion enters my mind, that
the 'Financier" offered this PROPOSE
ton of macadamized roads, as q
sort of "Will o. the Wisp,' to &C.
duce farmers off from the right road.
The road we want is the 81
RAILROAD.
For macadam, we don't care a.
dam.(?)
Government ownership of rail-
roads is what we are after. But we
don't intend the government shall
buy them up at the rate they ape
bonded and stocked for. Not much I
The "GREAT VEST has shown us
by facts, and figures, what it really
cost to build, and equip a railroad.
The average stock, and debt Der
mile of the Minnesota railroad is
$40, 1888. 20 as per report of railroad
commissioners for year ending June
1888.
Between what it costs to build and
equip a road, and this stock and
debt, there is big discrepancy AS
it is in Minnesota, SO it is through
out the Union. There is rascaiitv
somewhere, and it is plain that the
people of this u s. have good case
against these railroad corporations.
When the League" composed of
the knights of labor and other labor
organizations, the alliances, the
oranges, and all who favor gov
eminent ownership of railroads is
perfected, it will contain a member
ship of at least two million. A small
assessment of say five, or ten cents
per member, would make up O. fund
large enough to employ corps of
the ablest lawyers OF the land.
A test case could be easily started
the issue that would form the basis
OF the complaint would be: "That
an unjust, extortionate CHARGE was
made, for service done, and then nro.
coed to prove it. The case could bo
carried up to the u. s. Supreme
Court in order to get an ultimate AZ.
cisiOn.
The people could petition congress
to pass an act authorizing the SUI
preme court to give this case =
special preference in order to ex-
pedite decision. And precedent-
the supreme court in the electoral
commission in 1876. rT--r,,'
Therevelations of malfeasancc cor-
ruption, and venality, which th;a
suit would show up would .warranf,
the court to. abrogate the charters.
OF most OF the railroads Of the II q
BY authorization of congress the
President could proclaim -sthat a:
the demands of public necessity re-
qulre the railroads to be Operated
and as congress has enacted that tho.
U. 5. government control and ar
range for the purchase of them .
ANSOOAOA1A ASCS1lOtU COMMISSION in
hereby appointed"
This commission could then ar
range for the purchase of railroad,
properties on precisely the some sys-.
tenn as the railroad corporaxiona,
used when condeming. and hnvino,.,
the right OF way from private cifS
zens. That is under the ssrirht 81
eminent domain" It's a pocr rrIe.
that won't work both WAYS What,o
gander. ~ e1ls
OF course some innocent stool
holders would suffer. but then thsv
would have a good case against
some individual manipnlator t.
pure unadulterateda Justice wonid
prevail prev IL. what VI 2 disgolgement would would
t tars place sno Hoping that l have ut
truly, iAMrs y ~. yours
ADRIAN, Mobiles Co., Feby a5th, 80.