The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1890-01-17

election SO that the list we would
send you will be correct list of the
present Secretaries, as at this cleo
ton there are frequently many
changes. Will send it to you however
in a few days. AUGUST POST.
Now that Gov. Larrabee has won
so great a victory over the railway
robbers of Iowa, we read a portion
of his inaugural address of 1888 with
great interest, and reprint it:
The Granger Law remained a part
was during this whole period resist
ed by all the forces that could be
marshaled by the railroad compan-
les. The law was denounced by it's
opponents as cOmmunistic in it's
tendency, destined to ruin railroad
interests and hence to prevent the
construction of new roads. 1t was
contested in State and Federal
courts until it was finally declared
legal by the highest judicial tribunal
of the Nation.
| While the law was crude in some
respects, it was nevertheless a great
achievement, illustrating the power
of the people under our system OF
government to correct evils even
when defended by organized capital.
Failing to defeat the law in the
courts, the railroad managers again
turned to the legislature and plead
piteously for it's repeal.
Their friends. supported by mem
bers either inclined to conservatism
or representing localities disposed to
hold out every possible encourage
ment to railroad construction, sue
ceeded, after much augmentation, in
having the Granger Law repealed
and the present Commissioner law
enacted in it's stead.
1t has often been alleged that the
partial cessation of railroad con-
struction following the enactment OF
the Granger Law was it's legitimate
result. 1t will be remembered, how
ever, that railroad enterprise was no
more stagnant in Iowa than in 9th
err states, where these alleged causes
did not operate.
1t has also been stated that the
law was changed in obedience to a
demand of the people, but this ale
Cation is likewise contrary to the
fact. 1t is true, the railroads had
SO applied the law as to make it obi
Gus in some localities and had by
their peculiar strategy succeeded in
persuading some of our best public
men that it was not adapted to all
interests and often worked injustice d;
yet majority Of our peOple regarded
it, upon the whole, as just and whole
some, and desired an amendment OF
several of it's provisions rather than
it's repeal. Nevertheless, when the
commissioner system was adopted,
they conceded to it the right of an
honest trial. Having once secured
the right to establish rates, they
were prepared to accept any legisla-
ton which promised an equitable adj
justment OF existing controversies
To enable cities and towns to Sc
cure new roads and obtain more fav-
orable rates through competition,
laws were also enacted permitting
them to vote a tax to the extent of
five per cent on their assessed value
to aid in the construction of project
ed roads. Under this law millions of
dollars were donated, and many new
roads were constructed, and for a
time this new policy seemed to &C
complish it's purpose.
Railroad managers soon learned,
however, that by arrangements
among themselves, such as pooling,
division OF territory and division OF
business, they could manage to
maintain unreasonable rates. Owing
to these various devices, there is
practically no competition as to
rates in the transportation business
of the State. Occasionally one road
will become dissatisfied with the di-
vision of the spells and cut under the
combination schedule; but treaty
is soon effected, and the old rates are
restored.
The charges for transportation at
present prevailing in the State are
by far too high, and bear little or no
relation to the cost of the service.
Although steel rails can now be pur-
chased for One-third of the price paid
for the iron rails that were laid upon
roads built fifteen years ago, and en-
gines, cars and coal have deprecated
in value in nearly the same proper
ton, local freight and passenger
rates have not decreased to any per-
ceptible degree. Railroad companies
should not be allowed to reap all the
profits growing out of modern in
ventions and the reduced cost of
equipping and operating their roads.
With almost equal propriety might
wooden and cotton fabrics still be
sold at colonial prices. But railroad
managers aver that the interest paid
on their bonded indebtedness and the
dividends earned by their stock are