Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1892-08-10
Col. Harris.


movement did not begin here. It be-
gan under far more unfavorable condi-
lions in Europe, in Germany, France
and England, in their struggle against
royalty. The idea seems to be preva-
lent among some that the tariff produc-
es all blessings, and we owe nothing to
the goodness of God. If we doubt it we
are called haV-seed socialists, free trade
fanatics, or fiat-money lunatics.
He then proceeded to relate the story
of the real cost and extortion of Kansas
railroads according to his personal ex-
perience, showing that even when built
with reckless extravaganza, the cost
was not over $4,000 per mile, while
bonds were voted to aid them and mil
lions OF acres of land, and yet they piled
up bonded Indebtedness of $50. 600 per
mile, on all of which the people are COM
PEELED to pay tribute. Among others
he mentioned the Union Pacific, to
which the Government loaned $4,000
per mile, on first mortgage security.
After persuading the Government to
take second mortgage security, they
then secured $1,000 more per mile. He
then described the origin of the Santa
Fe system in land grant. secured by a
treaty with the Pottawatomie Indians,
ratified by the senate. He showed how
the senate had thus given almost as
much Of the peoples land as the New
England states and Middle states COM
bined, of which most has since been
forfeited under their charters; but when
commissioner Sparks and his assistant,
LIE Bourne, recommended that these
lands be forfeited, they were dismissed,
by dint of railroad power, inside of two
months. He then gave an interesting
account of the Credit MObelier swindle,
showing how the directors concerned,
Stamford, Huntington and others, vOt-
ing themselves stocks amounting to
millions of dollars, and how, when an
act OF congress required paid-up stock,
they lost their books and swore to the
stock. He then stated that, as he had
been agent for railroad lands in Kan
sas, he could give the range, township
and section, of tract after tract, which
had been transferred to high officers,
and even to the governor of Kansas,
without valuable consideration.
He then recalled the idea of Stephen
son, that the railroad was the Kings
highway, and cited the Leavenworth
bridge case, in which the courts decide
that when the charters have expired the
road reverts to the Government, thus
establishing the ultimate proprietary
right in the Government. Transporta-
ton, he stated, is, in modern life, es-
sential, like the air, and should be as
free as the air. That Government is
| best which best preserves the welfare
! of the people. There is no excuse for
Government unless 1t promotes the well
fare OF the people. He then arraigned
the United States Senate, and told how
Patrick Henry fought for two long days
against it, but was prevailed against by
Randolph, who did not want to trust all
legislation to the common herd" as
he called them. In opposition to this
sentiment was that of Buckles, in his
History Civilization, showing that all
reforms come from the lower classes
and not the rulers.
| This reform in railroad management,
he said, was not new. Belgium has
constructed, owns and operates roads
of her own. Seventy-fve per cent. of
the roads there belong to the state, the
remainder belonging to individuals,
thus keeping up competition in i'm
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS without mo.
nopOly. Germany and France are the
principal stockholders in their roads
Russia owns hers. England for long
time, permitted her roads to run like
ours, but was finally compelled to put
them under the strict supervision of q
committee. Australia owns and Oper
ates her own roads. The financial wreck.
ing policy of the American roads has
usually been against the wishes of the
managers, whose desire iS to make the
roads successful. We are not against
such men-the true railroad men. But
what is the Government to doP The
interstate commerce commission haI
decided that they can do nothing but
scold, having found but one helpless lit
tie freight agent to make scape-goat
for his employer. The State Board have
decided that they have only advisory
power.
The U. p. railroad will be defaultel
next year. They have been begging foul
years for loan at per cent. The re-
ownership, at present existing, Is only
one form of Government ownership
Let the Government take full charge Of
the Union Pacific and run branch lines
to all the large centers. Duty demands
it. Operation by the government ha!
ALWAYS proven success. The roads o.
the United States are now bonded al
, SCI 600 per mile, on which we pay pei
cent. interest, besides per cent. dlvi
dents. They can be duplicated at from
$50, 900 to SIS, 900 per mile.
, Turning, then, to the financial ques
tion, he spoke of the charges made tina
: our plans were visionary and imprac
tical, then gave Jno. Sherman's schem,
for $50, 1000, 900 to be issued for Nicara
d qua canal, on which to base a bankin,
: system. Visionary and impractical
t Some even want bank paper issued Oh
t railroad bonds.
Q Battles and campaigns often turn OF
a points we least expect. Neither Lee
n nor Meade intended to fight at Gettys
Q burg, but the battle began and Roun,
: Top and its sister ridge became the van
d tage ground of the struggle. So in thi
e campaign, silver coinage has become tn
}. pivotal question. Ingalls,, Plumb an
; Perkins have supported it in the past
twenty-one democratic state conven
tiOns have decided for it, yet it has bee
I ignored at the nod and beck Of LON