Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-11-22
ASpecioas Plea.

We reproduce esewh here in this issue
communication upon the railroad question
in which hy q course of specioas reasoning
the writer arrives at the astounding conclu-
sion that because the JopRSAL believes
that the railroads into Chicago are under
obligations to make special rates for the
Worlds Fair therefore it must bold that
their present rates are cxtortionate.
Nothing could be wider from the truth
so far AS we know the present rates of
those roads are exceedingly reasonable.
our editorial was founded upon the recog
milton of the moral aud business ohliga-
tons that those roads would be under TO the
Exposition. Because of that event their
business will be vastly increased. They
will therefore he under direct and powerful
obligations to contribute 10 the success of
the hig fair in whatever measure they
reasonably can. Their rates may now be
rs low rs are consistent Wit. a good service
AMI fair return upon invested capital
quite a. low perhaps as their present vol
ume of business viii warrant Next year the
conditions will be widely different.
The Worlds Fair will vastly in
crease their business and enable
them to make handsome profits at much
lower rates-rates that very likely.
if adopted under present conditions, might
seriously cripple them and even entail finan-
cial disaster. Because of this fact we hold
that these roads will be both under business
and moral obligations to make reasonable
business concessions to the great Exposition
TO which they will be so greatly indebted and
therefore to its patrons. 1t is absurd TO speak
of what a traveller may or may not see
after he arrives at his journey end. This
has nothing whatever to do with his rela
tons with the railroads from any point of
view. We have given place to the CON-
munication in question because it admirably
illustrates the peculiar aud subtle fallacy
with which certain class of men are now
endesvoring to possess to public mind. Let
us give the reasoning of our correspondent
legitimate wider application and see how
il wears.
a. IL the rates of the railroads into
Chicago are fair for the thousands they
carry now they will be fair for the millions
they will carry next year Ii the present
rates would not be fair for the millions to
he carried next year then they are not fair
for the thousands carried this year,
(2.) If a railroad is justifable in asking
a dollar apiece for transporting company
of a thousand men between two points 1t
would be justified in asking the same price
per man for transporting company of
million between the same points il it is not
justified in asking company of million
one dollar each for such service then it
has no right to make that charge
on company of thousand
!. e.. volume of patronage should have no
consideration in the business world.
{3.) Ii merchant sells yard of cloth
for ten cents he will be justified in asking
the same price per yard by the web; if he
yard BY the web. then he would not be
justified in asking tina, price for yard.
/. e., retail merchants ought really to sell
their goods at the wholesale prices and sub
sist upon charity.
We might indefinitely multiply these
parallels. but We think the above will suf-
tee to bring out the fallaes We refer to.
The reference which our correspondent
makes to the public ownership of railroads
and which he seems to regard as peculiar
tenet Of progressive people, merits little
attention. So long as our great systems of
communication are wisely managed there
il no reason to apprehend any great growth
Of this sentiment. The spirit of our people
il essentially Republican. We look and
properly so with little favor upon move
mauts that are calculated TO take powers
ard privileges FROM the nassee and lodge
them in the general government. There
are dreamers who shout for Bethany and
Sigh for an era of nationalism. who long
% see about all the rights of the
pesple lodged in the general government.
Wen they have that very condition of affair.
IN Russia. and how does il work: Now
pabHc opinion y TIE greae power in this
csankxy and We are proud to believe it viii
esa1issc 70 b fer many years to come I'll