The morning call., 1892-08-21

matters so that they appear to be warning
against the prosperity of the city and the
State. They are better off for facilities OF
trade in the southern part of the State and
also in tire northern than we are here, be-
cause there the Southern Pacific has not got
matters all its own way
DAsTARDLY CONDUCT.
Actually at this time we have Mr.. hunt
ington telling US that we have not an enter
prisiDg population, and that we can never
get the interior trade OF the state. Inc
railroad organ, the Record Union, had
long article the other day OF the same char
acter, stating that San francisco cannot
come to ANYTHING unless IL looks to trade
with China. Ii was an article OF most III
sulting character. AL this comes from men
who have dragged us down with excessive
freights who have subsidized steamers in
the Panama trade, and even the sailing
vessels that pass round the Horn. SO that 1t
has been impossible TO get freight at fair
rates.
Latterly our merchants and business men
have seen that their trade will all go away
unless they do something A splendid
location for business city like ours, with
one of the finest harDors in the world, the
only first-ciass harbOr, In fact, on the coast.
is checked by these men who have made mil
lions of money out of Us, and who control
our politics. They have been grabbing up
property here and everywhere, While we
have been kept down. They have managed
to get into their hands most of :he street
railroads OF San Francisco and Oakland on
their own terms.
PEOPLE MUST ACT.
1t has become necessity for people who
have property here 10 act. Ihey cannot
without utter ruin remain passive.
At the present time our troubles come
from another source. The bosses have done
mischief. but another evil has been the sys-
TEN of the railroad in coming to arrange
mens with men who were opposed to them,
giving some bride or advantage TO tempt
them into their hands. 1t is a question
whether most OF the warehouses are not
handled so as 10 make money tOr the rail-
road, which shares IN their profits. Very
likely the railroad shares in the profits of
the fruit shipments that are being made 10
London.
There is no dispute as to tie position that
California occupies. The State has bet
ter territory for progress than Chile has, but
Chile Is stale which has made great
strides. 1t has built railroads and has be-
come wealthy, while we are al stardstIll.
Every one who has got property knows that
there Is no Chance as matters stand al pres
emf. Cities are being built up north and
south OF Us, and they are advancing, while
We are kept back by the selfShness OF the
Southern Pacific Railroad people.
STATE OWNERSHIP OF RAILROADS.
What is California going TO DO? The way
matters are going on the sooner the rail
roads pass into the hands of the Govern
ment lie better for the people. and it is
question whether California had not better
take tie Initiative and stop this thing at
once. There is no doubt whatever that If
the different counties would OrganiZe-and
that would he very simple matter-they
could easily raise fund 20 relieve the
State OF this terrible oppression. There are
"a counties In California and less than half
million raised In each would suffice for the
Af.rf h. fa.s- a
tribute much larger SUMS than others, but
there is no question a. TO our ability to raise
the fund. and the money saved right off with
the railroads under our own control would
represent far more than the money raised By
the counties.
BRIGHTER PROSPECTS.
The quicker tie people Of the State move
the better II Will he san Francisco could
be made city in % or 30 years with pop
ulatlon o! S00,0Q0 or 1,C00,000 The State of
California could have IN % or 30 years a
population Of at least 5,0O0,O09. The people
should resolve not to be trIAed with any
more. Each county should move in the
matter at once, and all could act in concert
afterward There are enterprising people
people unselish enough who viii help the
project through. If the counties will only
act IN that way they will soon have rail-
roads opening up the State everywhere,
and equal 10 those OF any State in the
Union. Instead Of Stanford being able 10
cripple Us we should find the State and our
city advancing III population TO q wonderful
degree.
Many sensible people urge that the rail
roads should be owned by the General Gov
eminent. but 1t Is a question whether the
railroads should not rather be- owned by
the.seyeral States. Wherever railroads are
owned by Governments they have been sue
cessful. The roads in Belgium and part
If them ia Germany are owned bv the
Government There could not be any better
demonstration OF the good policy aud pros
perlty which follows than that afforded by
these countries Tie rates and passenger
fares are very low 10 Belgium. Chile is
certain 10 become prosperous By its railroad
system. Less than half million dollars
subscribed by each Of our 81 counties would
provide all the money needed.
WE COULD Buy UP THE PRESENT ROADS.
The money would give US the means to
build all the roads necessary, or to buy all
the existing roads up. Either one thing or
The other should be done. We can build
new roads, and just as there is power to
condemn nulsances, so there is power TO
condemn railroad property in the interest
of the State
This may appear to some minds like step
ping out too boldly. but the time is nearly
ripe when the country should own the whole
Of the railroads. Ii California were to take
this step II wuulQ enrich the whole State
Property would 1amp up in value, and
there would be return of good business
everywhere in the State. Ii is not too soon
TO breach this question. The people have
got 10 do II in the end, and the quicker the
State does II the better. California does
not need any assistance from the United
States. 1t has property enough TO build its
own railroads, and this city could be an-
other Chicago in 80 years, if the people will
exercise the power which they nave.
WARNING TO THE PEOPLE.
The people mag be cautioned as to what
they may expect in the way Of opposition to
any proposal that changes the railway
situation. We have men here who make
money out of the railroad one way or an
other in methods that the public are not
aware Of These men will stir up every
Kind OF opposition 10 the people taking pos
session OF the railroads. but the people may
have the fullest confidence that they can
take possession.
A condition Of prosperity would arrive
such as people have never dreamt Of, and
the railroad question would be settled once
for all. If, however, instead of moving we
permit these railroad men TO continue their
course. and TO grasp all means Of trans
DortatiOn, the water front of Oakland, the
ferries and most of the street railroads, and
to choose Supervisors indefinitely VINO will
excuse them from the payment of taxes and
to control the Legislature and all manner
Of offices. then we cannot expect prosperity,
but must sink lower aud lower In status