The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1892-06-02

AN investigation by the railroad COM
missioner should be made TO determine
before the next session of the legislature
the number of the free passes issued by
the various railroads in the state, the
classes of people TO whom such passes
are granted and the consideration for
which they are given. The free pass evil
is assuming such gigantic proportions
that the people, who in the end are the
greatest sufferers thereby, should have
some definite knowledge to guide them
in their attempt to remove 1T.
Legislatures throughout the union appear
to look upon the free pass as some thing
they are entitled to, and in few instances
where railroads refused wholesale issu-
ance of passes their protest against this
action took the shape of a boycott, thus
bringing the recalcitra ut companies ito
her knees. What was formerly looked
upon as an accommodation az as now TO
be insisted upon as a right. However, it is
a question whether the companies refer.
ICd TO were IN earnest IN their
withdrawal of the legislature salve or
whether theirs was only bluff to show
The temper of the legislatures. The rail-
roads will hardly wish to discontinue the
free pass as they have too much at stake
They know full well that every legislator
who accepts the bride places himself
under obligations to the railroad issuing
it, and that no legislator with a pass in
his pocket for himself and fifty for his
friends will not be influenced in voting
upon obscure measures by which rail
reads can be favored at the expense OF
he general public, which measures would
not be passed were it not by the silent
influence of the free pass. But legisla-
Cors are not wholly to blame for this state
of affairs. All who poster members for
| passes during sessions, and their name is
legion, not only abet the nuisance but
aid in demorahzing legislatures.
Though contrary to theinterstate CON-
hNi W oSb W IocuC passes SOOO ODu Vic
boundaries of the state in which they are
| issued, railroads have thus far by issuin g
a double pass, one good in one state and
the other in the adjoining, been abe to
clrcumyent the law, but the commission
| seems to be in earnest in their efforts
| to punish offenders against the law. But
the commission being limited to correct
| ing transgressions against the Interstate
! commerce act, the states must apply the
| ak at the root of the evil if this country
is not to be controlled by its railroads.
| That these fears are not groundless and
| that railroad companies have a sinister
| motive for issuing free passes becomes
| apparent when we look at the extent to
which the abuse is carried. Not only do
| Legislators hold passes but all members
of city councils, mayors, district attor-
| neys, marshals and sheritfs in the state
| are furnished them. 1t is claimed that
| only one circuit judge in Wisconsin re-
fuses to use free pass. Does this look
| as though a pure feeling of generos ity
promts the issuance of the free pass
Why should SO many United States, state
and city officials ride free? Who pays
for their passes? There are only two class
es really entitled to ride free, train hands
and railroad employees, when upon bust
ness connected with their road. Let the
next democratic legislature surround it.
self with a halo of glory by abolishing
this pernicious free pass system and thus
increase the independence of our legisa-
ture and open the way to general re
duetion of fares.