The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-10-08
FAIRLY STATED.

Under the title OF the ''Rise and Fal
of the Populist Party" Frank B. Tracy
does some vigorous writing in the Octo
Der number of the Forum. While dep
recatlng the existence and the fallacies
of this party he goes into the cause;
which led to its organization, enumerat.
in, three of them as Transportation
Land and Money. Its not claimed that
the usurpations practiced by corporate
| bodies justified the breaking up of old
party affiliations. On this line, the
EAGLE has consistently and Industrious
ly opposed every step taken by the un-
reasoning stampeders from Republican
ranks, believing the inequalities could be
adjusted within the limits of the party
which has ever stood for advancement
and equal justice to all. The points
made this writer however, are pertinent
to the main question and quite sugges-
tive to the managers of railway corpora
tons which affect a perpetual night
mare of fear lest their earnings should
be cut off by vicious legislation. He
says: 'The history Of the methods of
western railway corporations is a story
of rapacity, fraud, extortion and gigan-
tic plumber. < Nothing has done
more to injure the west than these
freight rates. The railroads have re-
tarded its growth as much as they
first fastened it. The rates are often
four times as large as eastern rates.
For example, let New York dealer con-
slider freight bill of $50 for car of
crockery shipped 125 miles. That is the
Nebraska rate. The extortionate char
acter of the freight rates has been recog-
nized by all parties, and all have pledged
themselves to lower them, but no state
west of the Missouri has been able to do
so. i Railways have often
acquired mines and other properties by
placing such high freight rates upon
their products that the owner was COM
PEELED to sell at the railroad company's
own terms. These freight rates have
been especially burdensome to the farm
ers, who are far from their selling and
buying markets, thus robbing them in
both directions. Another fact which has
melted the farmer against corporations
is the bold and unblushing participation
of the railways in politics. At every
political convention their emissaries are
present with Establishments and passes
and other practical arguments to secure
the nomination of their friends. The
sessions of these legislatures are disgust
ing scenes of bribery and debauchery,
while no redress has been given to the
farmer"
Fearless and caustic as they are, the
facts are too notorious to gainsay this
writer's assertions. They portray con-
dition not only abnormal, but mani
testify unjust and rIinous to the in
terests of the west. These extra freight
charges show to the people of Kansas
and Nebraska that the roads were
extended west of the Missouri
for the sole and only purpose
of levying tribute sufficient to make up
the losses at other points where compe-
tition is greater. The hardship is all the
greater by the lines having been con-
structed by the taxes voluntarily voted
by the people. 1t has been held as a
privilege to grant the right-of-way, to
supply depot grounds and yard facilities
at all points. BY any fair rule of reci-
procity the public should have fair treat.
ment, but the facts 10 the contrary, are
plainly warranted in Mr.. Tracy's forcible
language. He very properly attributes
the responsibility for Populistic tenden-
cies to these extortions more than politi-
cal causes.
Ii his frank. unprecedented state
ment of the facts could be spread broad
cast. especially among eastern investors,
who hold the bulk of railway shares, it
would not only allay prejudice against
the west. but it might serve as an eve
opener to the methods by which their
dividends are collected. If the railroads
are 10 be embarrassed by Pop legislation
they will have themselves mostly to
blame. but meantime il is refreshing to
see fair, straightforward exhibit of the
facts in magazine so widely read as
the Forum. 1t would hardly admit TO
its columns the rank socialism generally
attributed TO western papers which have
the courage to call things by their proper
names. or to demand what Is due
US as matter OF right. Time
and perseverance of the never-say-die
variety will redress our grievances and
give us an equal show in the race for
commercial and industrial supremacy.
Inc Insane plea OF the Pops for gov
eminent ownership will not do il: COM
petition between what will. in time. be
rival lines, will not do it while they are
permitted TO charge double rates under
the forms of law; bus the court OF last
resort-ihe peopie-wiLl render the YER
dict from which there Is no appeal.
1t Is claimed that the Sherman bin
was passed as a compronise and :, Iooi-s