The record-union., 1894-09-03
THE RULING MOTIVE.

We have said recently in these columns
that the popularity of the proposition to
have the Government secure the absolute
ownership of the railroad line from
Omaha to Sacramento was referable to
the uninformed notion that Governments
possess the power of magic in the crea-
ton and expenditure of money.
The people who favor Government
ownership of the bond-aided Pacific rail-
roads believe that such Government
ownership and management would set
up standard to which ali other roads
must come, and thus maintain lower
rates of transportation. They believe
that the Government could afford to
forego all hope of profit and all return on
the capital invested in the roads; in short,
that the Government could operate the
roads at loss, for the indirect CONNER
cial advantage to the people of the United
States.
Mr.. Estee has half unconsciously ex-
pressed this thought. In his opening
speech he declared that it would
be of infinite value to the Pacific
States and Territories if the Gov
ernment owned and maintained a
single line of railroad from San Fran
cisco to the Missouri River. He contin-
ued that it would secure fair rates on
freights and passengers; that such road
WnnlH fn oil 81
portation companies; that it would in
crease immigration from the older States;
that it would enhance the value of our
property; that it would open new and
better markets for our products.
AS rule candidates tor Office acknowl-
edge their adherence only to such princi-
pies as may be prudent to profess, and
Mr.. Estee is one OF the class with strong
leaning toward popular professions,
solely because they are popular. Mr..
Estee has taken no unpopular position if
he knows it. He would not concur in
the Lords Prayer if it lost him one vote.
So the Republican candidate for Gov
ernor has presented just that phase of the
Pacific railroad problem which will place
himself in the most popular light. and
has left out every embarrassing considera-
ton, however obvious it may be. Mr..
Estee is an experienced politician, and
with true tradesman's instinct he is
putting the best of his wares on the top
of the box.
1t would be of value to the Pacific
States and Territories if the General Gov
ernment owned and controlled line OF
railroad, said Mr.. Estee. This would be
so because the Government might be ex-
pected to operate the line at a loss. A
private owner would operate it for profit.
Railroads are not eleemosynary institu-
tions. They are established on com
mercial and not a charitable basis. The
Government is the only party at whose
hands we could demand the indirect
value of commercial communication.
1t would be monitor to all other trans
portation companies and would protect
the rights of our people against the
aggression of any continental railway,
said Mr.. Estee. The thought that the
Government would be in a transconti-
mental pool is naturally very consoling
to us. 10 have one of the great lines of
communication between the Missouri
River and the Pacific Ocean in the hands
of proprietor SO rich and so strong as
to defy all competition is obviously more
pleasing to US than to its prospective
competitors.
When Mr.. Estee gave us these alluring
reasons for Government ownership and
control of the Central and Union Pacific
Railroads, he gave six great transconti-
mental lines stronger reasons for opposi-
finn. The reason advanced for the own
ership by the Government of a single
transeontinental line is the strongest that
could have been urged to secure the
united opposition of six great railway
lines to the measure proposed.
Moreover, the Government is notified
IN advance that if it does take pos
session of these lines it will be expected
20 operate them cheaply. II will be ex-
pacted to 30 reduce the rate OF trans