Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-09-26
John Demands Justice.

and said:
To-day am going to demand
perfect justice from all men. !
propose to have my rights to-day
He boarded a street car. The
conductor soon came around to
collect the fares. John passed him
two cents.
Five cents" said the conductor.
But | am only going mile -
said John.
Il don't care if you're only going
a block, you pay five cents in this
car" replied the conductor
"Why, | rode the VIII lie length
of the line-six Enthusiastically
and only paid five cents, and | don't
propose to pay the same price for
riding one mile," said John.
u don't care what you propose" "
said the conductor, ''you must
either pay your five cents or get
off"
Don't you see, man" said John,
show monstrously Unjust and in
equitable your action IS? There is
no justice in 1t. 1t is terrible out
rage. 1t is monstrous imposition.
Shall a man pay the same for one
barrel of -four that he does for six?
Shall he pay the same price for one
egg that he does for half dozen?
Shall he give as much for pair of
cuffs as he does for whole suitP
Shall he pay as much for riding one
mile as for riding sixp | refuse to
pay"
"Then you get of" said the con-
ductor. The car was stopped and
John was dropped on the sidewalk
without further ceremony.
"There is no justice in this world,
muttered John as he picked him
self up and started for the post
office to mail q letter.
What will be the postage on
letter which | wish to send to the
next town, distance Of three miles
and a half?" asked John.
1.-TWO cents, of course" replied
the clerk at the stamp window.
"Why, | sent one to San Fran
cisco yesterday for two cents" said
John, land that was about a thou
sand times as far"
Cant help that" said the clerk.
Cant help that! Why, man,
it's monstrops injustice. Does
this great American government
propose to sanction such All ini-
quitous act as this? Does it pro-
pose to give the approval of it's
governmental Endorsement to such
bare-faced injustice as this?"
81 guess she does" replied the
clerk.
'Then this government has en-
tered into covenant with sin. 1t
has become partner with iniquity,
and will have nothing to do with
a thing 50 base. will carry my
letter to the next town myself"
Government is very sorry to lose
your patronage" replied the clerk,
as John turned to go. at counted
on that two cents of yours to pay
the national debt"
John stood outside the post office
long time, Illuminating OH the
awful injustice that prevails in
society.
Move on, Don't block up the
sidewalk herew said u voice in his
ear.
John looked up and saw a police
man.
Isn't this free countryp" asked
John.
"Move on" said the policeman.
sam | injuring the sidewalk?"
asked John.
"Move on, | say, and don't try to
be fresh with mev
Your request, man, is unjust.
injure the sidewalk more by NOV
ing over it than ] do by standing
still. | might stand here for a
hundred years and not wear out
the city. | do not injure the mu-
nicipality by simply standing here.
| won't break the paving stones or
make the street cave in. have no
intention Of carrying off the post
Office i'll my pocket. ! stand here
for absolute justice. Give me my
rights"
The policeman took him by the
collar and hustled him across the
street. "Now," said he, "clear out.
IL see you here again will run
you in"
John concluded he would not
seek for absolute justice any more
that day. He still holds to the
opinion, however, that it is an ex-