The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1894-03-16
DEMOCRATS TO DEMOCRATS!
The Corporations vs.. The PeoplsA
Railroad Commission the Paramount
Issue,

! Prior 10 the democratic convention
held at Tampa in June, 1892, he cor
porations 10 control of the trausporta-
ton lines had so encroached upon the
rights Of the people as to ARE ST atten-
ton and awaken solicitude throughout
the state.
That convention, in response TO a
demand, as extended as the CONNER
cial and productive interests affected
| by these encToachments, declared, in
its platform OF principles, that trans
/ portatIon being a means of .Xchange
and public necessity, the govern
ment should control the railroads IN
| the interC st of the state"
Existing conditions have produced
feeling Of disquietude, confined to
no section of the state, based upon the
supposed inability of the democratic
| party, as now organized, 10 redeem
| The pledge TO the people involved in
| this declaration.
AT conference of democrats, repre-
senting all sections OF the state, drawn
| together by their feaity TO the demo-
cratic party, their unshaken faith in
its ability 10 redeem its pledges anu
| common purpose 10 labor for tiIis end,
we were designated committee 10
publish this address 10 the democrats
of Florida.
We earnestly disclaim, at the outset,
any antagOnisIn 10 railroad or Othtr
corporations, or any desire or purpose
to prevent capital from securing ii just
vestments; We insist that a sound pub
lie policy would encourage the f0rua-
ton OF corporations in, and invite cap
it0l to, tins state with view 70 our
transportation aud industrial develop
meut, but maintaining the duty OF
the people to protect the rights of cap
ita1 and laU0r alike, we submit 10 you
this address and ask for ii yuur caref uI
and conscientious consideration.
FLORIDA INTERESTS .ANTAGoNIXED.
Believing that the Industrial, COM
mercial and financial interests OF
Florida are antagouized by certiau
great transportation corporations
which have combined to wiring from
the producers and traders the legiti-
mate profits of their labor, aId be-
lieving that the people OF Florida de
which will insure to ihenlseIve Just
treatment at the hands Of sucn c0rpO-
rations, we appeal TO The dtmoctntic
voters of this state.
We charge that these transportation
companies, after having received from
the people, and frOn The state, valua-
ble franchises and privileges, also vast
bodies of public lands, are noC only 10
considerate Of the rights of the lndi-
vidual shipper, but are, in fact, un-
friendly Ia the best interests of the
state OF Florida, in that they seek to
divert from the seaports OF our own
state and transfer TO ports III other
states the shipping business which of
right belongs to our own ports such
as Fernandina, Tampa. Punta Gorda,
Jacksonville and Pensacola, ana upon
this we appeal to the democratic peo-
pie.
We charge that by eXtoriionate and
unjustitiable rates Of freight. also by
indifference i'm the matter Of handling
our produce, the tendency aud effect
OF their present methods of operation
are to paralyZe the vegetable, fruit,
lumber, phosphate and other iudu--
tries of Florida; and the aggrieved
shipper has no present available re-
dress and upon this we appeal To the
democratic people.
We charge that they have been most
persistent and untripg in their Efforts
To prevent legislation that Will pre-
serve the equahle relationship between
the producers and themselves 50 nee
essary to the welfare of our state, that
their retained attorneys ana agents
have acquired high pol teal influence,
whereby these corporations are eba-
bled 10 exercise und ue pOWerin direct
ing public affairs; ard that they are
now arranging to control the next
primaries and conventions of the
party to the end that they may con-
troll The next legislature; and upon this
we appeal TO tue democratic people.
UNFAIR DISCRIMINATION.
We charge that by secret methods
they have given undue and unfair adj
vantages to individuals, whereby prae-
tical mOnopOlies have been established
in certain branches of commerce to
the detritnent of all competing firms
and Individuals engaged III the same
business, and have practiced unjust
discrimination 10 the great injury to
the material interests of he majority
of our people; and upon this We APP
peal to the democratic people.
We charge that they have sought
and are seeking 10 boycott, autagouize
and prevent the construction and
maintenance of other transportation
lines over land and water, which OF
fer to the people of Florida reduction
Of the eXt0rtiOnate Rates of freight in
this state and TO and from other pOr-
tions of the United States, thereby
immense sums of money annually,
| which constitute large part Of their
earnings, as we'll as denying 10 them
increased facilities of commercial in
| tercourse; and upon this we appeal to
the democratic people.
We charge that they have assumed
through their owners and Officers the
| right to determine who SHAH be APP
pointed or elected to office in this
| state, and that through their attorneys
! and representatives they have sought
| to turn over to their uuu-resideut
| owners the right TO name democratic
! officials in Florida; and upon This we
| appeal TO the democratic people.
! Believing that the creator is, of
right, aud ever should he, superior to
/ the creature, We call upon the dino
! cratic voters of Florida 10 make the
/ question of state control OF transport
! tatiOn by common carriers leading
! issue III the election Of a legislature
! this year; and we urge that each can
| didaIe for election to thst hoiy be
! duly admouished of the conuition
/ upon which he shall receive his nOmi-
nation for Office.
! CORPORATIONS WILL DOMINATE.
1t is clear, if the existing conditions
continue, the danger is imminent, it
/ will not be many years before Ihes ate
government will Ue placed completely
under the domination of these Corpor-
/ ations; and it is necessary that the
masses of democracy In all parts Of
Florida shall organize, not only TO re-
move the existing evils, bot To avert