The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-11-30
A ROBBER CORPORATION.

The people of California do not need
to be told by Adolph Sutro, or anybody
else, that the Southern Pacific Railroad
corporation is the element of all others
that 10 destroying the prosperity OF
country that should lead all others in
profitable productions land where
every honest toiler should receive a
larger proportion OF worldly wealth and
enjoy larger share OF comfort in con-
sequence, than may be achieved any
whore else on earth. 1t 10 almost an in
centivs to anarchy to be compelled to
submit to the tyranny and arrogance Of
this rapscioua monopoly whose defiance
of the rights of the people is clearly
expressed in their boast that because
they are . monopoly and have the power
they will charge for every service rem
dered, all the traffic will bear.
This corporation is q robber-nothing
loss. It is task-msster for whom the
agricultural community is toiling as the
slaves Of the Egyptians, erecting for the
men who control the corporation, for
tunes more colossal than the wealth OF
the Pharaohs. 1t is the assassin of our
commerce, the destroyer of trade and
an oprressor of the people.
The history OF this gigantic monopoly
to which we are mortgaged and in
whoHe grasp we struggle Intellectually is
too we'll known to require more than
passing mention as q reminder and an
illustration. Its inception was in the
Central Pacific railroad, which was built
with the proceeds of bonds guaranteed
by the government. This contribution
enormously ex ceeded the total cost OF
construction and equipment. The
essence OF tho contract between the
corporation and the government was the
repayment Of this money, but the free
hooters have not yet shown the slightest
disposition to yield even the interest and
taxes on their plumber. The entire loot
has been absorbed" by Huntington,
Stanford, Crocker and Hop kins and
they have come to believe that it be.
longs to them-that it is the honestly
earned wage OF their enterprise.
They laugh at every demand for resti-
tuition and reach for what may be left by
proposing what they are pleased to call
"a refunding BILL" and asking the
representatives of the people to become
their accomplices in a robbery that
transcends even that already perpe-
trateG.
1t was an ingenious theft. and one so
simple that the ordinary bunco operator
would have hesitated before ate M pting
it-imagining that the victims might re-
sist before the glorious purpose could be
accomplished. The process adopted by
the combination merely involved the
making of contracts with themselves
under various corporate names, notably
the infamous contract asd finance de.
partment and sundry development"
snnexes. BY this means they robbed
Peter to pay handsome tribute to Paul.
stripping the road of its assets and pock-
citing the government bounty.
At the beginning of the scheme their
aggregate wealth did not exceed $780,
600. When the robbery had been con-
summated the combination was worth
not less than $25, 900. 900 apiece, and the
government was left with an opport uni
ty to foreolose on two streaks OF rust
and right OF way"
Under the law the original stock
holders OF the Central Pacific railroad,
or their estates, are liable for it's ebte.
1t is the duty OF the attorney general to
sue these estates for the recovery OF the
stolen goods; but, instead of
pursuing this course, that off,
cial has come to the rescue
of the plunderers. He not only planned
the refunding bill, but it is seid that it
was drawn under his personal direction.
The principal purpose of this bill-the
only purpose as far as these men are
concerned-is the release of the manipu-
lators and their estates from their legal
obligations to pay the $75 900. 900 Dor
rowed and the $20,000,000 more that
will be due in few years. more
baretaced fraud, more brazen effort to
rob the people by robbers already con-
victed of one robber y has never been
attempted in the history of the world.
The New York World, commenting on
the probabilities Of this effort, calls at
tention to the fact that the charter OF
the Central Pacific company will expire
by limitation in 1918, ct which time the
liability of the plunderers also expires.
Mr.. Olney's reiunding bill provides for
the extension - the roads debt for so
years. II it becomes a law the COM
pany will die by Limitation before
this debt falls due. the liability of the
men who got the governments money
will come to an end, and the govern
ment will have to buy off fra. mort-
gage of $64,000,0O before it can even
foreclose on the two stresks OF rust
and a right of way"-all that will re-