The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1894-04-06
Topeka NOTES.
LETTER NO. 8.

LETTER NO. 8.
Special to the GRAPHIC.
Topeka, KANSAS, April 11th.-
For many years the transportation
question has been one Of, SURPRISING
Importance to the people of Kansas.
The question has been discussed by
men of all shades of opinions; news
papers have been furnished with arti-
Giles calling attention to the unjustness
of the existing freight rates, and legis-
latures have been petitioned for re-
dress. The legislature in 1883 enacted
the present railroad law, creating a
board of railroad commissioners and
comforting upon them certain powers.
For time after the passage of this
law public telling WIS allayed to very
large extent. Later the people dis
| covered that, either OH account of the
| lameness of the law OF the inefficieDcy
of the railroad commissioners, no re-
lief was afforded, Again the agitation
of the question was renewed with
vigOr, and Since that time scarcely Il
platform has been adopted by either
of the political parties in the state
that did not contain plank demand
ing railroad legislation and reduc-
| ton in the eXbOrbItant freight rate
charges. In the campaign of 1890
this agitation eliminated in electing ii
large majority to the lower house of
men pledged to radical reform OH this
question, and us result the populist
house Of representatives passed what
is known us the "Maximum Freight
Rate Bill" This bill was defeated by
the republican senate which left the
matter still undecided. In the cam
paign of 1892 the question was again
brought prominently before the people.
The platforms OF both political parties
Incorporated vigorous resolutions
favOrlng railroad legislation and re-
to these demands the populist senate
in 1898 past the minimum Freight
Rate Bill" but it failed to be consid-
cred by the republican house and the
result WAS tine legislature again adj
journed without having affected any
reform on this question.
1t has been the aim and determination
of the present state officials to redeem
every promise made to the people so
far as lay in their power, and true to
their pledges, the present board of
railroad commissioners has been
zealously at work for months OH
the detail work of formulating a just
and eqitable schedule OF tariff; freight
rate sheet for the entire state of KAN
sas. They have progressed far enough
so that it is safe TO say that should
the schedule as contemplated be put
into effect it will'save to the people df,
Kansas, on a basis of last years buslE
ness, several million dollars. It is
their earnest desire to treat all inter
ests involved with exact and evell JUS
tice. After a fuIfan patient invest
igation of this important problatn they
have decided to take action in accord
ance with Section 18 of the rail
road commissioners act of 1888, which
will put the farmers, stock shipper ard
the merchants IN the small interior
towns OH an equal basis with, tile
larger ones.
The board is to. he congratulated
for the care and energy exercised in
this work. They took sufficient time
after being installed into office. to
fully acquaint themselves with the
duties pertaining thereto and have
proceeded i'll this matter cOnscren-
tiously as they believe to be their duty
and their actions will be approved and
by Il long suffering people
regardless of past or present political
J. NJ. Z,