The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-05-22

true, this power should not be given to
a monopoly whose only aim is to make
money: but, should be in the hands Of
the government and operated for the
good of all, and not for the benefit of a
few favorites.
The higher courts have proven, I
think, that the government has the
right to own these. Railroads are
great corporations that almost rule III
legislatures and Congress. They have
the power to make and unmake almost
any law, and, of course, they look out
for their own interests Is it right
then for a public factor to be run in
the interests of a few to the detriment
of the many7 They aid trusts by dis
eliminating in charges. The Standard
Oil Company and others were built up
in this way. They give special terms
to some and do away with competition.
Again, see the profits that are real
lied from these and, of course, the
government could operate them a
economically, this great amount would
be left in the hands of the people. Take
what Jay Gould's family, the Wander
bits and other millionaires have, and
the great bulk of this was made from
railroads, and, if our system was in
effect, this would be scattered cut to
the people, for the people pay the bills
every time.
In 1891 there were over three hun
dred and fifty millions of dollars net
profits in railroading in this country.
Now scatter this three hundred and
fifty millions annually over this c1un
try, and is not that worth something's
Statistics prove, aside from the Watered
stock, that 80 per cent. is realized from
~railroading as an investment here. The
postal service proves the benefits of
this system beyond a doubt. Accord
ing to the Railroad Commission, 189D
there is in North Carolina $18, 425, 298
worth of railroads. Say the tax on this
is 81 on the 800 valuation. This would
put a tax of 1874. 252 90 on North Caro-
lima. Oh! you sag, that would ruin US;
but wait, is there not a revenue derived
from these which will more than Offset
this taxi Why, the State receives
1858, 206 per year interest from a two
thirds interest in the North Carolina
Railroad alone; nearly as much as her
tax would be on all the railroads in the
State.
Ihave shown that aside from watered
stock, the railroads clear 80 per cent.
on the money invested, and at this
rate, we would clear a large sum every
year over and above the tax on this
property.
There is two sides to everything, even
to a billy goat. They burn corn out
West while people starve for it in other
sections. Cur system would change
this. But, they tell US it will give too
much power in the hands of the gov
eminent. What is tie government
but the will of the people? Would the
people operate them to their own in
jury? To show you that the national
ownership Of telegraph lines is a good
thing, I refer you to those countries
where such is in vogue. There you
can send more words for the money
they are used more and are therefore
cheaper. 1t ought to be so the me-
chant could order his goods by tele-
graph and the farmer his goods by
telegraph and the lover could write to
her sweetheart by telegraph. The
Western Union clears over six millions
per year. Make these things public
| servants working for the good of all,
and not the tool of a rich ~plutocracy
! expressing one class for the good Of an
other.
Again, the Alliance demands a grad
uated tax on incomes; in other words,
it wants to put a limit to the million
aires possessions. In twenty-five years
from now, at the present rate of in
crease, the Vanderbilts Will be worth
over one billion of dollars. Incalculable,
infinite! Surely some law ought to be
made to stop this immense power.
ITO BE CONTINUED.