The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1894-05-31
Alliance Talk
TConcluded.l

IDald tor the gOduS, tho COAPoA"VAoh
did not.~ They are capitalized a
I$9, OO,O0O,OOO. Half of this is fic
titious, and the public should not
be compelled to pay dividends on it.
We're the roads restricted to an in
come of 5per cont. upon their actu-
tual value, the public would save
$251, 100000 annually. This
princely sum represents the yearly
plunder of the corporations obtain
cd through the dishonist schemes
of watered stock. The law to tax
the property of the roads has at
length been passed, and after be-
ing contested by the road for two
years, is now in force. It affords
some encouragement, if we will
show determined front to these
corporations. We can make them
obey the law. Objections to gov
ernment owership considered first.
That there is no law for it.
| The answer to this is that rail
roads are public highways, necos-
sarily under the control of the
government. The law of eminent
domain condemned the land when
| the roads were built. Surely what
the law took from the people it
can restore. We propose to pay a
fair price for the property to be
assessed according to law. Se-
cond, That they would cost too
much-no man loses anything by
purchasing good property, ospoci-
ally if that property is injuring
him. No tax would have to bo
laid on the people to pay for the
roads. Legal tender treasury notes
Gun be issued direct from tho trea-
sury to pay for them; thus adding
to our circulation without taxing
anybody. BY operating the roads
upon n basis WHICH would yield
four per cent. upon their actual
value we would save $25O,OOO,-
600 per year in freights, and yet
accumulate fund in the treasury
which would soon pay the price of
the property. Third. That it is
paternalism. No moro 80 than the
post offices-no more 50 than coin
ing money. When power be-
comes dangerous to the life of the
Republic, the Republic must sub
ordinate that power or die-that is
the situation to-day. Fourth, That
persons injured by the trains will
have no redress. The jurisdiction
Of tho Court of claims can bo ex-
tended to embrace such issues.
There is no trouble whatever on
that point. Fifth. That it will
put the roads in politlcs-where
arc they now? Would to God we
could say they are not in politics,
controlling, corrupting and enslav-
ing. BY substituting government
we take away the motive for plum
dering the people, and tho crime
will die with tho death of the mo-
tive. II tho people arc capable of
self-government thoy can be trust.
ed with tho railroads; civil service
Reform is nm assured fact of the
near future, and this will prevent
} indlsorimlnate use Of railway ap
pointments for political purposes
Certainly the insolated, moderate
ly pard, closely watched railwa,
official, whethor Republican O
, Democrat, cannot do anything lik
t the harm that is now dono by close
ly organized, lavishly paid rail
= road kings, who defy watching ant
, control elections and Legislative is
) sues, by shameless use of tho cor
porato funds. This could not bt
done under government ownership
Il advantages considered First
| 1t would give a death blow to the
reign of tho corporation. Tho poo.
ple would bo boss again. Second
1t would stop corrupt legislation
in their behalf. The motive would
be good. Third. 1t would unshac-
kle trade and commerce from the
trust and the ring. They cannot
operate without the aid of the rail.
roads. 4th. Itwould stop discrim.
nations against certain personf