The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-19
ONE TRUE REMEDY.

The mass-meeting held at Metropolitan
Hall Saturday evening appears to be the
beginning of a sequel to the agitation
which ended with the adoption of the con-
stitution of 1879. That agitation was pro-
duced principally by the conduct of the
Southern Pacific Company, and out of it
grew constitution and laws intended to
effect fair adjustment of the relations
between the company and the public. The
principal purpose of the present agitation
is to put those laws in force. That is to
say, after observing that the laws have
been ignored and perverted for sixteen
years California is beginning to think of
enforcing them.
The situation is bristling with invita-
lions to the commission of error. How
ever generous and fair may be the inten-
tions of the movers in the present agita-
ton, there is danger of its taking on a
character which will tend to unite all capt.
talists and so bring to the Southern Pacific
a greater power of resistance than it now
enjoys. That was the error in expediency
committed by the former agitation, and it
largely explains the failure of the remedial
measures which sprang from it. 1t is true
interests outside the railroad, some in
which it is interested and others with
which it has no financial connection, and
that these uphold it. The policy now
should be not to strengthen this combina-
ton, but on the contrary to weaken it,
BY the very nature of things certain
sympathy exists among capitalists, Just as
there does among laborers Now and then
capitalist rises superior to this general
condition. Invariably such men will be
found independent and public-spirited,
cherishing no fear of antagonizing other
capitalists and lending their capital and
energies to the development of the com
munity. 1t is in upholding such men as
these and securing their sympathy and CO.
operation, rather than by presenting an
antagonistic front to capitalists in general,
that one of the best opportunities for relief
can be seized.
For instance, the construction of the
San Francisco and San Joaquin Valley
Railroad would effect more in bringing the
Southern Pacific under the operation of
the laws and in proper relation to the ma
terial needs of the people than any phi
lippics aimed at its practices. If the extern
sive dissatisfaction felt for the Southern
Pacific should be concentrated on the
Valley road many difficulties would disap-
pear as by magic. This is workaday,
business age. The most successful cru
sades are those which bring material re-
lief. That accounts for the wonderful
success of the Salvation Army, and ex-
plains the reformation effected by the
Merchants Association in purging the
street-sweeping contract system of crook
edness. 1t is hard, shrewd, selfish, prac-
teal age, and its morality depends largely
on the wise application of business prin-
clples to the needs of the race.
As 1t is so much easier to talk than to act,
the leading spirits of the present agitation
run the risk which attends upon all re-
formers, that of being charged with a
greater fondness for precept than example
The movement, wisely conducted on sound
business principles, might effect all the
good which it has at heart, and its course
will determine whether it receive or repel
the sympathy and cooperation of the
strong, free and public spirited capitalists
of the State