The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-07
THE RAILROADS
And CORRUPTION.
COMMITTEE OF ELEVEN ADDRESS A
DRASTIC LETTER TO THE
LEGISLATURE.
A LAST STAND FOR PURITY.
THEY DEMAND THAT LIGHT BE
TURNED ON THE SOUTHERN
PACIFIC.

The committee of eleven, appointed at
the mass-meeting of January II last, met
yesterday and, after some discussion,
adopted two letters, one to each of the two
branches of the Legislature, proposed
joint resolution to be acted upon by the
Legislature, and offered the draft of a bill
in aid of any committee of investigation
which may be appointed in pursuance of
the joint resolution. The committee of
eleven is composed of: G. G. Terrill, chair
man; John NJ. Reynolds, secretary; George
T. Gaden, III. E. Highton, J. A. Barry, F.
B. Gibson, E. S. Barney, Rev. E. R. Ollie,
I. J. Truman, Curtis Hillyer and Joseph
Leggett. 1t was the general sentiment
that, since the bills which had heretofore
been supported by the committee are al
most certain to be defeated in the Legisla-
ture, the committee should make a final
struggle to accomplish something. The
committee will therefore request the Legis-
lature to investigate the corrupting influ-
ence which is said to be exerted in State
and municipal affairs by the Southern Pa
cifc and its associated corporations.
H. E. Highton, Joseph Leggett and E.
S. Barney were appointed committee to
look after the interests of the joint resolu-
ton and the proposed act, and to-day
Speaker Lynch and President Flint will re-
ceive by mail from Mr.. Highton copies of
the documents.
The following is the letter to the Senate
and Assembly:
SAN FRANCISCO, March g. 1895
To the Members Of the Senate and assembly Of the
State Of Observation-Disclosures: The committee
OF eleven, appointed at a mass-meeting held in San
Francisco Saturday, January II, 1895, and which
has since acted in conformity with resolutions then
adopted. respectfully address your honorable
bodies;
l. They have supported the bill prepared by the
Attorney-General for the appointment of a nom
partisan commission and which has also received
the active and energetic advocacy of the Civic
Federation and other bodies within this CITY and
State, and they have sedulously refrained from
Offering any amendments substitutes which
might interfere with the progress of that measure.
q They now understand that that bill, the pro-
posed substitute for it-itself changed and modi-
hed-and all bills of similar nature now before
your honorable bodies, have encountered such I'M
lournment without any concession whatever TO the
wishes or the necessities OF the people.
g. They further understand that among other
objections the grounds chiefly assigned are the
sentiment of municipal independence, the full
capacity OF municipalities to manage their own
grand iuries and through their own legislative
and executive officers, and the injustice of saddling
the expense Of municipal investigations upon the
State at large
4. In the event. therefore, that neither the bill
honorable bodies to adopt the ACCOMMODATING Teso
lutions and bill in aid thereof for the following
reasons, which are respectfully presented, and
winch they believe may possibly secure your
unanimous approval:
ca 1t cannot be successfully denied that the
paramount question in this State is the alleged I'M
just and corrupt predominance of the South
ern Pacific Company, the group of corporations
which it represents, and the officers, stockholders
employees, agents and Intermediates of these cor
porations in the administration of the law and of
State offices and in both public and private affairs
t6) In this question every county, municipality
and individual within the State whose interests do
not conflict with the interests of the people and
the Government are equally concerned, and it can
matter should be- or that the results of such an in
quiry would be- confined to any particular locality
class.
(c) 1t would seem, then, that such an investiga-
ton as is proposed by the resolutions and the bill
now submitted for your consideration should re-
ceive general assent and support, unless we are
prepared TO admit that the corporations and indi-
viduals referred to are above the law, and that
population is not seIf-governed within the lines of
the State and Federal constitutions and the
statutes made in pursuance thereof.
1t is generally believed and the transparent facts
appear to be, that since the meeting Of January H.
1895 the railroad corporations and the persons in
cluded In the Joint resolutions, beyond former
rampant in their selfassertion and in contempt-
uons disregard of public opinion. So far as words
are concerned, spoken or written. they have always
been taclturn and moderate and, except in the use
OF indirect Venetian methods to assail individuals
they nave revealed their intentions and their OBJ
lects chiefly by their acts and by their conduct.
1t is in this customary manner that they have
recently denied the right and the power of the
people 10 make any investigation or to interfere,
directly or indirectly with their railroad masters
Whether at Washington or at Sacramento they
have been represented by powerful lobby and
have virtually declared their own supremacy and
their impacable determination 10 rule the State
and to crush all opposition to their behests In
Washington they have been temporarily beaten
on two OF their propositions but they are still
active there, and their arrogance and persistence
here are attested by the mass of legslation
in their interest now before your honorable
bodies. Their interference and their success in
ffpafi IN fnr have hanr
conspicuous They have occupied public streets
and damaged and even ruined property with reck-
less indifference 10 the law and the rights of ind-
vidnais ana communities. While large numbers of
indignant citizens were denouncing their schanes
IN San francisco, within few blocks OF the hall
where the meeting was held, they were deliberately
appropriating franchises and easements They are
now preparing for the practical confiscation of
Market street. Wherever streetcar straddles a
crossing and confronts a citizen the despotisln is
brutally exercised, which, in innumerabie WAYS
for quarter OF century, and with even accelera,
ting completeness, has substituted the existina
railroads for the government. saitv
These are either facts or delusons so uniyer
accepted that they ought to be PROMPTLY disnalled,
and upon this point 1t is hardly too much to ask
for unanimity among the Representatives of the
Senate and Assembly districts in the State We
request, therefore, if comprehensive legisla-
ton is impractcable that at least you act irnme-
votes, upon the resolutions and bill herewith sub
mitted: And we remain, gentlemen, very
Attest: Charles g. Terrill, Chairman: John M.
Reynolds, Secretary
This is the proposed Joint resolution
which accompanies the letters:
WHEREAS, For some years the principal rail-
roads OF this State have been owned and operated
by the following-named corporations, all substan-
TALLY under one management, and constituting a
monopoly of almost unprecedented strength and
influence known as the Southern Pacific Company;
and whereas, 1t is currently reported definitely
charged and by the people of this State generally
believed, that "The Pacific Railroads., their
officers, their stockholders, their employees, their
nd hy
surreptitous, fraudulent and corrupt means have
dominated the politics and the law of this State
and have exerted controlling influence not only
dangerous but disastrous to the best interests OF
the State and especially in the following par