The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1895-04-27

array itself with progressive states
He declares his belief that no ten men |
in a thousand will uphold the common
law and continues: This / say with
out fear of serious contradiction. that
n statute of the character proposed
could be easily enacted, IL the tre-
mendous influences of the railroad cor
porations were not concentrated in con-
stant and active opposition. Is there
one to doubt that such n law would
find n place on the statute books IL
that opposition did no. exist? And
why do the corporations oppose it?
Only because it would result in in
creasing to some extent their own
pecuniary liabilities I know of no
other reason for their opposition. Bnt
exemptions from pecuniary liabilities
in this behalf is in itself the denial of
n right to others which should not be
denied. Considerations Of that char
acter cannot justify the maintenance
of n rule of law which, il not
wrong in its inception. has
been so widened in the scope of
its application that manifest injustice
is now infrequently done under its
operation? | would not do the least
injustice to railroal corporations. Bat
they should do justice themselves;
they should not seek an advanta re,
nor strive to avoid just responsibilities.
Especially should they not resort to
vicious or improper means to perpetu-
ate an advantage that on yht not to
exist at all. In view of the premises,
confidently appeal to the general as
fo net nd
measure of legislation on this su bject,
while at the same time l urge the
necessity of exercising every possible
care in its preparation, SO as to prevent
any abuse of its provisions.
The governor answers by quoting
from the constitution the contention
that he cannot limit the general as
sembly's action on a subject and holds
that the legislators must confine their
legislation on liza bilities for negligence
to railroad corporations. He contin
ues: $50 far as I have observed. this
contention has proceeded from rail
road circles. At all events, whoever
else may incline to favor a general
law the agents and lawyers of the
railroads are the special advocates of
that policy. But how does the inclu-
sion of other servants and masters in a
bill or law benefit the railroad corpor-
ations? What practical difference does
it make to them? Do railroad attor-
neys make this contention as phil
anthropists in the interests of human
ity, or in the hope that by enlist
ing multitude of opposing interests
they will be the better able to
defeat all legislation? Is not this
movement merely an exploit for re-
cruits? But some have said that to
confine the operation of q so-called fell
low-servants' bill to railroad corpora
tions and their employees is class legis-
lation. Might not the same thing be
said with equal force concerning the
laws enacted in the interest of miners?
Of the law for factory inspection? of
the law giving preferred liens to me-
chanics, landlords, etc, or the law pro-
viding that NO property shall be ex-
empt from execution of wages due a
house servant or common laborer?
Are not the statutes replete with So
called class legislation? Why should
there be any special sensitiveness on
that subject at this particular juno
ture? Railroads, as ! have said. are
semi-public corporations In this re-.
spect they are different from al.
most all other corporations. They are
clothed by law with peculiar and
extraordinary powers, rights and priv
ileges. They are employed in the pub
lie business. and. deal daily with the
people of the state. There are strong
reasons, founded in public policy,
aside from any abstract question OF
right, why the servants of such cor
pOrations should receive the recogni-
tion they ask. Those reasons have in.
fiuenced legislative thought in England
and in many American states, where
laws of this kind especially applicable
to railway employees have been en-
acted. In my opinion the various OBJ
jections urged against the proposed
legislation are wholly untenable. Sc
firmly am Of this opinion, that / am
unwilling to believe that a Missouri
general assembly will refuse to pass a
liberal law on the lines proposed
when opportunity is given for fair
consideration of the subject"
The third topic in the message is the
lobby. On this the governor says: 81
ask the general assembly to enact @
law to sustain. and, If possible. to sup
press the practice of lobbying, which
has grown into an alarming evil at the
capital. 1t has come to pass that GER
tain railroads maintain an organized
lobby at the state capital during the
sessions of the general assembly. Thi:
practice has prevailed for q number O
years. 1t is maintained ostensibly fol
the purpose of protecting the inter
ests of railroads against the assault!
OF the peoples representatives. In th'
prosecution of this service the lobby
agents Of these corporations have as
sumed that every measure which look!
to the regulation or control OF rail
roads, or by which they are affected
Is an attack upon them. This is al
insult to the people of the state, for L
assumes that they are viciously dis
: posed, and that they are incapable o
administering, or unwilling to admin
lister, public affairs in the spirit o
, right, honor and justice, and that 1t
necessary for the railroads to resort t.
. extraordinary agencies To protec
themselves against the hostility of th
very sovereignty which created them
because the people of the state d
now and then deem it wise and p-ovi
! dent to enact some law to preven
, abuses, and for the better governmsn
OF such corporations they are regarie
as enemies. and every proposal to Ell
act such a law is resented as declars
tion of war. And so to protect them
selves against the people who create
and support them, the corporations oil
, ganize o band of crafty diplomats c'
. terie OF skillfVl manipulators in the al
. of lobbying. and maintain them at III
q capitol OF the state These corparai
: agents, employed to influence publ
4 officials, have grown in numbers an
a audacity until they have become po
: itive nuisance, a menace and disgrac
q to the state. Not only do they inte
: fere in legislation which refers excl
s siysly to railroads, but they do not he
t itate to thrust themselves otficiousl
l. into important measures which rela'
= wholly to other subjects
d THE bad and long continued e
d ample of the railroad lobby has becon
v infections, Others have fallen und
J. its pernicious influence, until now u
# agents of more than one special inte
II est are kept at the capitol to protes
J. their employers against the represen
J. atiysa Of the people. About the stree
l. and hotels thsy are Ubiquitous; th'