The Irish standard., 1896-10-31
JOHN LIND ON THE RAILROAD
QUESTION.
Extract From His Letter Of Accept.
ance of Nominal ton for Cove rmOr.

Extract From His Letter Of Accept
ance of NOmina ton for Governor.
The railroad question demands the atten-
officers appointed by him to administer
that important branch Of executive respon-
s.b.lity. 1t should not be approached in
hostile spirit, however hostile the railway
interests Of the state may be to our political
success. Both during the campaign, and If
charged with the responsibility of admin
.strat.on, / am sure that those of our peo-
pie who support me for the great Office for
which I have been nominated will neither
advocate nor seek to enforce any measure
tending to cripple any legitimate interest
in the state, much less one so closely iden-
titled with the development and welfare Of
our great commonwealth.
But, upon this subject, we shall insist
as we shall in all cases, that there shall
be IN this state no power. higher or greater
than the law and the duly constituted Off
GERS for it's execution. Every railroad cor
porat:on shall have the strong arm OF the
law applied in good faith for it's protec-
ton, but we also propose that it shall sub
NIT to its rule as we'll as the humblest cit
zen. That transportation rates, at least
on certain commodities, are unreasonably
high, and higher than in our silver states
less favorably situated, is a fact easily de-
monstrated. The Republican party in its
platform of 1890 pledged Itself ito secure
the reduction of rates on grain, lumber and
coal.' How it has redeemed the promise
let the people answer. In the section Of
the state where reside, on the lines OF the
Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul and the
Chicago & Northwestern, where am the
most familiar with the situation, rates on
grain, more especially. instead Of having
been reduced, have been advanced from 10
to Is per cent in the last ten years. This
fact remains true, though those companies
have made nominal reductions at few
points since called public attention tc
this state of affairs at Minneapolis some
weeks ago. The people have right to de-
mand, and it is the duty of those in AUTHOR
ity to see to it, that no greater burdens are
imposed upon our producers than justice
and far treatment to all interests demand.
No radical action is proposed, but we in
tend to see to It that rates are adjusted with
reference to the interests of the producer
as well as the railroad magnate. That such
is not now the case is best shown by the
evidence OF Mr.. Stickney, president Of the
Kansas City road. On Aug. last, before
the interstate commerce commission, he
testified: IT tell you, gentlemen. this
scheme of rate making Is what makes anar-
chists. It says to the farmer, DO as want
you to- or I'll see that you don't do any
thing else.' High rates are charged the
farmer for shipping his grain, and then the
rich grain merchants are given low cut
rates."
In the matter OF taxation the thoughtful
citizen cannot escape the conviction that
both our laws and our methods Of applying
them are defective. It is subject deserv-
ing the earnest attention of our people.
Under the present system the largest share
fall on property employed m production,
while many forms of accumulated wealth
escape entirely, and the burden generally
is uneaually and unjustly distributed. To
remedy this evil wise legislation must come
u