Mexico weekly ledger., 1897-05-27

should pc protecteQ; tnat IL Woulu De
very unwise to cripple those interests,
and they felt that the interests of the
farmer and of the roads were, or
should be, mutual, that the roads
could no more do without the farm
than the farm could do without the
roads. II the railroads would
recognize this fact more than
they do there would not be the antag-
onism that there ls. From the very
best information attainable, even tax
ing the arguments presented by the
railroads themselves, they could well
have afforded this reduction in rates.
There was no disposition to push rail-
road legislation at this session further
than those touching freight rates-that
is, by the majority of the members.
And it was unfortunate, to my mind,
that the roads did not concede this.
True, the House passed the two cent
passenger rates, but not until it was
a foregone conclusion that the rail-
roads would defeat the freight bill in
the Senate. When it became known
that the roads demanded all and con-
ceded nothing, the cent fare bill was
passed through the House.
The railroads in this State are Civ
ing us a good and efficient service,
with the very best accommodation,b but
while all this is true, and a truth the
people are ready to recognize and en-
courage, yet the roads should, as far
as possible, tighten the burdens of
those upon whom they must depend
for support instead of bringing them
into servitude. The people of this
State, as history will attest, have been
great friends to the railroads. They
hailed their advent with joy and will
ingly and gladly lent helping hand
in their construction. Had the roads
have reciprocated that feeling of
mutual Interests and dependence,
there would have been peace and
harmony now. But when they ignore
the interests of the people, when they
assume dictation, when they become
exacting taskmasters, carrying their
interests by intimidation and bribery,
the public naturally look upon them
as a menace to the public good if not
striking at the life of our free institu-
tions. That Unsuitable greed that over
rides the peoples interests and the
toiler's welfare is dangerous to free
government. olive and let live," is
a motto that even railroads would do
we'll to heed. Unfortunately, instead
of resting their arguments upon facts
and hgures they resorted to the most
debasing method, threats and intimi-
dation. Men were there to argue that
if those measures passed wages would
be reduced, men would be thrown out
of employment and some roads dis
continued. If it be true that the rail-
roads can hold the lash over their
employees, and through them over the
people and thus force their measures
or prevent justice being done to all
classes, then, verify, free institutions
and FREQ government becomes a thing
of the past and the great mass of the
people are slaves to band of tyrants.
This whole question involves the ques-
ton of civil liberty.
The railroad employe seems to forget
that when he surrenders his manhood
to the railroad and truckles TO it's de-
mands that the road will reduce his
wages and dismiss him at its will,
whether legislation is favorable or un-
favorable. 1t is only in the assertion
of his manhood that he can possibly
hope to maintain his right for himself
Or for others.
There is one class of laborers whose
wages are exceedingly low and are
constantly getting lower, that seems
that is the very one upon whose labor
all other interests depend. And this
man has always been friend to and
has stood by the railroad employe as
well as all wage earners. This one is
the agriculturist, the farm laborer.
The railroad man talks long and loud
of the poor wife and children of his
employe suffering for the necessities
of life, but he seems to forget the fond
mother of the farm, who tolls early
and late, day in and day out, to help
lift the mortgage from the little farm,
or perchance the cradle in which the
baby is rocked, or the couch upon
which she would rest her weary limbs.
When the railroad employe enslaves
these he destroys himself and breaks
down his only hope of justice. Threats
are not arguments and better never
to be made. They tend to gender