The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-02
WELLS-FARGo VS.. THE PEOPLE.

IECESSITY has arisen for again mentioning the
+ NJ unpatriotic and illegal stand OF the Wells
Fargo Express Company. This is corpora
ton vastly rich nurtured under the protection OF the
Government made more wealthy by the war in
which the Government has been involved, and yet re-
fusing to pay its share OF the burden OF expense 1t
prefers to wrest from patrons the tax Congress
meant it should pay. The Call is patron. 1t cheer
fully paws whatever the exigencies of the times has
demanded. The declaration was made IN advance
that it would do So But it refuses submit to the
exaction of Wells Fargo it declines to be robbed
The Wells Fargo combination shall never be per-
mitted ia practice larceny unless it shall first
the sanction OF the highest court in the land and we
do not believe this can be obtained.
Yesterday the express company presented to this
paper bill for the revenue stamps used packages
OF Calls forwarded by it. Payment was refused is
refused and will be refused. There is a principle in
volved principle OF far greater importance than the
sum at issue The company, through its representa-
tive has declared that it will receive papers
The position of the Examiner is similar to ours.
With that paper have had many differences, but
we congratulate it that in this matter stand
just its contention sound, and hope it will never
yield to the arrogant and selfish demand of a cor
poration governed by desire to swell dividends at
whatever cost of decency and whatever plunge into
shameless peculatiou
Officials of the company say they deplore conten-
ton and seek peace, but they do not depore to the
extent OF being honest and their seeking does not
go to the extreme OF keeping them within the bounds
of the law The statute is plain enough The officials
simply are dishonest. They know that they do not
speak the TRUTH and their idea to get the matter
into court and to keep it there until the shall
be thing Of the past Then the ultimate verdict will
not particularly interest them That the company is
playing the part of hypocrite is clear from the fact
that when the law was passed the companys attorney
consulted and gave the opinion that w Fargo
must pay the tax. Acting this, agents had been
given letter insructing them to pay the tax when
notice came that Eastern concerns had decided to
make a test case Wells Fargo, knowing that delay
would be inevitable was willing to await decision
In vain the United States District Attorney here
urged to take action He, too, willing to wait
BY hook or crook, some influence had succeeded in
introducing into his office marked and effective
paralysis that protector OF the rights OF the peo-
pie the office became useless II the District Attorney
continue deaf to the summons OF duty Judge de
Haven will be requested to put in his place somebody
capable OF performing the duties tar as the pres
ent controversy is concerned
We must ask from friends consideration during the
determination of the controversy II Wells Fargo
make good the threat not to carry Calls there will be
unavoidable hardness for the present in reaching
subscribers. Every effort will be made to have this
hardness as slight as possible. The mails will be
utilized, and feel that friends will understand the
situation and forbear complaining. We are. fighting
for more than paltry amount claimed by the ex-
press company Loyalty to the flag, sense that
will have the appreciation of all patriots sustains
The company was offered opportunity to make the
question the subject Of friendly suit and would not
consent. It chooses to fight, thinking to hold final
determination in allegiance until determination shall
be of no consequence to it. We are ready for the
fight will protest against sowness in the bringing Of
verdict and shall expect friends to stand by US, for
the fight will be much for them as for ourselves