The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-11-04
Is the Ru1@ of Corporations To Be
Endorsed2

For some years the people all over the
country have been denouncing monopolles
and trusts. Particularly the farmers. And
in no state has the protest against the oppres-
sion of huge aggregations, the rule OF cor
poratons, and the monopoly of trade been
more pronounced. Every article OF neeessi-
ty is controlled by trust. The supply is
limited and prices fixed to satisfy the greed OF
the trusts, and the people are helpless. The
mill combination regulates the price of wheat
to large degree, and the lumber trust, the
nail trust, and the hundreds of other trusts
raise the price of everything the farmer
requires While prosperity is being indus
triousy proclaimed on all hands, it is fact
that the price of wheat and corn is lower
now than last year. The prosperity is
confined to the corporations and trusts ne
farmer and mechanic, the merchant, the la
iaborer and the people generally are at &
standstill or going behind.
One of the worst corporations in the coun-
try is the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. ltpays
no taxes of any consequence, though Its
property IN this state is worth many millions
of dollars, and by reason of this 1t has an ad-
vantage over all competitors. In Carroll,
though it pays nothing to the support OF the
county government, it is continual expense
to the county. Much of the criminal business
that occupies the time of court and iuries,
comes from that road, and some of the joint
bridges between Carroll and Howard were
built mainly to accommodate people who
travel on the road and ship by it.
1t is a souIless corporation. 1t is not salts
fed with the tax exemptions it enjoys, by
reason of its charter granted many years ago.
bat it seeks to control the state government
for four years more. In 1895 it espoused the
cause of the Allegany Ring and coerced its
employees to vote for Lowndss At the SEES
sion of the Legislature of 1896, john X.
Cowen. the President of the road, virtually
made the assessment law, and that law taxed
the belt tunnel in Baltimore city, virtually
awned by the B. 4 o., aud which cost many
millions Of dollars, merely as SO many miles
road bed. That law also greatly reduced the
tax on the rolling stock Of the road. Cowen
made l.owudes decline to sign the assessment
law unless these exemptions were made.
The Baltimore 4 Ohio now wants 10 buy
the Chesapeake Ohio Caaal a, a price
which is but little better than a gift. Cowen
has formed an alliance with Lowndes and
every power Of the railroad will be used to
elect the Republican state ticket aud Legisis
ture. If IoUudes is elected the sale Of the
canal will be effected. The railroad Siil de-
siroy the canal aud the counties of Mout.
gomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany
and Garrett, including the coal fields, will
have no competing transportation line aud
will be al the mercy of soulless aud oppres-
siye corporation. The price TO be paid for
the canal is $500. 900. Of which 500, 600 viii
90 10 pay claims in favor Of which the state
has waived its claims. THIS same canal prop
erty John X. Cowen said la 1890, when the
Democrats proposed to sell it to another rail
road Tor 81, 500. 900, was worth over 5000,
00o The proposed sale in 1890 WAS called a
steal If SO, the proposed sale by Lowades i
worse than steal.
Through Lloyd T.owndes the Baltimore L
Ohio railroad has the State Of Maryland BY
the throat Il desires 10 continue tha, hold
through another term for Gov. Lowndes, snd
il will do SO If the people, regardless Of party.
do not rise in their might and barry Lloyd
i.owuaes with their ballots next Tuesday.
Every voter who believes the people, NOT q
soullcSs corporation, presided over by an un
<erupalous politician, should rule this state.
sill vote against the whole Republican ticket.
II they DO not throw of this yoke now on them
through aa alliance With the Allegany Ring,
they should not eompi.in hereafter Of the rule
az corporations and monopolies.