The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-02-02
SEATTLE. THURSDAY. FEB >.
RAILROAD LEGISLATION.

RAILROAD IEGiSLAJioS.
Now that the struggle Tor the sena-
forial nomination Ii over and the iegis-
nature is free to return TO the either I'M
portant duties for which II has assem-
bled. il becomes the duty Of the mem
hers Of both houses To proceed at once
10 the legislation with reference 70 the
railroads To which the Republican par
~ is pledged.
The protest OF the farmers against ex-
isting freight rates and conditions has
been of NO long standing that 1t cannot
safely be neglected further. 1t has been
voiced In the legislature in the past
aud on each occasion adequate legisfa-
ton has been defeated by the powerful
and corrupt lobby which the railroads
have maintained Sooner or later. un-
less the voice be listened 20. this same
influence viii overthrow the party
which Il In the aseenGancy and seal its
political fate Tor an indefinite time To
come.
Several bills for the amending Of the
existing evil conditions have been intro
duced into both house and senate at
Olympia Among them are bills fixing
maximum freight and passenger rates.
and another establishing a railroad
commission Apart from the question
Of the merit OF the particular bills. the
principles embodied in them are Of the
most urgent character. Railroad rates
in this state. beyond question. are an
fair and ineaultahle They work la
mentab.e hardshlps upon the farmers
and they seriously lnture the towns and
WIRE t+tttITE A&sfs tEti HhalsAkss1 uJ
law. inasmuch as the men who make
them absolutely refuse to modify them
as a matter OF business. they win even
tnaiiy effect serious siesFiment 10 the In.
terests OF the entire state.
Washington is in no position at this
critical time in its commercial aeveiop.
men, 10 tsnporlze w.th railroad lobby
ing or to frifae with reactlonary policies
Radical courses are always necessary
for these who VIII not yield n reason
able ones. If the railroads cannot De
persuaded. they must be coerced The
fact that they - far fear maximum
freight law as 10 spend great sums If
money In contrasting IL In the esurts
proves that they dread lest IT i,eealns a
whip In the hands II the peefle To- drive
them to grant propeF equities Il ia a
wholesome measure whirh viii accom-.
plish the ends II seeks.
The farmers. producers and snail.
shippers. and the larger brokers "a well.
need source % rellef against railroad
exsetlens. and the oaty Sae.hod whion
has been found soF satisfactorily agora
Ing th9s relief - railroad cesats,.ss 70 "a.
which shall ho Thoroughly ca4owea wlsn
power 10 deal with ,he rtvads. - ,sorss.-y
rates. 70 amend grievances aud L. t.2yn
rel eaedienee u the LAWS Toe creation
OF such a conawisslo7. has been recon-
menaea 10 the state legislature. aaA shg
recommendation mast be a<tea as-an.
The railroad issue IS ucs eae tn vhl-1
proerastsnaston eaa bs allowed upon A.,
ground whatever, The people was arg
demanding she regorsa fs:Ily ryallse tAs
fercex wsich ars working against Il. aaa
are eosnfsant az the uasS'sa,,s svSsyte,. q
for defeating Legislation They hel8 Ire
Republican party usdey STRESS prasssss
70 give shsna rellss ana sg s'se party fails
10 f~sseen sgs Word thes will knaN IT ~
5hey aal anew ~AAs a0wSg heg4s tAs