The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-06-25

save only as self-interest may have die
ca the people tributary to q particular rail-
road system pay for II every ten years.
besides, very handsome return on the
original investment. So that il they had,
through their state government, built the
roads in the first place. they would have
made enough out of the investment to
without being any worse of than they are
now, and they would own the roads in
stead of the roads owning them.
On Canterbury Plains.
II cannot let Mr.. Sawkins' startling ex-
ample of the Canterbury plains. which he
engineered by Sir julius vogel.' so un-
challenged. In one direction we are seri-
ously informed by him, there Is liz miles
OF line fading TO one mans house through,
friend OF Fogel ana had this line built so
his children could use it in going 10 school,
Now / do not want 10 ask Mr.. Sawkins
where that particular school Is situated.
but will he be good enough to tel. me.
recent res dent of Canterbury, whereabouts
Is that line Of railway; As a matter OF
ton.
When Sir julius vogei, who was a lead
er eXeelling IN yigor of mnd and possess
ing an intuitive knowledge OF men and
figures. expounded his immigration and
public works scheme in 1870, the colony was
aghast at the holiness and magnificence
only sixty miles of railroad inSthat Whole
Colony. and he proposed 10 spend 5000
eco in ten years in railroads. roads. tele-
graphs and immigration. the Iasf named
with a view OF prov!d ng suitable labor 10
carry on the works. the immigrants thus.
obtaining employment. and. then. as the
wild lands were rendered accessible by
their labors. they could take up sections
and become producers. The Canterbury
plains offered special advantages for rail-
way building and the enormous focal reye-
nues OF that province and the high price
of wheat gave an enormous impetus TO
that great wheat growing province ana
the Canterbury members were not long in
demanding branch tines to feed the south
ern trunk line.
with regard to the statement that
thirsty passengers have 10 fight their way
to canvas bags which are hung up in the
shade at way stations when they want
drink. there Is no truth in 1t. AS for be-
ing locked up in compartment with
strange woman. who has only to put her
head out Of the window and scream when
the other occupant is sure 10 get ten years
that caps the climax and will be sure to
make the American people glad their rail-
roads are in the hands of corporations
which protect the inexperienced male trav-
eler against such shocking contingency.
In reality, however, there are very few
New Zealand. where the carriages are in
compartments like the English system.
In Hungary and Glasgow.
But If everything i'm Australasia, rail-
roads and all, are huge fai ure what about
Hungary. where you may ride almost any
distance on the. railroads for less than /
cent per mile and the railroads are self
supporting? What about Glasgow. where
municipal ownership has relieved the tax
payers OF all taxes. and London, where the
city council is taking over the ownership
of public utilities?
with all the faults that may be added
up against the Australian system is 1t half
as bad as that which walls in with paper
against God and man extensive areas OF
public lands under extraordinary conditions
of non-taxation for ever and which gives
enormous cash subsidies, such as have
been given in Canada. together with a
guaranty OF the bonds OF few spectators
50 that they could sell them To contiding
British public and thus enrich themselves
AT the taxpayers expensep Is II half as
rad as the system which feeces and hood
wiuss the public in such way as shown
In the following illustration taken from
the figures Of value. net earnings etc. of
a certain system of railroads in the United
States? The railroads in question returned
their net earnings al $4,000. and as their
capital stock amcGnted Ia over 100000
this WAS not quite , per cent. which is big
enough interest on such a large investment.
That ~ all fair and plausible enough, ac-
cordlng TO their own figures. and there Is
TO oppre sion here by monopoly and private
ownership. But think for one moment:
Over Saen.osa Of the capital stock is water.
De RougetBont told some strange tales
about his adventures In Australia. ard
guided the British people for time. bu;
his actions caught on only until exposed
by the Aarchiight Of truth.
Il agree with Mr.. Sawkius that there are
as good chances for mining here. as any
where IN the world. ] go further stiil. ami
say there IL no country on earth 20 COM
pare with America bur !, is not aisloyal
or unpa:riotic for ar American to oppose
a system which compels the vast ma inr.ty
az the people 10 live poor and stuntei lives
in order TRAIT a few individuals may I've in
ease and luxury and control all the in
strunents OF wealth production and all the
riches ~ the richest country In the world