Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1899-10-13
RAILWAY DOMINATION.
Does This Great Commonwealth he
long 20 the l.. A. n?

Does This Great Commonwealth he
long 90 the l.. A. n?
The activity OF the Louisville and
Nashville railroad in the fight against
the Democratic ticket shows that that
corporation Is willing to do its allotted
part in the fight that the great rail-
roads OF the country have been en-
gagged in for years to control the gov
ernors and the legislatures OF the
various states. The different states
have been apportioned between the
leading railroads. The Michigan Cen
trail takes a hand in politics in Michi-
gan; Minnesota is allotted to the
Great Northern: the Chicago, Mil
waukce and ST. Paul takes care OF
Wisconsin; the Rock Island looks after
Iowa: the Union Pacific cares for Ne
braska; the Illinois Central has the
expensive job OF taking care OF the
Illinois legislature: the Missouri Pa
cific holds Missouri down: the Penn
sylvania Railroad company keeps two
eyes on Pennsylvania, and the state
OF Kentucky is committed TO the ten
der mercies OF the Louisville and
Nashville. The good people OF tho
state are making a courageous struggle
TO elect a set OF state officers and a
general assembly that will belong 10
the people and not to the L. a N. or
any other corporation. We believe the
people will succeed.
story Is told that the speaker OF
the Pennsylvania legislature a few
years ago when the lower house was
about to adjourn, said: rs there any
thing more that the Pennsylvania rail-
road wantsy" There being no answer
the speaker said: THE legislature
stands adjourned" Shall that be said
OF Kentucky?
In 1883 the L. a N. by corrupt prac-
tices undertook to have the Legislature
repeal the law which provided for a
railroad commission in this state. The
commission made the assess ment OF
the railroad property for taxation. The
railroad interests deemed It important
to get rid Of the commission and had
secured enough votes to pass the bill
through the house. When the bill
reached the senate. and before II was
voted upon. Hon. c. NJ. Clay OF Bour-
bon, then senator from thu district.
offered resolution reciting that IL
was rumored that the l.. & n. In or
der to secure the passage OF that bill.
had paid lobby in Frankfort and was
resorting to vicious and corrupt prac-
tices and asking that a committee be
appointed to investigate the matter.
William Goebel. the youngest member
OF the senate. was appointed on that
and wrote its report. Lack
OF space only prevents US publishing
the report. II closed with this Lam
guage: In conclusion, your commit
tee do report that the lobby has made
a thoroughly organized and extraordI-
narily powerful effort to dominate the
railroad legislature. and dictate the
legislation enacted by Il; that
undue and illegal means were used to
procure the enactment OF such legisla- |
ton: that the statute against the lob |
bying has been fagrantly violated by |
OF the lobby. And. therefore.
the committee do recommend the I
Franklin circuit court at the next
term Of said court. charge the grand /
Jury to inquire into said lobby in order
that these violations OF the law may
be punished"
The bill to abolish the railroad COM !
mission was not pressed to a vote after /
that report was made, but ever since /
that day the l.. Il N. has been camp
Ing on the trail OF William Goebel; |
and don't every man know that II, |
through its assistance General Goebel |
Is defeated for governor. the l.. Il. N.
will own the body and soul OF the man /
who is elected; and the next legisla-
ture will dare not adjourn until the
question has been asked: rs there
anything more that the L. a N. |
wants."