The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-22

Si,orsion az their corporate funds IN tn,s
e not the object and should
,et,er be the purpose for which corpora
tions are created or permitted, tnat tney
NAV collect money through the use Vi
public franchises for the purpose OIL ptVs -
tituting political parties OF co,i upa,s
legislative bodies to defeat the puoilo WIN
FREE PASSES.
The sixth section has in view the pro-
bibitlop of the free pass system over our
Transportation lines. This proposition VIII
necessarily arouse bitter antasonisn' ine
favored class who oppose 1t Will not DO
80 onanIv. but they will resort to secret
n,ethods and subtle excuses to defeat IT,
This system Is wrong IN principle Inc
nractics has grown to produce glarihs
ineouality OF the citizens in the division Oh
nuhiic favors. 1t strikes at the funda-
mental principles upon which our govern
ment is founded 1t Is favoritism pure
and simple. Commonly the democrats,
republicans and populists declare tor
equal rights TO all and special privileges
to none" This Is wholesome uoctrino,
meaning that every human being Is equal
hsfnra tba law and shall not enjoy special
privileges not accorded to his fellow be-
ing. Destroy this principle and we build
I'm special classes to be supported by the
masses--a malignant system OF centrallsin.
Can YOU imagine any practice in PUBIC
effairs where this principle Is more fla
GRAVITY violated than by the free pC7s sys-,
tenn over the railways of this state!
Every man has equal rights before the
courts and juries; he has equal rights upon
the sidewalks and streets and macadam
roads which are supported by the public;
he has equal rights in the capitol build
| ing. in the eleemosynary institutions, In
! the nublic schools, and freedom of speech,
freedom of thought and freedom of press;
but he has not equal rights over the rail-
ways of this State, for the one who rides
upon free pass enjoys a special privilege,
while he who pays fare submits to dis
elimination. The statement is startling,
but 1t is nevertheless true, that last year
the railways of this State issued two
hundred and three thousand trip, time and
annual passes. Their earnings from
passenger traffic during that period
amounted in the aggregate to S,745, 900
If these free passes were charged for at
the rate OF SIS each, which must be adj
mitted to be a low average. they would
amount to the sum OF SS,0i5OO0, or tc
nearly one half of their whole passenger
earning during that time. Compare
these figures and you are led to the logi-
cal conclusion that over one-third OF the
people who travel over the railways o
InlS state rue ITeS CuUulu lulS lluulALuc
Wholesale doctrine of equal rights to all
special privileges to none, be impartial!
enforced to the end that no one shall b.
public highway deadhead in this State
the railway fare could be reduced one
, third, or to 2 cents per mile, without los
to the corporation from passenger earn
ings Without this object in view, how
: ever, a very just practice of equality
without discrimination in favor of Of
against any one who travels over our pub
/ lie highways, would be established to TIL
y credit of ALL The mere question of
3 pecuniary advantage should not be con
: sidered in the establishment forever of
a fundamental principle.
= In discussing this free pass question
last year at Chicago, before the industrial
}, commission, Hon. John II. Reagan wise
!, ly said:
5 THE issuance Of free passes by the rail
n way companies IS not done as a matte
of charity for they are not as a rule give
o 10 the poor and needy, but for the mos
= part to the public officials and infuenti.
: persons. 1t is one method OF unjustl
: discriminating in their rates In a way thu
y is difficult, If not impossible, TO proven
70 by furnishing free passes 10 shippers, the
e families and agents; and as the revenu,
;, of the roads must be kept up, 1t is the tal
~ Ing one part OF the people for the benei
y of another part of them, which violates Il
i commonest rules Of right and 1t is III
~ doubtedly liable as one of the means
ir1rE1cing public officials and member
y of the legislature in the performance
y their official duties It Is unfair, unjus
demoralizing and should be prohibited
10 congress and the several legislatures
W their respective spheres of authority"
" Every thoughtful man who impartial
ne investigates this question Is bound to a.
l. NIT the truth OF what General Reagt
T. said These who have free passes shou
at be willing to forsgo this privilege in ord
Ig to be consistent in what they publicly a
W yocate before the people. Certainly it w
at be hard for them at first to agree to th
J. or to deny 10 themselves so great p
ly cuniary advantage. But after all the mo
do effective way to establish and sanctify Il
by pure principles of justice that flow fro
We the hallowed fountain of Christian cha
eI ity, is the practice OF self-abnegatio
Those who enjoy the privilege OF fr
passes can better afford to pay their W
to than to encourage a practice that y
In may grow to poster them and to ensla
r. their prosperity. 1t is common upon I
lcn railways now to see well paid we'll Il
ne men riding free for pleasure by the 81
ne OF those who must make a sacrifice
ne bread and meat to procure railway ia
vi on their journey of necessity. The b.
'se evidence that these free pass packers
vi ashamed of this discrimination is, 1t
}" common to see them. about the time
"a conductor comes around, sneak off into
~, ~ smoker, to skulk back into the sleeper,
.ya to hide in the drawing room of the
no to keep from exposing their valua
he cards to those who carry the passenl
ar burdens of this State. Did you ever
to candidate for office or one Of your CO
me gressmen, judges senator's, or repres
re- tatlves, freely pull out his pass in
Dr. circle of his constituents who themsel
ny pay their way? We know that most
eel them enjoy this privilege. Why then
om they ashamed Of It? There is but sin
in answer and that is they know 1t is wro
he that 1t is in violation OF a sacred princi
ntr which they publicly advocate, but 7
IN vately violate. Go to Austin, 60 to Wa
az ington, and you will find nearly ev
zen senator and representative OF the pee
Ia with pack of free passes in his poe
ns as big and slisk as the spotted deck c
80 ried by professional poker player.
political times, the ward heslers"
az campaign whoopers,' the stump
not ators' and special advocates of ev
sed candidate favored by the railway CT
ev panies. or who supports corporal
OF cause, rides free to "air" his cAeni
,ra- personality before an indulgent put
mr. 1 With pocket full of frea Masses n IN