The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-02-16
The Popular Cry Against Corpora
LONESOME Consideration Due
Them.

- y
LONESOME Consideration Due
Them.
Up to this time there has been no.
ticeable absence of the professional
lobbyist in the legislative balls at An
napolis This is a most gratifying
piece Of Information, for the disgraceful
scenes duling the two last sessions of
our Legislature, when Republican
methods so outraged the decency of all
respectable people, should never be re-
peated in this State. In the past we
have often heard of the Democra ic
grandmother fund, but never was
such open disregard # all law shown
as during the closing days of Rypubli-
canism in Annal oils. There are some
bills which invariably make their reg
ular appearance in our Legislature.
Among these is the gas bill. Now, as
rule, every one wants cheap but good
gas. Iu the past it has been openly
charged that these bills were not intro
duced in the interest of the consumers
of Baltimore, but rather for the benefit
of the crowd always found ready to
tlock legislation or introduce obnoxious
bills, by which ransoms could be Sc
cured from corporations. In this one
case it should be borne in mind that
this corporation pays an immense sum
in taxes to the City of Baltimore, as
well as to the State Treasury of Mary
land. Thousands of people are de-
pending upon the dividends received
and they have been comparatively
small. The higher price of all articles
for the manufacture of gas causes an
increase of price in the manufacture of
this article. The gas company has in
vited a thorough inspection of their
books by members of the Legislature,
and show figures to prove. to do justice
to the thousands interested in q fair re-
turn for the money invested, it would
be almost impossible to furnish gas at
lower rate. So with the street car
companies. The interest of the dear
people is made the cause for demand
for cheaper fares Whether the poor
man and the working woman would
be benefited is often questioned, but
certainly the banker and every rich
man and rich woman would invest the
quarter and procure the six tickets.
The street car service in Baltimore is
now considered to be the very best of
any city in the country. Millions of
dollars have been subscribed by the
people to bring this great system to it's
present almost perfect condition, and
thousands of widows and orphans have
their means invested in the stocks and
bonds of this corporation The State
and the City of Baltimore receives
thousands Of dollars as taxes, aud it is
only fair that this great enterprise
should receive fair treatment aud at
the same time give first-class service.
The great railroads of the country
have been embarrassed for the past few
years. Low rates aud constant de-
mands of legislators have prevented
them from paying interest to those de-
pending upon returns for money in
vested in stocks and bonds. We only
urge fair play and just treatment. Tri-
butte from corporations has been the
one cry of the lobbyist. Stand and de-
liver is the demand made in nearly
every legislative hall in this country.
Soulless corporations is the popular
cry and the general appeal of the dem.
agogue is heard on all sides. Let us
not forget that after all it is the money
of the people who builds up our waste
places, rears manufacturing establish.
ments, gives employment to the work.
ing man and brings wealth into our
State. We advocate no exemptions
from fair responsibilities from corpo.
ratiOns, but we do not hesitate to con-
denim the levying of blackmail upon
corporations, or demanding unjust or
unfair tribute from them for city, State
or nation. AS rule, fair-minded
men generally arrive at just conclu-
sions regarding the rights and privi-
leges due to corporate authorities. A
Just share of the taxes of the State and
city should be borne by them and the
people should be fairly treated, and at
the same time it should not be alto
gelher overlooked that great benefits
are conferred upon the people by these
so-called heartless corporations.
If President Mckinley received g
comic valentine of his arch enemy,