Arizona daily citizen., 1901-12-13
RAILROAD AGGRESSIONS.

1t is said that the gentlemen interested
in the combination OF railroads IN the
Northwest by means OF the new $i'"'
0OO, 900 Northern Securities company are
entirely Indifferent to the efforts OF the
Governor Of Minnesota to obstract their
plans There is always danger that the
great financial operators and railroad
magnates, as they are called may un-
derestimate the force OF popular resent
ment. If lblic sentiment is defied too
long it III be aroused to such pitch
as to sweep down all opposition, Then
the people acting under the impulse OF
excitement, may work such injury to
corporate interests as may seriously and
injuriously affect the public welfare
The railroads are essential to national
prosperity, but when their managers
fall to the temptation OF gain by means
Of unjust discrimination they forfeit the
consideration of the people.
1t is not safe for any corporation to
deapIse the people and underestimate
their power Of resentment. Without
the railroads the fertile praries OF the
Western States would be an uninhablted
wilderness. And yet this fact did not
prevent what was known as the Grang
er movement twenty years ago, which
threatened ruin to the railroad COM
panes in several States and was only
partially appeased by the enactment OF
the Interstate commerce lava law, by
the way, which was apparently enacted
to restrain the railroads, but which they
seem to have gradually twisted mainly
to their own advantage. In small
state, where the people are closely div
ided between two political parties, it IS
possible for great railroad corporation
to control affairs for considerable time
and work its will with legislatures and
other branches OF government. But this
power must end even in a small State or
Territory, il it is too greatly abused or
very palpably shown In the large
States, or in States where the population
is distributed over a great territory gov
ernment by railroad is more difficult
and may end more suddenly and dipas-
trously for the railroad than in the
small State.
1t has been the constant effort OF rail
road companies through the agency Of
the able and not always ecrupulons law
yers and lobbyists in their service to tie
the hands Of the Legislature by means Of
"irrepealable contracts" The railroad
company works it's will on the people hy
various means, 1t employs AZ its attor.
neys the most influential lawyers in the
various cities and counties. When the
Legislature meets it will be found that
many Of the leading members are in
directly in the service OF the railroads,
or in their power az shippers, and view
the law from the railroad standpoint ;
and a judicious use OF the free pass
among the small-fry politicians is tre-
mendous source OF power.
Any great abuse oi THIS irresponsible
power in large and densely populated
State might be followed by revolution
which wonld astonish the Napolcons of
finance and transportation. 1t is folly
to contend that the law leaves no power
with the people. The vast majority OF
railroad charters are subject to amend
ment or repeal by the legislature. Rail-
road commissions can be formed with
power to regulate rates and to give and
enforce arbitrary orders which would
drive the railroad out Of business or
bring it to plead for humble terms 1t
might happen that the people would re-
fuse to elect anyone to the legislature, or
to the bench in the States, except those