Connecticut western news., 1901-05-09
THURSDAY, MAY 9. 1901.
THE PEOPLE vs.. GREED.

Railway charters and franchises are
granted by the public, through their
representatives in the legislature. Rail
roads are chartered for the public con-
venience, as common carriers; chartered
to serve instead of rule the public, yet
the CONSOLIDATED" rail way corporation
acts as though the public had no rights
worthy OF respect. The recent action
OF the "Consolidated" railroad in COM
polling the Boston & Maine railroad to
cancel all tariffs and freight arrange
ments between the Central New England
and the Boston & Maine railroads, which
are made by using the "Consolidated'
road between Hartford and Worcester
where connection is made with the Bos-
ton & Maine railroad, means that the
manufacturers and merchants living
land railroad are barred out of the Bos-
ton & Maine territory by the action of
the CONSOLIDATED" railroad in withdraw
ing these tariffs. 1t means heavy loss
to merchants and manufacturers. 1t
means that the only protection for the
merchants and manufacturers of western
Connecticut and its manufacturing in
forests is in the opening of the Spring
field Branch.
Furthermore, it would seem that the
''Oonsolidsted" road is attempting to
rule the public instead of serving the
public. Has not the CONSOLIDATED"
road forfeited its charter by its own act
ion? Should not the State of Connect
cut confscate, or take possession Of the
property of the Consolidated" road
lying within its borders? And should
not Massachusetts,, Rhode Island and
New York state also take possession of
whatever Consolidated" railroad prop
erty is found in their respective states?
And has not the "Consolidated" rail
road violated the Interstate commerce
law? These four questions are asked
for information; they are not intended
as statement of facts.
And now q word to the legislators of
Connecticut. Under the heading of
"a Question of Homer" the POUCH.
keepsie Eagle of May published con-
else history of the Connecticut Western
Railroad and the Tarlfville Branch.
The Eagle closed its article by saying:
What the question involves is not
merely the right of railway to build
its own line, but it is the honor of the
State of Connecticut. The question is
whether q single great corporation,
having obtained a monopoly of the rail-
ways, shall so dominate the government
rs to use the state Itself for its tool to
suppress competition and destroy a
weaker company. It not only involves
the honor of Connecticut, but it has a
bearing upon the great question of the
consolidation Of capital and power. ALI
that has been said in the discussion Of
that question concerning the possible
danger of such consolidation is directly
presented here. One gigantic corpora
tion, formed by the union of smaller
ones, proposes to use its wealth and in
huence to shut out weaker one, and
force it either to turn over its property
to the monopoly for song. or 60 out of
business altogether. It is precisely
what the enemies of ''trusts" have
charged as the worst possible thing they
might do. The great Connecticut rail
way trust puts its foot upon 300 feet of
land aud says to another company, "Yo on
shall not pass here" It comes to the
government of the state and says, "You
must do my bidding and throttle this
company that has presumed to invade
my domain" If the State of Connecti-
cut means to stand for fair play and
equal rights, it will grant the permits
sion asked to construct this line. II it
wishes to be pointed out in future as
the state which used its sovereignty to
promote and establish the power of q
monopoly, and to stide freedom of bus
mess effort, it will refuse.
This question not only involves the
honor of the State of Connecticut but il
involves the personal honor of every
senator and representative in the state.
If any legislator ''sells his birthrighl
for mess of pottage" he should "gc
down to the vile dust from whence he
sprung, unwept, unhonored and un
sung"