The independent., 1903-03-12

the constituents of these statesmenf ,
meet them at the depots when they
return to their homes from their leg
islative labors with brass bands, far-
ing trumpets, waving bunting, red fire
works, and tumultuous shouts of ap-
proval of their noble deeds heroically
performed? Why? Because they saved
the railroads from paying their just
share of municipal taxation?
No! Because they prevented the
cities from taxing the state, or its
wards, the railroads.
A man said to me the other day,
When the railroads of this state un-
ite to oppose any measure, or seek the
enactment of any measure, they US
ually succeed. What they cannot OBJ
tain at the hands of the legislature
they seek and obtain from the
courts" have always believed in
the integrity of the courts and the
sacredness of the judicial ermine, and
was therefore very reluctant to be-
lieve the truth of the foregoing state
ment, but am free to admit that my
sense of justice has been shocked
when / realize that the railroads OF
this state through our supreme court
have obtained a modification of a plain
enactment of the legislature, which
says:
Civil actions can only be COM
menced within the time prescribed in
this title, after the cause Of action
shall have accrued.
"An action for the recovery OF the
title or possession Of lands, tene-
ments, Or .hereditaments, can only be
brought within ten years after the
cause of action shall have accrued.
Can language be more palmer than
the above? Yet our supreme court has
seen fit to ignore it, or to so modify
it as to exempt railroads from its
binding effect. | very much doubt If
the railroads could have secured so
great a concession from the present
Legislature, bound hand and foot as it
appears to be, and again | hear the
statement echoing in my ears: What
they cannot obtain at the hands OF
the legislature, they seek and obtain
from the courts.
/ was formerly a republican,
staunch and true, but | became con-
vinced that the controlling element in
that party was entirely too suscepti-
BILE to the corporation branding iron,
and it's chosen officers too forgetful OF
the rights of the people, so | left the
republican party and have since af-
filiated with the peoples Independent
party. I have often taunted my re-
publican neighbors and friends for
continuing to support party whose
leaders are SO notoriously subservient
to the whip and lash of their cor
poration masters, who were willing
tools and fawning sycophants, and
who for a little free transportation
would sell their personal independence
and barter away their country's free
dom. And SO, for the last ten years
have loyalty supported the principles
of the peoples party, and faithfully
upheld the honor and integrity of nom
inees and officers elected by that par
ty; and it was with pardonable pride
that | was able to point to some OF
their records as being without spot or
blemish. l am at present chairman of
the county central committee of the
peoples party, but if the above deci-
sion is to stand, coming from a court
the majority of whom / helped to
elect, and over whose election | re-
joiced, then l am through with poll
tics. should like to hear from some
of the other people of the state on
this question, through the columns OF
your estimable paper.
GEO. B. GALBRAITH.
To- Mob