The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-03-11

D
lobby. Railroads have no politics, and,
we might add. little patriotism
1t is with them a business system; in
/ dividuals Of either or any party who are
sound or can be made sound on railroad
legislation, are aided in the nominating
conventions and in the elections. When
the contest is close and the result I'M
certain large contributions to the cam
pagn fund Of both parties hace been
made by wealthy railroad manager,
in each case carefully guarding thu Sc
cret and in either case always reminding
the winning party OF its obligations
While this state system Is carefully
watched by the roads most Interested
locally, the general interest of all the
railroads Is centered in cur national lesis-
lature and the halls Of congress are in
vaded at every session by the most pow
erful lobby in the world
The work of corrup;ing our Lawmakers.
both state and national. is begun with
the very inception of their candidacy.
1t may be answered that a free rail
road pass cannot certainly influence the
vote of representative of the people
If such free transportation were not
factor in making friends for their
cause, it would certainly rot he used
II is not an act Of benevolence or pa
triotism or respect for the official for
such 'courtisies' are extended to the most
humble and obscure individuals, as well
as to the exalted officials; the only ques-
ton being, has he a vote or can he in
iluence vote in railroad legislation. II
Is a significant fact that amongst the
great mass of shippers. those who furn-
ish the commerce upon which railroads
fatten, not one free pass can be found.
And this is right The average reader
will be surprised when told this. but he
VII be more surprised when told of the
numerous non-producing classes, all Of
whom carry free railroad transportation.
Did l say classes? Let Us be methodical.
ike railroad manager and say class.
for there can be but one class, as there
is but one object, in giving these favors-
whether to he chief executive of the
state or nation down 10 the lowest poll
teal ward-heel1. The latter at the
primaries may elect a delegate 10 the
convention which will elect delegates to
another convention, which will nominate
the choice of the railroads for an in
fiuential office
Here should follow a tabuiated state
ment Of the political officials who expect
and do receive free transportation: but
space will not permit Suffice it say
it covers the legislative. executive and
judicial branches of our government. ma
tional. state and territorial; and this is
not all. There is an army of political
suffers. handy men and brother in-law
to power who pay no railroad fares.
The free pass crime was committed |
most effectually in the recent state con- /
Venton. and gave quick returns Two /
prominent railroad attorneys wrote con-
ndential letters to delegates just elected
to this convention that they had been
urged by their friends TO permit their
names to be put in nomination for dele /
gates to the national convention, and if
they felt friendly to their cause and I
would write them they would send /
them transportation to attend. Is it any
mondcr these railroad attorneys were /
chosen or that railroads in other states |
will not be as thoughtful and with the /
great convention of the greatest party of (
the greatest nation on earth thus packed /
one plank OF the great platform will in /
dorse our constitution by reminding con- !
gress that it is their prerogative to regu- |
late commerce.
1t is greatly to be regretted that the /
railroads permitted the convention TO I
nominate one candidate recommended by .
the people TO serve on the railroad board .
The one member opposed by the two rail
read members can accomplish nothing
more than TO secure a weak compromise; F
a temporlz ng policy intended only 10 act .
as sadative The burden put upon us
for the last two years Of charging more
than he traffic Will bear coupled with
the most ruinous service ever performed.
has greatly intensified the bitter feeling
toward railroads and the demand for re-
form now is coming from the masses.
The time is not far distant when each
political party will claim to have been
first in transport Sion reform.