Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-11-15

a greater influence upon our destinies
than any save two which are record
ed in the history Of the republic.
mean, of course, the acquisition of the
Louisiana Territory. which in its inn
portance is subordinate only. as l look
at affairs, to the adoption of the con-
stitution Of the United States. and the
victory Of the civil war. While thus
concentrating this mighty stride to-
ward national greatness. we ought not
to forget that the chief reason which
led our forefathers into the negotia-
lions with France and which fortified
their hearts against the criticisms of
shortsighted men, and induced them to
brave the hazards of the experiment
which they undertook, was the hope OF
waterway, broad, deep, untrammeled,
unobstructed. upon which the COM
merce Of the country might be borne
in peace and safety, from the SHOWS of
the north to the sunshine of the south.
II have thus far spoken of the Mis-
sissippi river as means of transpor-
tation. uninfluenced and unaffected by
any Of the difficulties which now at
tend railway transportation thruout the
country. If railway rates were adjus-
ted with unerring wisdom and absolute
Justice. the river would still be most
imnortant as an additional medium OF
traffic But in view Of certain phases
~ railway transportation, perfectly
we'll known to men Of affairs. the I'M
provement and use OF the river De.
comes greatly more important IMAM y.
WAL hermit
me to recall to your minds very brlelly'
and therefore very imperfectly' ,ne
railway situation. We nave IN lhie
country a railway development WITHOUT
parallel in the world. We have more
than two hundred Thousand iliiee
of main track over which lhe
traffic Of the country Is carried oii'
Iowa alone, has in round nunp s. .. -
IN 600 miles Of main track rails. ms
system as q whole Is a monument "
the genius and energy Of the Ameri-
can people of which every loyal clt-
ION ought to be proud. Those who own
this systen are entitled to a fair return
not only for the capital which they
have invested in 1t, but for the risks
which they had to bear in creating II.
and we ought to stand firmly against
any movement which has for lts o.
iect the reduction Of rates below the
point Of fair remuneration.
81 do not intend to speak at thls
time in detail Of the aggregate revenue
received either by any one railway, of
by all the railways. 1t is quite prop
able. however, that upon investigator
il would be found that the revenue
as whole. exceeds the fair remunera-
| ton Of which have spoken. Inc pui-
pose of this prelude is to connect W., VIZ
| it the statement, the truth OF wni.n
may be easily established, that III INC
adjustment of rates as between eotit-
munities and localities, ana IN iiiaiis
] instances in their enforcement as
! tween individuals, there is more III!
| tice now being inflicted upon tle AN an
erican people than they are sulie..ne
| from all other causes combined. EV-
ery man in the United States engaged
| in business of any magnitude is "iioi-
| ly dependent upon transportation iof
| the permanence and profits OF his DUST
ness, If railway rates were equltaply
adjusted. but as a whole too hlgh, the
people would be divided into two class
es namely. the owners and users OF
| RAILWAYS. and while the former might
reap inordinate profits, the latter would
contribute proportionately to the
| wrongful exactions. But II railway
rates are not fairly adjusted, then no
matter whether they are too high, or
Just high enough, the men and COM
munitIes WHO are Disseminated against
have no c. ance in the struggles OF
commerce. Ihe present adjustment OF
| these rates +, full Of the most vicious