The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-06-28

coming new Etate. Those who heard the
address are eonsratuiating themselves
upon that fact. Those who did not are
reeretfu The seed sown BY La Fol-
letts's actress win doubtless bring forth
good fruit The people are thinking. and
when the people think, something gene
orally results.
Il did not hear Governor Ia Fol-
lette's address, but read a very interest
inE portion Of it. said Hon. Henry II.
Howard Of Oklahoma City. How very
important its teacsings are TO the p4o-
ple Of this territory, soon 10 become a
state.
1T 10 time 70 awake to the fact ihat
there Is q fight en- in oklahoma And
it is not fight of political party
against party, but one OF people against
imposition and wrong And lt has TO be-
fought out new and won OF lost for
many years.
Every railroad constructed in ok
lahoma and the Indian Territory was
bunt by authority OF congress origin
ally; and the permission was given in
every case upon the express condition
that the railroad company would rot
charge a higher freight rate to the
people Of the territories than is rer-
mitted by the laws Of Klnsas. reyas
or Arkansas
'No means was provided for enforcing
this limitation. and little attention las
been paid to the matter At the cut-
set sort Of railroad act was passed
by the oklahoma Legislature Tt was
niehly satisfactory 70 The r,ilr ud Gems
panies Except IN rare ard trivial in
stances they have been successful in
the COURTS they have been eminenily
sucestsfm with succeeding lesislatrres
TAey are masters OF she situation to-
dow
"The rates actually charged the poo-
ple OF these territories range from so
TO 200 per cent higher than the high
est charges permitted by the laws and
regulations OF either Kansas, Texas or
As-5ansas. II Is not possible 10 figure
accurately, but one does no, need to
10 into It far to see that the sums
collected IN excess OF what tho acts OF
conKr IS authorize amoun, to enough 70
pave tte streets and alleys OF all the
cities anG villages OF the t~o terrltor-
les. or to build all the school houses.
II this unjust burdon can be gotten rid
OF, an the railroad companies comc
peeled to acccrt reasonable rates. the
difference alone win be sunicient to Tay
the operating eypeases o; tie s'ate sov-
eminent
we want railroads nnd enterprises,
yes; but VIE VAnt fair play ana square
deal We an know we have not and
g. and that we can never secure il
while we depend upon railroad emplayes
for g.. The railroads have managed
well They did not want to nay t9xes
on their millions worth Of property IN
the ludinn Territory 10 support a state
government. They knew the people OF
Oklahoma wanted statehood while
agitation for statehood for Oklahoma
alone Has active. they fcl. secure
they knew that while they could keeT
up this agitation under active. capa nl,
and well-paid leadership. ether there
would be no statehood or Oklahoma
would become a state alone. Either con.
dition would produce TIE desired re.
suit and IN neither case could the ,ls
lahoma legislature ooatrI freight rates
between the two territories
Statehood Is now bound 20 com,
shortly Whether It brings relief. O.
fastens the burden upon us more Hrml,
win darend upon who organizes an'
controls the siate government Tkos
who have been carrying railroad passe
for The past ten or ffteen years vii
not organize or control II FOR the bsne
90 Of the psople. Excel IN n Few In
stances. most OF them Of little con
sequence the Oklahoma enurts dis
close that the railroads have been sue
cessful N litigation for fifteen yeuri
he statutes disclose that they hav
not been without friends In me legis
iatare az any time. When q raihoa
gives pass 10 county lawyer.
IS implied that he VIII take no cas-
and engage In no transaction hostE
20 the company. And n he violate
this implied agreement. his pass is TAI
gen up. or when 1t expires another
not issued And when PASSES are s,a'
tered among luCg.s. Legislators. and on
er Officers u is not from charity. con
pliment or patriotic motives Pass'
are given only where something
way ~ rsciprocits may be ex0sste
and our record for ffteer ssats Is cor
yirciug that not ono ast or word "a
culated 10 remedy the unlawful AZ
unhappy condition oln b. n'trib. Il
10 those who receive their annu
passes punctually
''The foundations for future oopd
;ions win be laid IN tho constitution
The state Is 10 regulate freight rate
authority 10 do so - legislation shou
be inserted IN the consututio~. It W
not be done n the employees. Jass-hoi
ers. and others under the ra 'lroad Il
haences, compose or control tho coosi
tutional con ention. We cfn not aro
20 be Inconsistent cowardy o. FOOLS
Every man of common sense knows sa
no one can hold amy sort OF a posts
w.th a railroad company after he -
done anything ngu inst he irterests. EvI
where the brother gels i1i tred or XIII
iu the serNite and tie mother sues &
damages, tho whole family mry be q
pected 10 retire from lhe railroad -.
vice. Discipline is essential 10 good se
vice and sar, of The system. The raj
roads have adopted tho plan of retail
Ing only those who win serve them fait
fully, and 10 tho exclusion Of every ot
R