Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-09-18
OE7eCMTrent
Comment
TIME TO CHOOSE BETWEEN
PROSPERITY AND POLITICS

(phOVntX, AriZ,, Republican,
The remarks of Colonel Epes RAN
dolph in a late interview printed boy
the Los Angeles Times conveys to the
people of southern California a hint
that they must take their choice be-
tween the politicians ana prosperity.
This Is a hint which is being slowly
extended throughout the nation.
A gradual cessation OF railroad exc
tension Is taking place throughout the
country In consequence of radical re-
strictivc legislation, the pace for
which was set by the federal govern
mcnt. That in the beginning there
were abuses by some of the railroads
that needed regulating there can he
no denial II was the Just complaint
against these abuses that gave tn,
politicians their cue. Tho abuscg
were much less numerous and much
less frequent than they were supposed
10 be, but II became the fashion to
curse the railroads and the politician
awoke to his opportunity.
lie has made the most of 10 for a
time with the result that a constric-
tion has set in upon the country. the
period of tightnoss OF which will de-
pend largely upon the time when vot-
ers viii decline 10 follow dcmagogues.
high and low. any further. We do not
think the time viii be long. There
already signs of returning sanity.
While the railroads have been ham
pcrcd and discouraged, the masses in
stead Of having been furnished relief
are being made 10 feel the necessity
of "a restoration of good relations be
tween themselves and the roads.
Colonel Randolph points out that
the earning power of the roads has
not been seriously lesscncd by an this
fool legislation. hut that IL has had The
effect Of discrcditing tho roads among
investors and so preventing a dcvcl-
upment OF their plans n "a develop
mont Of their territory.
n Is this condition when has been
brought about upon which somc OF tho
more pcssimistic prophets base their
predictions OF hard tlmca, No doubt
if % was permitted ia exist there
would be AN acute development OF tho
construction int an actual % vast
ing depression. But us we have said
the remedy lies with tho people ana
we believe they viii shortly apply %
Most paniCS with which this
try has been afflicted have been UNI
forcsccn. unavoidable and irremcdtn-
bile. Like somc eases 81 fever. they
had 30 "ruu their course" Tho pres
emit g. a different kind 81 fever. a
purging which will throw out the poll
iticians VIII allay 90. There is OF
course the danger that 10 may become
chrouic by neglect.
Against the warnings 90 business
men like Colonel Randolph and mnnN
others WHO have complained of too
much politics We hav the assurance
90 the politicians themselves that
there can be no danger of a panic.
They point 90 the bounding crops of
thc country and IS noisy factories
but We have seen IN other times fac
tories become silent within six months
and when one m % think 20 %.
while crops make good times better. /
They have always bee powerlcss 60
hard times.
Cropa we're good In 1885. hut
there was no demand FOR them. There I
no money to pay for them or
there was an abundance OF
money but e was hidden IN the nnnn-
clal caves into which the politicians
are again frightening 60