The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-13

pan1eS Will hereafter refrain from any
interference with legislative matters;
that lobbying is to be a thing of the
past; that an appeal will go forth di-
rect to the heart of the people for the
enactment of only such laws as will
not be destructive in their character;
and 1 believe that this way of pre-
Sentlng the facts to the American Vot-
er IN their true light, viii do more to
remove the prejudice of the legisla-
tor than any other procedure that
could De adopted. 1t can d. no harm
to remove the ban of sec ecy. 1t is
an honorable business, and conducted
with a view of doing that which is
right; and when the people are let on
the inside, and it is shown to them
that enterprises of this character are
conducted on the same footing as
those OF other trades. then the curtain
viii be drawn back, and the people
VIII at once see that the sins of omis-
sion ana commission of which the rail-
ways nave been charged by the press
and the political agitator are not what
they have been painted, and the ''vox
populi'' will rise and say by their
voices and votes: 1.-The railways of
our land shall be protected, their
property kept intact, their lines ex-
tained.''
1t is not my purpose to advocate
the principles of any political organi-
cation or candidate, but 1 believe the
time has come when hasty and unwar-
ranted legislation toward railway in
terests should be thWarted, and only
such reforms. if any are necessary,
should be enacted into law whenever
the demand therefor is apparent, and
after careful investigation on the
part of the law making powers as to
whether or not it will have a tendency
10 diminish the earning capacity of
the carrier confiscate its property or
reduce the earnings of the wage earn
er in its employ.
In elevating to such places of trust or
ofice, men who believe in pressing such
drastic legislation, the railway Iaborer is
simply legislating himself out of employ
ment, and the merchant a reduction in
his trade.
Employees Must Be Loyal.
While the cry has gone forth for the
projection OF American industries, let US
railway men, by our voice, protect our
selves as self-preservation is the first
law OF nature The time has never been,
nor VIII II ever be, when the prosperity
OF railway companies is not the prosperity
OF its employees, and of the community
through which its lines run Is 1t not then
the duty of such employers of labor to
do all in their power to legally protect
their property Such right is granted ev-
cry individual under the law, and why
should not the same privilege be melted
out to railway corporations. And, 1 can
not enJOIn upon you all a more careful
needed lesson than the sober consfdera ton
OF this subject. Ponder well the result
OF proposed legislative action. 1t is the
God-given privilege of every citizen to
protect himself. Stand by those who stand
by you, thwart the political advancement
OF any office seeker who grows fat on
the meat OF railway prejudice.
A law that aims particularly at one
class, and discrfminates against another,
IS vicious law, and the courts will and
ought to strike it from the statute books.
NO people can make a success of their
undertaking without the aid of railways,
nor can railways be successful without
the hearty cooperation of the people.
The only solution of this debatable
question Is unison of action by the rail-
ways, it's employees, the people and the
government The people, the conserva-
tors OF the law. should be consulted on
all questions of this character. We all
ADMIT that errors have been committed
in many instances in the management of
railways. 1T Is human to err, but divine
to forgive" I can not believe it is the
purpose of the voter to destroy, hamper,
or render less valuable the now splendid
railway transportation of our land.
Trust People With Facts.
The American people can be trusted, and
teachings, still the in its fury recedes,
tranquility is restored, and the better
Judgment of the peoples wisdom comes
forward, and justice prevails. The peO-
pies wisdom has been proved in the past.
and al time has it faltered when the
hour of emergency demanded its right
exercise To strike down cripple these
commercial arteries through which pull
safes the trade of our people and govern
ment, is only to create a disturbance in
our general welfare, that leads to finan-
cial unrest. that penetrateS every bust
ness, be it large or small We of the
present generation have this problem to
solve. Then let manfully endeavor
to disentangle the threads of prejudice,
shielding none and do that which is for
the good of all the people; with such
thoughts and actions on our part we will
not only benefit our own standing, but
that of our fellows.
And while I am not given to the read
ing of signs-as the Chaldean wise men,
who by studying the stars read the fate
of empires, and the fortune of individ-
uais, 1 can see a bright ray of hope
break through the angry political clouds,
lighting up certain sections of our eoun-
try.-that the railway agitation which has
been sweeping the land with cyclonic ef-
feet shows at least some signs of reced-
ing in madness, and calling to arms 10
all to cease the unwiSe warfare that has
peen so aggressively waged- And, with
your permission, [ will quote a few of
the sayings of some of the governors of
cur states.
What Governors Have to Say
The first words come from Texas, IN
which Governor ColQuitt state: we be-
lieve that the general welfare demands
that the people shall not be annoyed by
constant political agitations. and they
should undisturbed pursue their usual
avocations, to the end that they may be
cOntented and prosperous; and we prom
Use an intelligent and strict enforcement
of the law as it Is by lawful means. and
the enactment of such additional laws
only as are absolutely necessary to pro-
tect the public and the rights and nber
ties Of the people" And, Furthermore. in
speaking upon this subject he says: 1.-The
public expression appears to be an I'M
equivocal demand for legislative rest.
And, we can afford to take rest from
additional and untried laws, and give in 1
vestors the assurance that needless legis-
lation and unnecessary political strife re-
tard the progress of the citizen hiSelf and
keep back the development of the state
I'VE can afford to encourage invest
ment of capital in developing the rich re-
sources of our state, assure labor that it
will be protected in all its just demands
upon organized capital, and protect or
ganized capital in legitimate uses and
development"