120 LAND AND LABOR. 



lands, so far as may be necessary, to that purpose and 

 the cause of education, under the general provisions 

 of the homestead laws ; declaring all the roads in the 

 country that carry passengers and transport freight, to 

 be highways, under the protection and control of the 

 government ; and providing for a board of commis- 

 sioners to have general charge of the same, to regu- 

 late the charges for freight and passenger transpor- 

 tation, to establish regulations under which private 

 parties and transporters of freight may attach their 

 own cars to regular freight trains, to prevent discrimi- 

 nations and arbitrary management, and obtain the 

 best possible service in our domestic intercourse and 

 transportation, would be of inestimable benefit. Such 

 a measure is practicable, and would afford an effective 

 solution of the great railroad problem that is becom- 

 ing so portentous, and give to the people and business 

 of the country the protection that is required. 



A measure of this character, proposed by the gov- 

 ernment, with the alternative of taxation as hereinaf- 

 ter provided, would soon end the land difficulties in 

 that quarter. But, as it is now, the railroad compa- 

 nies obtain from the government an absolute grant of 

 their lands as simple speculators and gamblers, to be 

 disposed of to such parties, in such quantities, on 

 such terms, conditions, and at such times as they see 

 fit ; giving to their purchasers bonds for deeds at 

 such times as it may suit their pleasure to receive 

 their patents ; the taking of the patents being de- 

 layed for years and may be indefinitely. 



Thus the lands of the railroad companies and their 

 grantees, escaping all taxation, bearing none of the 



