310 THE 



the through lines re-adjusted their rates, so as to oblige other 

 States to make up what was withheld from them in Illinois. 

 The 44th Congress will have to face this question, beset as 

 it is, with difficulties. And if that Congress dare to trifle 

 with this subject to truckle to the monopolists to waste 

 its time in whitewashing thieves and land-sharks, instead 

 of looking after the interests of the people, its master, a ball 

 will be set in motion which will stop where ? 



The Illinois State Fair of 1873, at Peoria, was taken 

 advantage of, to hold a conference between the Central Com 

 mittee of the State Farmer s Association and the Railroad 

 Commissioners. The schedule of tariffs, etc., was explained 

 by the Commissioners, and questions propounded by the 

 Committee, to whom the answers given were satisfactory. 

 The Commissioners had every confidence in the law, as far 

 as it went, though they considered it susceptible of improve 

 ment. 



In the course of their investigations, it appeared that the 

 Commissioners had carefully examined the tariffs for the 

 leading roads for a series of years. Finding that as business 

 increased, the rates of transportation had steadily advanced, 

 they had fairly and candidly considered the interests of the 

 roads, and endeavored to establish such rates as would do 

 them no injustice, and which would stand. Bail way officials 

 had been courteously treated, though they had generally 

 ignored the Board, frequently submitting intricate questions 

 through inferior officers and agents. The rates adopted were 

 by comparison with the old company rates, and were simply 

 intended as a maximum, leaving the railway companies to 

 fix lower rates if they wished. The law permitted no unjust 

 discriminations, either of special lines or individuals. It 

 was important that it should be understood that the Com 

 missioners tariffs were in force now, and that railway com- 



