PBES. QUINCY S CALL FOR THE WASHINGTON CONVENTION. 323 



terest. In November, 1873, it was promulgated, and was as 

 follows : 



In the month of May, 1873, delegates from several States met in 

 New York for the purpose of forming an American Cheap Transpor 

 tation Association. The organization was effected by the election of 

 a president, secretary, and treasurer, together with vice-presidents 

 from the several States represented. It was voted that a meeting of 

 the officers or delegates of the several State Associations then exist 

 ing, together with those of any other State Association that might be 

 formed, should be held in Washington in the month of January, 1874. 

 It was also voted that an address should be prepared and published, 

 setting forth the complaints against the management of some of the 

 railroads, together with suggestions of measures that might tend to 

 relieve the people from undue exactions, and facilitate transportation 

 between the different Staies. As the residences of the gentlemen ap 

 pointed to prepare the address were too distant to permit their per 

 sonal conference, it was thought best that they should submit their 

 views to the President of the Association, who was authorized to pre 

 sent their general drift to the people, when issuing the call for the 

 January meeting. As the address has not been submitted to the 

 other members of the committee, the chairman is alone responsible 

 for the form it has taken. 



The subject should not be approached without a grateful acknowl 

 edgment of the blessings which the railroad has conferred upon our 

 country. Of all the mighty powers that are so rapidly changing the 

 face of the world this takes precedence as an educator and civilizer. 

 This mighty interest has absorbed the largest capitalists, the most 

 active minds, and the most gifted projectors of our time. Much 

 money has been made by it, and a great part of that money has been 

 honestly and honorably earned. Enterprising capitalists who took 

 great risks, far-sighted men of business who gave vigorous thought to 

 the internal development of their country, have made large fortunes 

 and have richly deserved them. They have provided the people with 

 a most valuable servant. But the time has come when it is evident 

 that this excellent servant is capable of becoming a most tyrannical 

 master. We are threatened with the curse of special rights, special 

 privileges, special favors, special powers, and the monopolies of cliques 

 and rings. An imperium in imperio, controlled by the ablest execu- 



