458 THE UROUNDSWELL. 



Consequently, the thirteen lateral canals ran the State of 

 New York $1,387,499 in debt, while the Erie canal netted 

 the State $1,073,126, which money, and more, was required 

 10 support the officials of these non-paying canals. Now, 

 where did the money come from to pay these tax-eaters? 

 Out of the products of the West shipped through the Erie 

 canal, and consequently out of the pockets of western farm 

 ers. This is a case in point, illustrating the effects of State 

 legislation in imposing a tax on the commerce of other 

 States. True, this is nothing new; it has always been done ; 

 but attention was net called to the fact until a glut of grain 

 in the West brought the farmers face to face with pauper 

 ism. But are the citizens of the Empire State sinners above 

 all their fellows, that such things come to pass ? No ; if 

 the people of New York governed themselves, this condition 

 of affairs could hardly exist. They are in reality governed 

 by a few railroad magnates, stock jobbers, and ring thieves, 

 in the City of New York, who do not scruple to buy up leg 

 islators and judges, far and near, and whose power is felt in 

 nearly every western State. Is it strange that the people 

 should rise in their might to put down such giant monopo 

 lies. Is it not strange, on the other hand, that in fighting 

 some of the ramifications of this mighty evil they should 

 have committed so few excesses? 



HOW THE GREAT RAILROAD CORPORATIONS CORRUPT 

 PUBLIC MORALS. 



The great railroad corporations having their headquarters 

 in New York City, have become truly fearful engines for the 

 demoralization of the nation. For years, New Jersey strug 

 gled in the grasp of the Camden & Amboy Railroad, really 

 one of the hydra heads of the Pennsylvania Central. Her 



