GOVERNMENT PURCHASE OF RAILROADS A FALLACY. 491 



and hurl from power those who have so shamefully betrayed 

 them ; to insist that laws be enacted to bring to the bar of 

 justice, not only those who have betrayed the trusts confided 

 to them by the people, but also the swindlers themselves 

 who have so shamefully obtained the public money by false 

 pretenses ? 



GOVERNMENT PURCHASE OF RAILROADS A FALLACY. 



The railroads operated in the United States are reported 

 as costing, in round numbers, almost three billions five hun 

 dred millions of dollars ($3,500,000,000). Many of them 

 are operated with tolerable honesty; the majority, however, 



The Capitol at &quot;Washington. 



are now so consolidated that they are manipulated by com 

 paratively a few individuals, who, at &quot; their own sweet will,&quot; 

 can virtually say, from their offices, what shall be received 

 by the farmer for his grain. Lately, however, they have 

 seen that the movement among the masses is acquiring so 

 much strength and developing so much practical wisdom, 

 that they fear it greatly; they see that we are looking 



