156 THE GRANGER MOVEMENT 



continued to insert planks in their platforms favoring the strict 

 regulation of railroads by the state. 1 



The fight over the railroad law of 1873 was the bitterest in 

 the adjourned session of the same general assembly which 

 passed the law. At this session, which began in January, 1874, 

 the legislature was deluged with petitions and memorials for 

 the repeal or modification of the law because of its failure to 

 produce the benefits expected, among the number being two 

 from local farmers' clubs. 2 Most significant of these was a 

 memorial signed by one hundred and three Chicago mercantile 

 firms, which gives a good idea of the arguments and methods 

 of those who were working for the repeal of the law. 3 This 

 memorial opened with a declaration that the legislature did not 



understand the effect of the railroad law on the commerce of 

 i 



the state. The merchants then proceeded to enlighten the 

 legislature. They admitted that they had not been satisfied 

 with railroad management prior to the passage of the law, and 

 that they had been subject to discrimination and extortion, 

 but asserted that in the majority of cases they had been able 

 to get redress from the companies. Now, the railroad law 

 had injured their business and customers, increased the cost of 

 shipment to the interior of the state and not lessened the cost 

 of shipment to tide-water; it had impaired the credit of the state, 

 and rendered it almost impossible to borrow money to build 

 competing roads. In fact no benefit had accrued to any citizens 

 unless to the officers whose positions were created by the bill. 

 Therefore the repeal or amendment of the law was requested 

 that the commerce and credit of the state might be maintained 

 and fostered. 



Violent attacks were made upon the commission as well as 

 upon the law by various members of the legislature and an 

 attempt was made to abolish it on the popular ground of retrench- 



1 See for these platforms Appleton's Cyclopedia, articles " Illinois," " Tribune 

 Almanacs," etc. 



2 House Journal, 1874, pp. 210, 212, 318, 376, 380, 403, 408, 410, 421, 425, 437, 

 444, 460, 474; Senate Journal, 1874, pp. 138, 254, 322, 347, 356, 371, 379, 386, 396, 

 432; Chicago Tribune, March 14, 1874. 



3 Illinois, Reports to the General Assembly, 1873, i y - 97 1 - 





