RAILWAY LEGISLATION 145 



adopted a series of resolutions which put the demands of the 

 farmers before the legislature in concrete form. These resolu- 

 tions called for the enforcement of the railroad law of 1871; 

 declared persons tendering . " legal fare " entitled to the civil 

 protection of the state; expressed approval of the decision of 

 the McLean County circuit court; requested the appointment 

 of at least one farmer on the board of railroad commissioners 

 " who shall be recommended by them [the farmers] " ; and 

 urged the enactment of an anti-pass law and of a law fixing 

 reasonable maximum rates of freight, similar to the bill intro- 

 duced by Senator Vaughn in the adjourned session of the previous 

 general assembly. 1 



Apparently as a result of these resolutions, the subject of 

 railroad legislation was opened up in the Senate by the unanimous 

 adoption, January 20, 1873, of a resolution instructing the 

 committee on railroads to investigate cases of ejectment of 

 passengers tendering " legal fare," and " to consider what further 

 legislation is necessary to protect citizens in their person and 

 property from overcharges by railroad officials, and more fully 

 and effectually to carry out the requirements of the Constitution 

 contained in sections 12 and 15 of Article XI." 2 Meanwhile 

 the strength of the Granger element in the legislature was 

 demonstrated by a successful struggle with the governor over 

 the appointment of a new board of railroad commissioners; 3 

 both Senate and House were deluged with petitions, resolutions, 



1 Periam, The Groundswell, 242-262; Prairie Farmer, xliv. 26 (January 25, 

 1873); Chicago Tribune, 1873, January 16, p. 4, January 17, p. 8, January 18, p. 2. 



2 Senate Journal, 1873, p. 95; Prairie Farmer, xliv. 28 (January 25, 1873). 



3 The Legislative Farmers' Club, first organized in the session of 1871 and 

 revived for the session of 1873, disapproved of Governor Beveridge's nominees for 

 the board of railroad commissioners, and its efforts, seconded by a flood of petitions 

 and remonstrances from the various farmers' organizations, ultimately secured 

 the appointment of two farmers on the board. See Senate Journal, 1873, pp. 154, 

 226, 323, 325; Prairie Farmer, xliii. 404, xliv. 17, 26, 41, 49, 65 (December, 1872- 

 March, 1873); Chicago Tribune, February-March, 1873, passim; Periam, The 

 Groundswell, 302-311; Moses, Illinois, ii. 822; Gordon, Illinois Railway Legisla- 

 tion, 42. The board as finally constituted consisted of H. C. Cook, D. A. Brown, 

 and J. M. Pearson. Commissioner Cook died November 9, 1873, and his place 

 was filled by J. Steele. This board was re-appointed in 1875, and in 1877, Gover- 

 nor Cullom appointed W. M. Smith, G. M. Bogue, and J. H. Oberly. 



