562 THE IMPENDING REVOLUTION. 



James A. Garfield said: 



"The modern barons, more powerful than their mili- 

 tary prototypes, own our greatest highways and levy tribute 

 at will upon our vast industries. And, as the old feudal- 

 ism was finally controlled and subordinated only by the 

 combined efforts of the kings and the people of the free 

 cities and towns, so our modern feudalism can be subordi- 

 nated to the public good only by the great body of the 

 people. ' ' 



We have quoted the above authorities as evidence of 

 the dangerous tendencies of the great corporations that 

 now control our highways of commerce, and are seeking 

 through the most corrupt means to extend and maintain 

 their power over the business and industries of the country. 

 In further proof of the baseness and venality of their 

 practices, we quote below a few of the famous C. P. 

 Huntington letters. These letters were brought to public 

 notice through a suit tried at Santa Rosa, Cal., to deter- 

 mine whether the widow of Gen. Colton, who was Mr. 

 Huntington' s western manager, was being fairly dealt with 

 by the managers of the Central Pacific railroad: 



NEW YORK, December 23, 1875. 

 Friend Colton: 



Yours, in relation to Messrs. Bird and Parrot, received. 

 I can do nothing with the parties. The last time I saw 

 Bird he was wildly mad. I spent an evening with Parrott; 

 he did not show temper like Bird, but said they had been 

 shamefully used, etc. , and said that when we could satisfy 

 Castle, he and Bird would be satisfied, etc. ; now the busi- 

 ness must be done, I think, on that side, but we all 

 understand that we should have it if it can be got at a fair 

 price, and that soon. Please let me know what arrange- 

 ment we have had with Mr. Castle; how much we agreed 

 to pay him for his services, and as to whether he has been 



