MONOPOLY OF TRANSPORTATION. 609 



purchase and otherwise, the full ownership of her entire 

 railroad system. Other European States have exercised 

 the same sound judgment in either preserving full control 

 of the railways or granting charters with limited privileges 

 for short periods. But it is objected that, should the gov- 

 ernment own the railways of the country, it would be 

 centralizing the power, and become a means of political 

 corruption. The same objection has been urged in regard 

 to the government issuing its own money; and could, with 

 equal propriety, be urged against the government control 

 of the postal department, as also of the department of the 

 army and navy, and of the internal revenue department. 

 All these departments had as well be farmed out or rented 

 to syndicates for so much a year, and confer upon them the 

 privilege of taxing the people what they see fit to pay the 

 expenses of keeping up these different departments, and 

 whatever profits they may see fit to make. 



It is simply a question whether this centralization of 

 power in the hands of the government, which is the peo- 

 ple, would be more dangerous to their interests and their 

 liberties than when lodged in the hands of a few unscru- 

 pulous railroad officials, whose only object is gain, and 

 who have already distinguished themselves by corrupting 

 our legislatures and our courts. This question of trans- 

 portation is, to the farmer, one of serious moment. As 

 has already been remarked it is not a party question. 

 States having large Democratic majorities have been, and 

 are, as helplessly in the hands of corporations as those 

 which have large Republican majorities. It is a question 

 of serious consequence to the farmer. Upon its equitable 

 adjustment depends to a great extent whether in the future 

 farming will pay. 



