Rensselaer Union, Volume 5, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 April 1873 — Resolutions of the Illinois Farmers’ Convention. [ARTICLE]

Resolutions of the Illinois Farmers’ Convention.

|TTnE following rcsolutiona-were adopted at tlie first day’s session of the recent Illinois Fanners’ State Convention: Resolved, By the farmers ofllllnois in mass meeting assembled, tbit all chartered monopolies not regulated or controlled by law have proved in that respect detrimental to the pnbltc prosperity,. corrupting in their management, and dangerous to republican institutions. 2. The railways of the world, except in those countries where they have been held under the strict regulation and supervision of the Government, have practiced arbitrary extortions, and as much opposed to free institutions and free commerce between States as were the feudal barons of the Middle Ages. 3. That we holß, declare and resolve that this despotism, which defies onr laws, plunders our shippers, impoverishes our people, and corrupts our Government, shall be subdued and made to observe the public interest at whatever cost. 4. That we believe the State did not and could not confer any of its sovereign power upon any corporattonrand that now Is the most favorable time to settle the question, so that it may never be hereafter misunderstood that a State cannot create a corporation it cannot thereafter control. 5. That, in view of the present extortions, we look with alarm upon the. future of an interest wliich can combine in the hands of a few men a capital of nearly $250,000,000 In our own Btate to $4,000,000,000 in our Union; and we believe it essential to the prosperity of all classes that this contest continue, until those corporations acknowledge the supremacy of law. 6. That we regard It as the undoubted power and the imperative duty of the Legislature, to pass laws fixing reasonable maximum rates for freight and passengers, without classification of roads, and that we urge upon onr General Assembly the passage of such laws. —... _• . 7. That the existing statute providing for a classification of railways, with a view to adjusting a tariff of charges according to gross amount of earnings, Is a delusion and a snare, and Is so framed that the railways are able to classify themselves, and that it ought to be carefully modified or repealed.-" _ . 8. That inasmuch as the Supreme Court Has clearly pointed out the way to reach unjust discriminations made by railways of this State, We can see no reason for delay on the part of the Legislature in enacting the necessary laws on the subject, and wc urge immediate action thereon. 9. That we urge the passage of a bill enforcing the principle that railways are public highways, and requiring the railways to make actual connections with alt roads whose tracks meet and cross their own, and to receive and transmit ail cars and trains offered over their roads at reasonable maximum rates, whether offered at such crossings or at stations along their roads, and empowering the making of connections by municipal co-operation for that purpose and for the public nsc. 10. That we heartily indorse the action of the General Assembly looking to the enforcement of the performance of their duties by monopolies as common carriers, and that in addition thereto, we believe that the railways should be required to carry ali-the freights and passengers offered from the country through which fftey pass, and not permitted to limit tlie amount of their business and destroy its natural industry. 11. That the Constitution and laws of Illinois arc as hiuding upon the railway corporations as upon the citizens, and that the State must require obedience to the law from ail alike, whether the same be deemed constitutional or not by the parties affected, until repealed or declared unconstitutional. 12. That we indorse most fully the action of those who tender legal rates of fare upon the railways and refuse to pay more and that ft is the duty of the Legislature to provide by law for the defence by the State of all suits commenced or that hereafter may be commenced by railway companies against individuals who have insisted, or hereafter may insist upon the right to ride on railways at legal rates. 13. That the presentation of railway passes to our legislators, whatever may - be the spirit and intent with which they are accepted, is demoralizing in its influence, and we look to onr Legislature now in session, to rise above all personal considerations of pecuniary interest or convenience, and to pass a law that -members of the Legislature receive no pay when absent from duty ; and making it a misdemeanor for any Hcuator or Representative or other State or county officers to accept any railway pass, knowing as we do that the people look Bpon the acceptance of these passes with decided and almost universal disapprobation. Wiieueah, The Constitution of 1848, Article ten, prohibits the Legislature from granting special railway charters in the following words: ••Corporations not possessing banking powers or privileges may be formed under tho general law, but snail not be created by special acts except for municipal purposes, and in cases where, in the judgment of the General Assembly, the objects of the corporations cannot be attained under general laws;”’ therefore,. Resolved, Tliat It is extremely doubtful whether any railway charter granted since April 1,1848, by the Legislature of Illinois is of any validity, and that the vested rights of railway monopolies In this State exist only by the assumption of the monopolies, and the sufferance of the people. Whereas, The Constitution of 1870, article 11, section 13. prohibits any railway company from issuing watered stock, in these words: "No railway corporation shall Issue any stock or bonds except for money, labor or property actually received and applied to the purposes for which such corporation was created; and all,stock dividends and other fle-, titioits increase of the capital stock or indebtedness of any euch corporation Shall be void; the capital stock of no railway corporation shall he increased for any purpose, except upon giving sixty days’ pnhlic notice in such manner as may be provided bylaw;” _ - . Whereas, This article of the Constitution "has probably been violated by nearly all* the railway companies in the State; therefore, Resolved, That it is the duty of the Railway Commissioners to look carefully into this matter, and to commence proceedings in all clear cases, by "quo warranto” or otherwise, against all railway compa- ' nies which have disregarded this important provision of organic law of the State. _ Resolved. That we demand of Congress a repeal of all laws preventing the competition of small vessels. which may choose to engage in the carrying trade on the lakes, between ports in the United States, without regard to nationality. Resolved. That we are in favor of the immediate repeal of the protective duties on iron, steel, lumber, and all materials which enter fbto the Construction of railway cars, steamships, sailing vessels, agricultural implements, etc.; and that we urge upon Congress Immediate action for this purpose, as cheap railways and cheap ships are necessary to cheap freights, and we invite the railway companies to co-operate with ns to that end. Resolved. That the practice of legislators. State or National, voting on questions or measures on which they are at the time directly pecuniarily Interested, is contrary to public morality and all ju»t principles of wise legislation. Resolced , That It is one of the necessary measures of railroad reform that the laws that make the stocks of railroad corporations personal proper: vbe repealed, and the law so amended as io withdraw such stocks from speculation, and give to them the permanency and certainty of owner ship of the railroads themselves. whereas. Railroads, including their rolling stock and tracks are not assessed at more than one-tenth of their actual value; .» Resolved. That we demand that they pav taxes in proportion to the taxes paid hy citizens of the Stats, and that if any amendment U necessary to the Revenue law to compel said railroads to pay said share of taxes, that the Legislature so amend said law, and dgmand of the next State Board of Equalization to assess railroad property in proportion to its value. A polygamous Nashville man recently rVoped with two marrtell wbmen, both of that city, one of whom had two children and the other one. He was pursued by both tlie ltereaved husbands as far as St. Lottis, where he was overtaken and lodged in jail. . A Kokomo (Inti.) toper, who was brought before a justice and asked where he got the liquor which made him drunk, answered that begot It "of Steve Ludlow, in the spring of ltWd,” ami that lie iiihV "be«q drunk ever tiuet 1 . 1 '