taxable property. The citizen who owns ten houses in the city, or ten farms in the country, is not and should not for that reason be favored with a special rate of taxation. For the purpose of levying taxes it matters little who owns these estates, for taxes are levied upon property and property is held for their payment. In a similar manner freight charges. attach to the commodities transported, or in other words, they are a tax levied upon them. Hence, tariff discrimination in favor of privileged shippers are as unjust as a system of raising revenue which should prescribe a lower rate of taxation for the rich than for the poor. The exchange of the products of our scil and our factories will and must be effected. If an equitable tariff should dissatisfy such shippers as have heretofore been privileged characters, their enterprise will readily find new fields of labor, and other men, prepared to accept the new condition of things, will promptly fill their places. Neither will the public be the loser by the change nor will the volume of the transportation business be decreased. It is impossible to compute or even approximate the loss sustained by the people of Iowa in consequence of railroad discrimination. For years our miners have had just cause to be dissatisfied with their lot. The meager returns for their hazardous toil, decreasing from year to year, naturally led them to look for the cause of their oppression in the methods of their employers and the supposed iniquities of the law. There can be no doubt, however, that the miner simply suffers together with the operator by the discriminating and unreasonable coal tariff of our railroads, which not only confines the output of our mines to local markets, but even enables imported coal to compete with the best products of our own mines in the very heart of Iowa. Our millers fare still worse. The discriminations practiced by the railroads against them have made it impossible for them to manufacture flour for export, or even home consumption, except at a loss. Minnesota flour is often shipped to points in Iowa for less than one-third of what is charged for shipments of similar distances within the State. The injustice on the part of the railroads has forced a very large number of our millers to suspend work and has rendered their property almost worthless. When several years ago the General Assembly in the interest of morality and good order passed a law prohibiting the manufacture of intoxicating liquors to be used as a beverage, and thereby depreciated the value of the breweries and distilleries of the State, the act was denounced by the advocates of the liquor traffic as striking at the very birth-rights of American citizens, and its validity was tested in the highest courts of both the State and the Nation. But when a few railroad managers enter into a conspiracy to destroy by an unreasonable grain and flour tariff the milling interests of the State, built up at a cost many times greater than that of the distilleries and breweries, and furnishing employment to thousands of men; when they thus render comparatively worthless property employed in one of the most important and most successful industries of the State; and perpetrate such wrongs in violation of law and in defiance of all principles of justice no step is taken for relief, because in these many years of railroad usurpation the opinion has gained ground among our peo ple that the abuses of these wealthy and powerful corporations are without a remedy, and must be endured with meekness and resignation, like visitations of Providence. Hundreds of other manufacturing and jobbing industries have by this unwise and unjust policy been ruined or driven out of the State, and the large number of empty shops and factories in the State are dreary monuments of railroad hostility to Iowa enterprise. Our towns and rural districts are taxed and our wholesale business is being discouraged to build up a few large cities outside of our borders. It must not be supposed, however, that the friends of railroads and the defenders of their methods are confined to the few cities which thrive upon the tribute which the rural regions are forced to pay to them. By granting special rates, rebates, drawbacks and other fa. vors here and there to men of influence in their respective localities, they have secured the favor of many who, after having divided with them their spoils, are ready to defend their wrongs and to advocate a policy of neutrality on the part of the State. By retaining the ablest attorneys, by influencing the press, and by flattering and favoring politicians, they have managed for many years to prevent an open outburst of popular indignation; and their long continued success greatly added to their boldness in usurping unlawful powers and invading public rights. When it is considered that the railroad companies doing business in Iowa have an annual cash income of over one hundred million dollars, their past influence can readily be appreciated. It is not an extravagant statement that the power exerted by them has in many instances proved greater than that of the States to which they owe their corporate existence. The body politic is composed of individuals, whose opinions concerning questions of public policy diverge with their different interests, and party bias and party jealousy often make agreement impossible upon measures of common interest. Railroads, however, are enabled by their centralization of power and by combinations among themselves to act largely under a single management. Setting at naught the power of the State, they nullify with impunity the principles of equity which for centuries have been enunciated by the courts. Such combinations as are maintained by them would in other branches of business be considered conspiracies against the public welfare and would subject their originators to indictment. The assertion has often been made that railroads do not take sides in politics. It is doubtless true that they do not cast their fortunes with those of political parties, but it is not true that they do not concern themselves in the affairs of the political arena. It has been for years their well-defined policy to favor their friends and punish their enemies in political contests. These corporations have through their artfulness succeeded in appeasing from time to time an indignant public. Yet a change will come. Long continued abuses and aggressions will finally arouse the people; and law, the outgrowth of the necessities of the community, will surely, though insensibly, be moulded by public opinion. Railroads have suspended the natural laws of trade. If the appeals of justice are of no avail, the instinct of self-preservation at least should lead them to restore the free and unrestricted working of these laws. The people will not be content until existing abuses are corrected; and a persistent popular demand never fails to accomplish its object. Under our form of government the right to rule is inherent in the people. Capital and enterprise may justly claim protection, but they must also submit to proper control. The sense of justice which characterizes our people will not permit any legislation detrimental to the best interests of railroads. Iowa appreciates the services which they have rendered in the development of her great resources and acknowledges her dependence upon their co-operation in the great work of future days. However, the people have grievances and demand redress, and it devolves upon their representatives to enact such laws as promise to correct existing evils. Railroads should be consulted as to their wishes, and it is proper for their representatives to present their views upon all questions affecting their interests, but they should not attempt to dictate legislative measures. The people do not ask the passage of any law which would place railroads at a disadvantage. Nor would such legislation be advisable; there is a community of interest between the State and its public corporations, which should constantly be kept in view. The great importance of these indispersible agencies of our material progress requires that they be judiciously managed and properly controlled, and that in the adjustment of all questions which affect their interests the people be represented; and good feeling cannot be restored until railroads concede this right to the people. Freight tariffs have always been one-sided compacts. The railroads have dictated the terms, which through the force of circumstances the people have been compelled to accept. They have taxed the public to pay interest and dividends on largely fictitious investments. In every transaction growing out of the relations between these corporations and the people we find an expert on one side and a novice on the other. To represent the people and to defend their rights, is the province of the Board of Railroad Commissioners. This Board has often been looked upon by the railroads as a tribunal clothed with judicial powers and charged with the duty of protecting the interests of the people and those of the railroads alike. This, however, is an erroneous conception of their functions. The Railroad Commission was created to be a committee of the people obligated to advocate their rights. Organized capital can safely be trusted to defend itself. The Board of Railroad Commissioners should be authorized and required to exercise full and complete supervision over the railroads of the State, compelling them to comply with the laws and to furnish adequate facilities at reasonable compensation. With less than this the people of Iowa will not and should not be satisfied. Senators and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: To your careful and intelligent consideration have been entrusted the interests of nearly two million people. The office of the legislator involves upon its incumbent great responsibility. In the conscientious discharge of duty he must subordinate all personal ambition and private interests to the welfare of the State and the needs of his constituency. As it is your duty to care equally for all sections of the State, you . should guard against local and special legislation. Your measures should not only contemplate present results, but your efforts should be directed toward securing the greatest permanent good for the commonwealth. In making appropriations for the support of the State government, you should see that it is conducted with such economy as is consistent with the efficiency of the public service. Permit me to assure you, gentlemen, of my hearty co-operation in all measures likely to advance the moral and material interests of the State. Let us invoke the aid of Him who guides and controls the destinies of states and nations, and endeavor to gain the approval of the people whose eyes rest upon us, by earnest work and a faithful discharge of duty in the service of our beloved Iowa. The oath of office was delivered to J. A. T. Hull, Lieutenant-Governor elect, by Judge J. H. Rothrock, acting Chief Justice.of the Supreme Court. The members of joint convention then repaired to the hall of the House of Representatives. The convention was called to order in the hall of the House of Representatives by President Woolson. The minutes of joint convention were read and approved. Upon motion of Mr. Thompson the joint convention was dissolved. At 4:25 P. M. the Senate re-convened. Moved by Senator Finn, that a committee of two be appointed to escort the Lieutenant Governor to the chair. Carried. Committee appointed Senators Finn and Kelly. The committee escorted the Lieutenant Governor to the chair. President pro tempore Senator Woolson introduced J. A. T. Hull as Lieutenant Governor of Iowa. The Lieutenant-Governor then addressed the Senate, and at the conclusion of his remarks presented to the Secretary the following list of standing committees, which was read to the Senate: STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE. Ways and Means.-Senators Hutchison, Gatch, Poyneer, Harsh, Parrott, Barrett, Deal, Mills, Price, Vale, Kent, Schmidt, Kegler. Judiciary.-Senators Woolson, McCoy, Reiniger, Clark, Finn, Lawrence, Sweney, Seeds, Dungan, Weber, Knight, Bolter, Wolfe. Appropriations.-Senators Gatch, Young, Hutchison, Converse, Brower, McCoy, Garlock, Weidman, McVay, Smith, Taylor, Mattoon, Kelly. Railways.-Senators Sweney, Young, Harsh, Meservey, Finn, McVay, Caldwell, Deal, Bayless, Dodge, Groneweg. Agriculture.-Senators Poyneer, Mills, Vale, Converse, Deal, McCoy, Weidman, Reiniger, Kent, Chesebro, Dooley. Congressional Districts.-Senators Barrett, Weber, Weidman, Dungan, Doud, Smith, Barnett, Hanchett, Bills, Mattoon, Kent. Insurance.-Senators McCoy, Weber, Smith, Parrott, Finn, Bolter, Wolfe. Labor.-Senators Young, Davidson, Garlock, Hanchett, Caldwell, Funk, Kegler, Chesebro, Dooley. Education Institutions.-Senators Harsh, Vale, Meservey, Hutchison, Brower, Davidson, Bills, Knight, Dodge. Suppression of Intemperance.-Senators Clark, Reiniger, Weidman, Dungan, Converse, Poyneer, Barnett, Chesebro, Schmidt. Schools.-Senators Finn, Vale, Harsh, Parrott, Woolson, Funk, Bolter, Schmidt, Taylor. Cities and Towns.-Senators Parrott, Lawrence, Hutchison, Smith, Gatch, Harsh, Knight, Groneweg, Dodge. Public Health.-Senators Caldwell, McVay, Mills, Parrott, Seeds, Meservey, Bayless, Bills, Mattoon. Mines and Mining.-Senators Dungan, Davidson, Hanchett, Doud, McCoy, Funk, Barnett, Dooley, Kelly Charitable Institutions.-Senators McVay, Brower, Caldwell, Garlock, Dungan, Lawrence, Taylor, Kegler, Wolfe. Highways.-Senators Mills, Price, Converse, Meservey, Poyneer, Funk, Kent, Chesebro, Kelly. Compensation of Public Officers.-Senators Deal, Clark, Brower, Dodge, Bayless. Constitutional Amendments and Suffrage.-Senators Reiniger, Clark, Caldwell, Weidman, Converse, Chesebro, Kelly. Retrenchment and Reform.-Senators Weber, Vale, Finn, Sweney, Seeds, Taylor, Bills. Elections-Senators Meservey, Lawrence, McCoy, Barrett, Schmidt, Dodge, Bolter. Banks.-Senators Vale, Barrett, Price, Reiniger, Sweney, Kegler, Kelly. Commerce.-Senators Brower, Davidson, Doud, Funk, Hanchett, Bayless, Dooley. Federal Relations.-Senators Lawrence, Mills, Seeds, Hutchison, Clark, Groneweg, Kegler. Penitentiary and Pardons.-Senators Garlock, Price, Gatch, Barnett, Caldwell, Kent, Kelly. Senatorial and Representative Districts.-Senators Smith, Weidman, Funk, Poyneer, Doud, Dooley, Bills. Claims.-Senators Converse, Barrett, Harsh, Mattoon, Kegler. Corporations.-Senators Seeds, McVay, Price, Wolfe, Schmidt. Public Buildings.-Senators Davidson, Hanchett, Weber, Taylor, Groneweg. Manufactures.-Senators Price, Smith, Barnett, Bayless, Kent. |