The railroad company must either build the road or pay the enormous freight or else make special rates with the Oregon Steam Navigation Company. If special rates are granted they will be granted as a consideration for not building and for the continuance of this crushing monopoly. The interests of the sixty thousand people now living on the Upper Columbia and its affiuents. a vast and productive basin into which a constantly increasing volume of immigration is pouring. ought not to be left dependent upon the option of the railroad company. but ought to be secured by law. Said company can no doubt secure cheap rates for its iron and other freights by contract. but an essential element of that contract. either express or implied. will be a denial of the same rates to others. Congress is the guardian of the rights of the people. and when its equity powers are appealed to to continue a lapsed grant it ought to compel those to whom its generosity is extended to do equity. and not to leave it to the option of the donees of its generosity whether they will do equity or not.
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immigration