GOVERNMENT ACTIONS: RAILROADS
The government put most of their actions towards the railroad in the 1800s. They were willing to pay as much money as it took to stretch the railway across all the way from the east to the west. However, with this dream came many consequences and need for regulation. Granger laws were created for farmers who rebelled against the railroaders who ran them into bankruptcy. So the state government tried to put charges on grains by such laws. However in Munn v. Illinois, congress ruled that
there must be a top price that will be charged for grain. This was repealed in the Wabash Case, when Congress overruled this and said states had no power to regulate interstate commerce. The federal government took to restrict railroads
was the Interstate Commerce Act. It prohibited rebates and pools, required the railroads to publish their rates, and suspended charging more for a short trip then for a long one over the exact rail line. The act also brought about the Interstate Commerce Commission to look over the railroads. Primarily the federal government would do just about anything to unify the east and the west through the construction of railroads. However, as time passed and corrupt individuals,companies, and ground became a nuisance, acts were necessary to continue to run the railroads smoothly.
there must be a top price that will be charged for grain. This was repealed in the Wabash Case, when Congress overruled this and said states had no power to regulate interstate commerce. The federal government took to restrict railroads
was the Interstate Commerce Act. It prohibited rebates and pools, required the railroads to publish their rates, and suspended charging more for a short trip then for a long one over the exact rail line. The act also brought about the Interstate Commerce Commission to look over the railroads. Primarily the federal government would do just about anything to unify the east and the west through the construction of railroads. However, as time passed and corrupt individuals,companies, and ground became a nuisance, acts were necessary to continue to run the railroads smoothly.
GOVERNMENT ACTIONS: LABOR UNIONS
Labor Unions were not really considered an issue to the federal government. In situations like the Haymarket Square Riots, althought there was destruction from the riot, the government was able to shun away the offenders. The Knights of Labor were extremely violent in reaching their goals. They wanted a shorter work day, child-labor laws, sanity and safety codes, a federal income tax, and other ways that would benefit and make a workday more enjoyable. However, the popularity of the nights began to decline after a majority of unsuccessful strikes. Unions were usually run by women, who also made efforts at urban reform as well as work reform.
Eventually, government began to take notice when riots such as the Homestead Steel Strike and Pullman Strike occurred. The government could usually suppress the riots, but they still frightened them. They were fully recognized when they were granted a National Labor Day, and the government continued to acknowledge and recognize the fight that these labor unions took to get better working conditions.
Eventually, government began to take notice when riots such as the Homestead Steel Strike and Pullman Strike occurred. The government could usually suppress the riots, but they still frightened them. They were fully recognized when they were granted a National Labor Day, and the government continued to acknowledge and recognize the fight that these labor unions took to get better working conditions.