The South Improvement Company Repeal

Petroleum Centre Daily Record, April 5, 1872

The contract between the railroads and the South Improvement Company has been canceled. The Legislature has repealed the charter of the monopoly. And Congress is now investigating the matter, which, it is expected, will result in the national government putting an end to all discrimination in freights by railroads and other common carriers.

Here is what an uprising of the people can accomplish in a few weeks. So far, it looks as if the oil men have smooth sailing—but such is not the fact.

It is not safe to presume that the repeal of the monopoly’s charter will put a quietus to it. It is impossible for the Legislature to annul a charter after the corporation has purchased property and commenced operations, as we believe the South Improvement Company has done.

Even if that could be done, there are a dozen other charters, equally sweeping in their powers, still in existence and at the command of the same scoundrels who have sought to control the oil trade.

Unless Congress completely bars all such attempts as we have been fighting, we are still at the mercy of the same combination. The oil men know this, and until they have the best assurances of a complete victory, they will keep up their fire.