The reader will notice the fact, that while the author has quoted liberally from the statutes and resolves of congress to show the great privileges and powers conferred upon railroad companies, and familiarized the reader with their financial and other transactions for a clear understanding of their manner of doing business, he has not pretended to give a full history; satisfying himself with such chapters as would place before the public the true character of these monopolies. The author has sought to present truthful statements of matters in connection with the various _interests_ now so hostile to the _rights_ of the people, and he believes he has embodied the facts as they exist. D. C. C. MUSCATINE, Iowa, July 28, 1873. TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGES. A PRELIMINARY SURVEY, 15-18 CHAPTER II. THE PACIFIC RAILROAD INIQUITY, 19-28 CHAPTER III. THE MONOPOLISTS "HELP THEMSELVES," 29-39 CHAPTER IV. HOW CONGRESS BETRAYED THE PEOPLE, 40-48 CHAPTER V. CONGRESS BECOME A STOCK EXCHANGE, 49-55 CHAPTER VI. HOW THE LAND GRANT RAILROADS "DEVELOPE" A COUNTRY, 56-62 CHAPTER VII. THE CREDIT MOBILIER AND A VILLAINOUS CONTRACT, 63-80 CHAPTER VIII. HAS CONGRESS THE POWER, UNDER THE CONSTITUTION, TO CREATE OR ENDOW PRIVATE CORPORATIONS? 81-91 CHAPTER IX. STATE RIGHTS AT THE BAR OF A CORRUPT CONGRESS, 92-98 CHAPTER X. AN UNSETTLED ACCOUNT--A GUILTY DIRECTORY, 99-105 CHAPTER XI. SOLE PURPOSES OF TAXATION, 106-111 CHAPTER XII. THE RIGHT OF EMINENT DOMAIN--UNCONSTITUTIONALITY OF MUNICIPAL AID TO RAILROADS, 112-122 CHAPTER XIII. THE FATAL POLICY OF MORTGAGING CITIES AND COUNTIES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAILROADS, 123-129 CHAPTER XIV. THE IMPOVERISHING TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM--THE WAREHOUSE CONSPIRACY, 130-137 CHAPTER XV. A NEW AND FALSE PRINCIPLE IN HYDRAULICS--WATERED STOCK--ITS UNLAWFUL PROFITS THE SOURCE OF EXTORTIONATE TARIFFS--THE FAST DISPATCH SWINDLE, 138-146 CHAPTER XVI. A PRIVILEGED CLASS--THE MONOPOLISTS RELIEVED OF THE BURDENS OF TAXATION--AN OUTRAGE UPON REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT, 147-151 CHAPTER XVII. THE STRONG GRASP OF CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL UPON AMERICAN LEGISLATION--BEECHER ON "REFORMATION OR REVOLUTION"--HISTORY OF RAILWAY LEGISLATION IN IOWA, 152-168 CHAPTER XVIII. THE "TRAIL OF THE SERPENT" IN THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT, 169-179