The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1869-03-19
Frea Railrnad Passea.


While complimentary tickets are. in most
cases, of little pecuniary value to editors,
inasmuch as they seldom fnd time to make
then available and if only the cost of edito-
rial notices Of railroads be considered, these
do not ray the expenses of composition,
yet we view the connection between the
railroads and press as involving other than
mere pecuniary considerations.
Railroads are the leading feature in the
internal improvements of the country /;
every class of society. merchants, manu-
facturers, capitalists, mechanics, farmers,
are all alike deeply interested in their pro-
gress, consequently they deservedlY occupy
the greater portion of the attention Of the
community at large, and thus become le-
Ultimately leading theme of remark and
discussion in the newspapers of the coun-
try, and in such a manner too, that while
the railroad system is benefited by the no.
tees of the press. the press has no oppor-
tunity, except in particular instances, of
making specific pecuDiary charges in re-
turn nor should such be made, the sub
iect being a matter of interest to the read
ers Of newspapers as well as profit to the
railroads. Nevertheless, the least that
railroad companies can do, under the cir
cumstances, is to accord the courtesies of
their several lines to the press freely and
this ne have, with scarcely an exception,
ever found them ready to do. And :nis,
too, the press can ss freely accept at their
hands without any fear of compromising
that self-respect and independence of char
acter which it is presumed should attach
to the editorial profession. Fayetteville
Observer.
The above asticle, though founded upon
a wrong impression, takes a very sensible
view of the relations that should exist be-
ween the press and the railroads. The
Observer, however, is mistaken as to The
terms upon which the ReVietO received its
complimentary" pass. There was mani
tested no liberal recognition of the ReUieag's
claims upon the railroad for past services
voluntarily rendered, and the editor of that
paper did compromise his independence"
in our opinion, by accepting it upon the
conditions offered by the company. A
pass was rendered to the editor of this pa
per upon the same conditions, and it was
promptly returned to President Sloss. with
a respectful protest against the ''compro-
mising4 terms offered and the illiberal
.snirit- manifested BY them: BY accepting
EtssgsesO not only pledged itself
standing at the head of its local
shssschedpls ofarrivals. a depart
2, t5oga this sched q takes up
st valuable nee in a
"a. is not either compro6s sing to
5dfloF q an unreasonable demand upon
his columns, upaccOmpanied by other con-
lions butss alsO Compromise" his
TO charge the railroad company for
mate advertising. This is not only
compromising the independence of the
press, but bartering away its rights, and
paying double price for pass, which the
editor is really entitled 10 as ''compi
mentary" recognition of his services.
The arrivals aud departures of trains are
kept standing at the head of our local col
umus as a matter of convenience to our
readers and the travelling public, and we
do not ask or desire pay for it. Neither do
we ask or expect pay for any other cOurte-
sizes that have been extended to the railroad
by the CITIZEN, but we must be permitted
to express the opinion that the Board of
Directors has not dealt literally with the
press in this matter.
The TENURE OF OFFICE LAw.-The bill