Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-03-22
COMMUNICATED.
THE RAILROAD VS.. THE PEG.
PIE OF w. VA.
ARTICLE NO. j.

of articles under this head, in order TO
contribute something towards keeping
public sentiment on the right track.
Those who approve our views are re-
quested to circulate these articles. The
author is an humble citizen trying TO
advance the general welfare; he much
prefers to remain unknown as writer,
because his ambition lies in different
direction; the public are not concerned
to know his name-it is sufficient that
he talks sense.
TIE QUO WARRANTO RESOLUTION.
We make no quarrel with those men,
bers of the Legislature who voted for
the KLPEAL of this resolution. But it is
our purpose TO show that that 6ack-
down was terrible blundcr which, un-
less speedily corrected, will cost this
State millions. As far as lies in our
humble power we will keep the truth
about this matter before the people.
We well know we can do but little IN
this direction; we well know these ar,i-
cles will have comparatively small
audience, because very few newspapers
will publish anything calculated 10 in
struct and inform the people of their
rights as against the railroad. We do
rot complain of the press in this matter.
a newspaper is private property, and
the editor may publish or may exclude
from his columns whatever he pleases.
1t is TO the interest OF the railroad 10
keep tie people in ignorance on this
subject, and we presume the newspapers
make money by suppressing the true
facts of the case. The truth is, and ev-
cry intelligent man understands it, that
as a rule our newspapers advocate the
side which pays the most money.
IN a future article, headed NEwsrA-
PER INFLUENCE, we shall have some
thing to say on this subject.
The Is. & o. II. II. claims the right,
under lis chatter, TO do many things
which the people believe are fatal to the
prosperity of this State; it claims a
RIGHT TO 50 regulate freight on wheat
that Jefferson land must sell at SIS per
acre, viz: at the same price as land
1000 miles farther West; it claims the
rigM TO give one man special rates and
to refuse them to his neighbor; it denies
that the Legislature has authority to
NEEDLE in any way with lis business or
It's management; it denies the right OF
the State TO tax it as other roads are
taxed, and has obtained an injunction
restraining the auditor from certifying
to the Sherilis the amount assessed In
each county. These are only jeto OF
the pretentions set up by this corpora
ton.
But the people believe, and their be-
! lief is sustained by some of the best le-
! gal minds in The country, that the rail
road is wrong, and that the law is very
/ different. The railroad claims one thing
and the people claim another. Now,
when parties disagree about the law,
the only way TO end the controversy Is
! to 90 into the courts of justice. Barba-
] rians fSht-civilized people call on The
courts to decide.
The Legislature, by an overwhelming
majority, decided to get tie courts to
declare the rights and the duties OF this
corPoratloh' aho' WIN luis view P"'se''
resolution ihS'f"c'ihS inc "''"ans3
genera - prosecute quo "'''""' ~
aSa'Nst Tue r"'l'o""'
resolution. Every one must see chat
! there are only two alternatives: either
10 SUNNI any 'tS '"'s .I J p"ao;a ~
','e S'"'e As ':e IA '"'s so ' w., ,a|.
else 70 ascertain anu a1'', e',o.oo 'ie 'a"
n"' :"o ''', o''' ":. va. w ~ ~ 80
% justice ~ "ee!"'G .'' '!S"'' ."u No
o"'ies' therefore IL og'e'.'''"eo' u' e'e'y
Cos'' " c"'"P'i ''' Ha1'',t".e ~ I, D''oN
"0"' al" - ' -, ,,,a anI hrIir ,Lo
- '"",'''"'>" ~ '.',t'''e" ",'' e.,
~ 'nI,", i, ,,a.,;,n,s o,II concexs;oog
eu """' ''' i'' ',|''''S van ~
! FIRST, as 10 the MffdS. IL was al
| nounced That unless the resolution was
repeated Tie company "G"Io S""neh'!
raise It's rates III Oh enough 10 na'!Ar"p'
ever! industry along rs lines. MS was
mere idie bi"Sier, because II II Sno0II
increase lis rates ~ -har''f!Sp"rG a''o
other points where 'h're Is competition:
rlE"! roads would carry 'he trade away
from Baltimore. his point was o'-
TeIoped III an n lIc,e III me iast h'SlS-
Ter, emitted ne haliroad eohlro'ti-
sy, to which oUr readers are re1erred.)
Dut THIS threat, which the ra'Iroad care
not execute, served It's purpose; inc
newspapers, publishing only one SIDE,