The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-04-25
LETTER FROM EAST MIssIs-
SIPPI.
us It True ?"

editorial, AT the neau OF WHICH slOOu the
above question, as it true" and you
quote from the Aberdeen Examiner the
following: THE people of East Missis-
sippi do not recognize the matter of
State railroad supervision as a question
of politics" to which you reply may be
not"
I am not only the personal friend of
the editor-in-chief of the Examiner, but
have the greatest admiration for his
pure, spOtless character; his bright and
sparkling intellect; his extensive and
useful information upon almost every
question, and his answering devotion
to the principles of the Democratic par
ty and good government; and there is
no gentlemen with whom would ven
turc to take issue with greater ditiidence
than with the editor of the Examiner;
but I must think he is mistaken upon
this question. | think the Democratic
voters OF East Mississippi do recognize
as a fact, that railroad corporations
should be supervised by Legislative au-
thority in the interest, and for the pro-
lection Of, the people Of the State, such
supervision to be exercised Of course
within constitutional limits.
think it is almost unanimously con
coded by the people Of East Mississippi"
that the Democratic party in the State
conventions Of 1877 and 1881 voiced the
real sentiment of the people of the State
on that question, but that the public
servants of the people have failed to
carry out the wishes of the people in
this respect. And it may be, that be-
cause "the people of East Mississippi"
have quietly submitted this long to rail
road eXtortions on one side, and
broken promises on the other
that our friend concludes the
matter of State railroad supervis-
ion" is not recognized in this part of
the State cas- a question of politics." but
We will see that it will be an issue in the
canvass just ahead Of lis, and that can
didates for the Legislature will be re-
quired to define their positions, without
any equivocation whatever on this ques-
ton. Also that. the candidate who op-
poses railroad supervision, will be elected
to stay at home.
Important, and very large privileges
are granted to railroad corporations, not
the least Of which is the right, within
constitutional limits, and under proper
legal restrictions, to take private prop
erty and appropriate it for their benefit
and to their use. These rights and priv
ileges are conferred upon railroads, pre-
sumably at least ain the interest of the
people," for the good Of the many.
Now if the State has the power to take
from me my land and grant it to a rail
road in the interest Of the people, has it
not the power also to compel that rail
road to be operated in such way that
it will not Go violence to "the interest Of
the peopleY' The constitution will only
allow the State to take my land Gin the
interest OF the people" it can not be
taken for the purpose Of wronging and
expressing the people, and it is clearly
the duty of the State to sec, that after
my land has been taken aud applied to
this public use, the railroad does
not use it to theinjury of the people. But
the State can only exercise its authority.
through the enforcement of public
laws, and can only protect the people
from injury and oppression by enacting
and then enforcing proper laws. There
is no law in this State adequate to the
protection of the interest of the people
against railroad exactions and extor-
tons. And it is a notorious fact that
at least some railroads in this State are
not operated in the interest of the peo-
pie and that they are now in the enioy-
ment OF prosperity, which was taken
IRON private citizens, and given to them
IN the interest of the people, that is to
promote the general good, but as used bv
said railroads it is promoting the general
harm and injury. And yet there are those
who say there is not enough sovereignty
IN the people of the State to control
these creatures of the State and to pre-
vent them from destroying the State.
mat the creature is more powerful than
the creatorl Away with such doctrine
1t cannot be supported by principle nor
sustained by authority. 1t is the doc
trine OF tyrants and the argument Of
usurpers. "The people of East Mississip-
pi" are in full accord, and in exact bar-
mony with the declaration of the Demo-
cratic party thai" corporations are surper-
visable by legislative authority, within
constitutional limits in the interest and
| for tho r Al