davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1884-08-27
A Cranky Communist.
ChattanOOps Times.

In the case of Tennessee the ship
pers on her roads had no right to ex-
pect anything of the commission but
that which has happened. The law of
their creation was a hotch-potch of
crudities and compromises, and was
pronounced worthless by our best
lawyers. The gentlemen chosen to
enforce this law and act as umpires in
the delicate and difficult relations be-
tween shippers and railroads was
a unique body. AT the head was
placed a cranky, superanuated poll
tician filed with most extreme preju-
dices against the roads, and entertain
ing views on public and corporate
finances similar to those held by
French agrarians, by Denis Kearney,
of California, and Justus Schwab, of
New York City. Next in order was a
gentleman who had never resided on
the line of railroad; had not made
the operations of our railway system
any part of his study. The gentle
man at the tail of this remarkable
board had, we believe, at some period
in his career surveyed the line of a
projected road in the engineer depart
lnent of another road. Not man of
the three knew as much of the "tricks
of the trade" of practical railroading
as an intelligent brakeman. They all
knew less of the great interest over
which they were set, involving not
less than $75,000,000 Of capital, than
is known by any division Superinten-
dent or upper clerk of freight Office.
With commission so composed, a
rickety statute to guide them, and
cranky communist sitting at the head
of the table as a legal adviser, is it
any wonder the attempt at railroad
legislation in Tennessee has fallen into
general contempt? Is it any wonder
the courts sent the board into indef-
mite retirenaDt
The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1884-08-27

the nominees of the party, and not one
Republican in fifty could name the
nominees of his party. If candidates
for other offices were to omit from the
ticket the names of the nominees of
the parties for Railroad Commission
ers, there would not be any votes cast
for them. Nobody is canvassing for
them, few people know that such Off
GERS are to be elected, and those who
do know that the only thing that
they do at present is to draw their
salary.
No better proof of the uselessness of
these officers is needed than the abso-
lutte indifference of the people, if not
their ignorance, that such officers are
to elected in November next.
Men and parties may sometimes
build strong and lasting structure on
ignorance, as the priesthood have
sometimes done, but the permanency
of the building depends on continued
ignorance; but the party or party
leader or aspirant which builds pop
ular prejudice will have short career.
The clanor against railroads, which
pay little or no dividends to stock
holders, has subsidized, and if there is
not revival of railroad speeches of
the bloody shirt order, the next Legis-
islature will be apt to reduce the cur
rent expenses 50, 900, and three clever
gentlemen will be relegated to the
shades of private life.
The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1884-08-27
Railroad Development.

Tribune and Sun, Jackson, Tenn.
The extension of the Huntington
system OF roads to Nashville is now
assured. It's further extension to
Jackson, where connection will be
made with the Mobile & Ohio and the
Illinois Central Roads, and thence to
Memphis, shortening the route to the
East and rendering the New Orleans
& Memphis Road a competing line to
the Northeastern cities from the Gulf
and Southwest, is also question only
of time and comparative short time.
1t will be great road and will lead
to the construction of other roads.
The immense iron fields of the Ten
nessee River country will be brought
into process of rapid development.
The vast timber regions lying in virgin
splendor between this city and Nash
vile will be developed and made to
add their millions to the wealth of the
State. The beautiful Tennessee Val
ley and the many fertile valleys that
with their dashing streams debauch
into it will spring into newness of life
under the inspiration of easy trans
portation and of capital and popula-
ton. Other roads will be built as
feeders, as connecting lines and
as rivals. AThere will be one to
Sheffield connecting with BIrming-
ham, one to the north tapping the
Cumberland River at GAINESVILLE, one
to the northwest reaching out for
Cairo and st. Louis, one from Jackson
direct to Birmingham in the interest
of the I. G. road and of the city of
Chicago, and one from Nashville east
to the Cincinnati Southern and on to
Knoxville. Its effect upon the rail-
road development of the State cannot
now be calculated. A railroad boom
will follow its construction that will
not stop until the matches resources
of Tennessee are provided with ample
facilities for development.
All that Tennessee needs to lead her
sister States in diversified industries is
transportation. She has the coal, the
iron, the stone, the forests, the water
power, the soil and the climate, and is
capable of the largest diversity of in
dustries and production of any State
in the Union. The encouragement
of railroad building is therefore the
wise and the paying policy. No OBJ
stacle should be thrown in the way
and no hostile sentiment encouraged.
The morning of grand day
for Tennessee has come and every cit
izen and every interest should unite in
efforts to make it brighter and bright
er. Let the people, the public men,
the press, the railroads and the capt.
talists work together for the common
good. This is no time for cant, or
grumbling, or snarling, or demagogy.
This is the time for the harmonious
cooperation of all interests and the
people in the work of material devel-
opment.
The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1884-08-27
THE RAILROAD COMMISSION.


We are coming face to face with the
Railroad Commission problem. AS
far as Tennessee is concerned il is
simply a business matter. We pro-
pose to treat it so, and to inquire what
is the interest of Tennessee. If we
understand the position Of the few
papers in the State insisting upon a
railroad commission, they advocate a
supervisory commission, or a commits
sion with plenary power over the
roads.
If the head Of the Railroad Com
mission, Col. John III. Savage, is cor
rectly reported at Sparta, his present
canvass over the State means a more
rigid law to be enacted than the one
under which the commission was
created.
Applying business principles to the
question of railroad commission, the
whole subject is disposed of in few
words.
What does a railroad commission
cost the State? Six thousand dollars
salaries per annum, besides other ex-
penses.
What can a railroad commission,
under the present law, or under any
law proposing to supervise the rail-
roads, fixing the charges, etc, do?
Simply nothing-nothing in the world
until the Supreme Court of the United
States decides the question now pend
ing in that court upon a writ Of error
10 the United States Circuit Court at
Nashville, in which the law under
which We are now acting was declared
10 be unconstitutional.
Are we right in this? Who will
gsinsay is? The question Is Federal |
The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1884-08-27
The Work of Demagogues.
Dresden ENTERPRISE.


The Nashville World continues its
attempts to fire the public mind with
hatred of the railroads. Why it will
persist in its wild opposition to so i'm
pOrtant factor in the development of
our State as railway building, is mys-
terry, unless its inherent Bourbonism
naturally impels it to oppose all kinds
of progress. 1t certainly does not re-
fleet the popular sentiment in regard
to railways in Tennessee, for the peo-
pie can see no occasion for the Worlds
bitterness unless it is fearful that
Savage, Gordon & Co. will be de-
prived of sinecure offices. Our State
Convention, through its entire pro-
ceedings, manifested no animosity to
our railroads-indeed, when it struck
the railroad question it trod cautiously
over that ground, for it recognized the
danger of manacling railroads, and
would not dare insert plank in the
platform favoring mandatory COM
mission. Now, as our present advi-
sorry commission has not stood the test
of judicial opinion, what could be ex-
pected of one of mandatory nature?
The fact is, the whole scheme is faulty
and the work of demagogues. in favor
of placemen. There is small economy
and less sense in paying large salaries
to three men to fill useless offices of
which the people have grown heartily
tired.
The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1884-08-27
Railroad Commission.
Tribune and Sun.

A Bolivar, Tenn, correspondent of
the Nashville American, in a recent
communication to that paper, makes
the following remarks:
The Tennessee Railroad Commission
act has been declared unconstitutional,
null and void by the courts.
A. similar bill in Mississippi has
been passed upon by both the Federal
and State Courts, and declared to be
null and void as in conflict with both
State and Federal Constitutions.
Judges Baxter, Hammond, Key, Hill,
Pardee and Woods, of the Federal ju-
dietary, and Judge Peyton, learned
Chancellor of the State Courts in
Mississippi, have al, passed upon the
question and all reached exactly the
same result. 1t is, therefore, almost
certain that the Supreme Court will
affirm these decisions.
Why, therefore, the continued
clauior for State Railroad Commits
sion? The Democratic party pre-
tends to be law-abiding. The courts
The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1884-08-27

are our chosen arbiters. When they
so unanimously declare the law Great
ing the State Railroad Commission q
nullitv, does it not look as If the party
would disregard the law as interpre-
ted by the courts and refuse to bow to
| their decree?
Sensible men must know that the
roads chartered by the State, without
reservation in the charter as to the
States right to alter or amend, cannot
now be subjected to the control of a
State Railroad Commission such as
the last Legislature created.
In the North American Review of
September, 1883, is published an arti-
ticle on the subject by Judge Cooley,
the distinguished law writer, and the
following language is used:
where charters exist, which have
been granted without the reservation
of the power to amend or repeal, the
State must abide by the grant, and if
it was improvident, must suffer the
consequences. All that can be done
is to see that the incorporates them
selves observe the conditions of the
charter according to its true intent,
and, if they fail to do so, to forfeit it.
This is the rule of constitutional law,
and it is also the rule of public honor
and integrity
This states the case in a nutshell,
and ought to put quletus to all this
rant about Railroad Commission.
They cannot interfere with the vested
rights of the railroads, and politicians
should give us a rest on this question,
which ought not to be dragged into
politics. 1t is purely judicial ques-
ton, and the courts have decided it.
The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1884-08-27
USELESS AND EXPENSIVE.
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.l
Wants a Railroad.

Smith County Record.
The subject of the Railroad Com
mission is attracting much attention
throughout the State, and is calling
out from the press much unfavorablt
comment. Even the papers in those
| localities where the commission would
| do the most good (if it could do any
good at alb, are, many of them, speak.
| ing out in strong terms against it. II
has been made party question, and
this is considered very unwise.
But if the people in those localities
are convinced of the unwisdom of
that policy, and ask that it be aban-
| doned for the good of the State, how
much more ought we to do SO? If
there is anything we do need in this
section of the State it is at least one
railroad. We have contributed our
part of the taxation to the building of
the roads in other sections, and have
none ourselves. Shall we, after do
ing this, take that course which
will forever prevent us from
getting such benefits? Shall we
allow few who have such
advantages to draw us into aiding
them to cut US off from all hope of
getting similar benefits?
Surely no sane capitalist would in
vest his money in an enterprise, know
ing that the State would Immediately
appoint a guardian or committee to
take charge of it. 1t is humiliating
enough for a semi-iunatic to have a
guardian appointed, and often disas-
trous enough to his estate; but for
the ablest financiers of the country to
voluntarily place themselves or prop
erty under guardianship cannot
reasonably be expected.
The commission, then, can hardly
fail to hinder railroad enterprise. But
this is what we peed to develop our
section more than anything else.
No party, it seems to us, should take
position against the declared law of
the land as settled IN accordance with
our free institutions. The Railroad
Commission bill has been declared I'M
constitutional, and it cannot be exc
cuted until the cases now pending are
disposed of. It seems to US that we
ought, at least, to let the question be
held in allegiance until the courts have
decided what we can legally do.
Otherwise we may be found fighting
against law and rightful authority,
and we are opposed to legislation
which interferes with private or
vested rights when so declared by
proper judicial tribunals.
The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1884-08-27
TEE DEMOCRATIC srANpARp-REARER.

Gov. Bate has been complimented
by the Democratic press of the State
with a unanimous and enthusiastic
approval of his selection as the stand
ard-bearer OF the party in the Guber-
material fight. Few men in the South
have attained to his popularity. None
of the leaders of the Democracy have
more signally won the conf
dence of the people in his
honesty and fidelity. His admins
tration has been Endorsed by every
organ of the Democracy in the highest
terms of commentator, and, compared
with the previous regime, gains
lustre that can but be fattering to the
gallant chief who redeemed the State
from the control of the Republican
minority. Aside from a shining
record on the field of war-and that is
a potent influence with the thousands
who remember and delight to honor
their valorous heroes-Gov. Bate
can point with equal pride
10 his achievements in times
OF peace. The States affairs have
been managed with ability and accord
ing to the strictest rule of business
principles. He could turn over. to-
day, a clean set of books, backed by
full treasury. His closest attention
has been devoted to the interests con-
tded to him. Every matter presented
10 him, however trivial, has received
his careful consideration, although
such attention TO detail has involved
arduous work and confinement far
beyond that accepted by previous Ex-
ecutives. He was presented to the
Democratic voters as a man Of honesty
and ability; his first administration
has notably sustained this claim. In
his present canvass, he can point to an
unimpeachable record, a term Of faith
full service TO the people-tEe strong
est argument for their suffrages. The
State press has teemed with praises of
his administration and of himself per
sonally. Such a unanimity among
the Democracy points to his re-elec-
ton by an even larger majority than
that with which he was honored when
he first received the highest Office
within the gift of the people of Ten
nessee.
The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1884-08-27
A Signal Failure and a Burden.
Shelbyville Gazette


This enterprising journal is red-hot
against commission for the regula-
ton of railways. 1t is red-hot for the
Hon. 7. B. Ivie for Congress, who was
the red-hottest man in the last Legis-
lature for railway regulation. How is
this ?-World.
The Gazette favored railway COM
mission when it believed that it could
DO the people some good. The ex-
pertinent has been tried, and has, we
believe, been a signal failure, and has
so far been declared an unconstitu-
tional body by the courts. Instead of
giving any relief to the people, it i'm
poses a burden of $4,000 per year on
the people to pay for their existence,
and not a cents benefit that we have
ever heard of. We were willing to
try the experiment in hopes it might
accomplished good, but since it has
failed we want to wipe it out and stop
the expense to the people, at least
until the court OF last resort gives its
opinion on the subject.
Then, if there is way by which
Commission can accomplish some
good to others than themselves, we
are for it, but we don't want Savage
at the head under any kind OF cir
cumstances, because that would mean
another failure and an expense to the
State, judging the future by the past.
AS to the Gazette being for Hon. T. B.
Ivie for Congress, the World certainly
states fact. We recognized his emf
nent fitness for the place and support
ed him with all the power and influ-
ence we had. We will do the same
thing again whenever the Major seeks
the nomination of his party for Con-
gress.
The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1884-08-27
Unwise and ImpraotioabIe.

A great deal has been said, pro and
con, about railroad commissions. It
strikes us that if the State proposes to
run the railroads, they should, in JUS
tice to all concerned, buy them, and
then operate them as they see proper.
The establishment of railroad COM
mission, oftentimes, is mere device
to create offices, in which some OF the
party's faithful servants may find their
reward. Wherever railroad commits
sions have been tried they have proven
an injury to the State. In every other
department Of business we trust to
competition for protection, and there
is no good reason why, in this matter,
we should not look to the same agency.
Railroad commissions are unwise and
impracticable, and the sooner we dis
pense with them the better.
The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1884-08-27
Down with railroad Commissions.
Gallatin Examiner.


The Nashville World, for thirty days
after the meeting of the State Con-
vention, very wisely held its tongue
upon the subject of Railway Commits
sioners. This was more than the
would-be Commissioners could stand.
Mr.. Gordon thereupon started for
Nashville, and Simultaneous with his
arrival, the World began its former
rawlings.
We have said repeatedly, and now
again affirm the people are sick Of this
Railway Commission question. If
Savage, Gordon & Co. must have
offices, in heavens name give them
something not so expensive and dam
aging to the State.
We want more railroads. Sumner
County is interested to the extent of
three hundred thousand dollars in an
uncompleted road, which, but for this
miserable commission, would now be
running its trains.
We are sick, very sick, of this Rail-
way Commission.
The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1884-08-27
Retards Railroad Building.

But three States have mandatory
commissions---Illinois, Alabama and
Georgia. In Illinois the railroads
were built largely by grants of State
lands, and it is provision of their
State Constitution that the net earn
ings of these railroads shall not ex-
coed s per cent of the capital stock.
Whenever they do the rates must be
reduced, and their mandatory State
Commission is organized to carry out
this provision. Its mandatory power
extends no further. The mandatory
commission of Alabama, in their re-
port, stated that they saw no case of
special Importance requiring their in
reference.
In Georgia the State sold to the
Seney syndicate the road from Macon
to Brunswick, on condition that this
syndicate would build a road from
Chattanooga to Macon. This they are
doing, and it has nearly bankrupted
the syndicate. This is the much
boosted railroad building that is going
on under the mandatory commission
in Georgia, and is all that is going on.
In Tennessee Democracy sat down on
a mandatory commission. Scarce was
the ink dry that wrote the plank
when Eastern capitalists took $780,
600 stock in the Green River Road of
this State, and it is now an estab lished
fact.
A mandatory Railroad Commission
Is one that has power to establish
charges for freight and tray ell as they
see fit. Col. Savage says a mandatory
commission has a right to make rail-
roads carry passengers at one half
cent a mile if they SO decree. 1t ig-
nores charter rights.
The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1884-08-27
GEN. BASIL DUKE.
A Personal Card Explaining His Visit
to Tennessee.
To the American

to Tennessee.
To the American:
NASHVILLE, Aug. 16.-In your issue of yes
terday find letter written from Franklin,
which contains an account Of my visit to that
place, and my course while there so inaccu-
rate and unjust that am unwilling to let it
go uncontradicted.
IL is with extreme reluctance that l make
this publication-for newspaper controversy
and the notorietY It entails is in no wise agree
able to me, and only strong conviction that
ought not to suffer Misrepresentation al
ready done, or, by silence now, invite its rep
etition, induces me TO notice and correct your
correspondents statements. That which he
has written, and the comments made upon it
by a daily paper published in this city, have
given my presence in Tennessee publicity
neither coveted nor deserved, and place upon
my conduct here a construction as unwar-
ranted as it is offensive.
Your correspondent says: "a distinguished
visitor was in town last Friday, the day fol-
lowing the election. in the person of Gen.
Basil W. Duke, of Louisville. Ky, the Legisla-
tive Attorney for the ELLEN M Railroad
He interviewed several of our citizens aud
made no concealment OF his business-that
of getting up election figures and statistics of
this and former elections, the vote of each
civil district, learning the feeling. etc, the
strength Of che independent or disShected
vote, and various and sundry matters Of in
terest One of our prominent citi-
gems, with whom he discussed matters, told
him frankly he had better go along back
home and remain there, and the people OF
Tennessee were amply able TO take care Of
themselves without the aid OF foreign corpo-
rations, and that any intermeddling with To-
cal politics would be regarded with distrust
and suspicion 10 say the least
The party who penned the passage have
quoted was evidently resolved, while engaged
in the task of traduction, TO allow himself
the largest latitude and make his work COM
pendious and elaborate. said and did moth
ing during my brief stay in Franklin which
would Justify any part assigned me by this
imaginative writer, except that was desir-
Gus Of learning and sought 10 ascertain the
The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1884-08-27
sinecures-omoes without Duties
Favetteyille Observer.


The Railroad Commissioners are
without any commission to execute,
and they have nothing about them
now that looks official except drawing
their salary-this is their only official
act. The courts have decided the law
which created these offices unconstitu-
tional, and the people who know any
thing about them and the duties which
they were to perform are satisfied that
the business of the railroads could not
be carried on by men who did not
know the difference between the
driving-wheel and the steam chest.
Each of the political parties in Ten
nessee has nominated three men for
Railroad Commissioners, and we are
sure not one Democrat in ten can name