The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-03-26
SUPERVISION.

We have seen since the Supervision
bill became law, various and manifold
criticisms on the question. Fairly put,
"the right to supervise corporations OF
every description" is part and parcel
of the Democratic creed in Mississippi
It has been adopted and reiterated in
the State platform, and the people IN
the most unmistakable terms have de-
manded its exercise. If this PROPOSE
ton is controverted, We have only to
refer to the fact that the members
elected to the twolast Legislatures made
their canvasses mainly upon this issue
As to who moulded this sentiment is
not material 1t is enough to say that
our entire delegation in Congress, so far
as we are advised, favors supervision Of
railroads, and so declared in their sew
eral eanvasses. The Representatives in
the Legislature, fresh from the people,
so voted by an overwhelming majority.
A large majority of the press of the
State declared for the exercise of the
right by the late Legislature.
The Governor, while he felt called
upon, for reasons frankly stated, to veto
the first bill that was passed, declared
that the time had come for the Demo
cratic party to redeem their pledges re-
peatedly made, and that he stood ready
to give his official sanction to a fair
and equitable bill. The coordinate
branch of the government, after elabo-
rate and exhaustive arguments, for and
against, sustained the veto, when the
friends of the measure proposed another
bill, greatly condensed, with the features
objected to by the Governor omitted
or modified. This bill was approved
by the Executive and is now a law.
Then, plainly stated, the case stands
thus: We have supervision, and we
understand that the people desired and
demanded it. Some of our respected
confreres say that it is unconstitutional.
In reply to that, We submit that Hon.
Jno. w. C. Watson, one of the foremost
lawyers in Mississippi, declared on the
floor of the House of Representatives,
that in his opinion the bill vetoed by
the Governor was not violative of the
Constitution. In this view he was sup
ported by Hon. Joel ?. Walker, the
Senator from Lauderdale, Hon. Sam'l
Powell, the Senator from DeSoto, Hon.
Geo. G. billiard, from Noxubee, and
other able members of the legal profes-
sion in both branches of the Legislature. |
But it is fair to state, that there were
sections in the first bill about which |
able lawyers difered-many agreeing
with the Governor that it contained |
provisions violative of the fundamental |
law. Those sections which invited able |
discussion and different conclusions were |
left out of the second bill. Now, it is
alleged by some that the law is still sub
iect to Constitutional objections. Now,
then, if we are to have supervision"
without the over to supervise, the whole
thing must inevitably be failure.
We are not prepared to accept this
view. Time and again we have, through |
the columns of The CLARION, asserted |
that Supervision would correct evils
known to exist. We have, to the extent
Of our ability, endeavored to support this
declaration by facts and figures. We
hesitate not to give it as our deliberate
opinion that if the railroads meet the
Commission in good temper, and in
,air and conciliatory spirit, that sub
tantial benefits will result.
The people who support railroads and
,ear the burdens of government demand
he measure and ask for it fair trial.
We understood that the Attorney-G Gen
raj agrees with the Governor that the
aw is free from constitutional Objec-
ions, but thinks that some of its imma-
erial provisions cannot be enforced.
live the law fair trial, and all will be
Ontent