The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1884-08-27


the conclusion that railroad property
ought to be taken away from the own
ers- Can the Democratic party afford
to fail iRto it, even to get the votes O
people who are ignorant of the funda
mental principles OF property rights
Our noble leader, Grover Cleveland
was put to the test on this question
Here is what he said in vetoing the
five-cent fare elevated railroad bill:
This bill prohibits the collection or receip
\ OF more than five cents fare on any elevated
railroad in the city of New York for any dis
| lance between the Battery and Harlem River
and provides that If any person or corpora
ton operating such elevated railroads shall
| charge. demand, collect or receive any higher
/ rate of fare, such person or corporation shall
/ in addition TO all other penalties imposed by
| law, forfeit ana pay 70 any person aggrieved
| fifty dollars for each offense, 10 be recovered
by such person in any court OF competent
| Jurisdiction"
interest which ii has excited has impressed
me with my responsibility and led me to ex-
anime, with as much care as has been posi-
bic, the considerations involved. am con-
WINGED that In all eases the share which falls
upon the Executive regarding the legislation
of the State should be in no manner evaded,
fully-guarded and unbiased judgment. In
his conclusion he may err, but If he has
fairly and honestly acted, he has performed
his duty and given TO the people Of the State
his best endeavor.
by the sixth section of the act passed June
~, 1870, IL Is provided that the New York
ana receive from each passenger on its rail-
road not exceeding ten cents for any distance
of five miles OF less, and not exceeding two
cents for each additional mile or fractional
part thereof.
while the charters Of corporations may be
altered or repealed, il must be done in sub
ordination to the Constitution of the United
States, which is the supreme law of the land.
This leads 70 the conclusion that the alter
alton of q charter cannot be made the pre-
text for the passage of law which iapdirs
The obligation Of n contract.
II l am mistaken in suposing that there are
consideration which furnishes 70 my mind a
sufficient reason why should not give IL my
approval.
these fares at this time and under existing
circumstances involves a breach of faith on
the part of the State, and a betrayal OF conf
dence which the State has invited. " 1t
Is manifestly important that invested capital
should be protected, and that its necessity
and usefulness in the development of enter
prises valuable TO the people should be recog-
nized by conservative conduct on the part of
81 am not unmindful of the fact that this
bill originated in response 10 the demand of
a large portion of the people of New York for
cheaper rates of fare between their places of
and their homes. and realize
fully the desirability of securing to them all
other States teaches that we must keep with
in the limits Of law and good faith, lest in
the end we bring upon the very people whom
we seek to benefit and protect 2 hardship
are ignored
The Assembly by large majority
sustained this veto:
Commenting upon the veto, the
Memphis Appeal in a recent editorial
said:
ellis veto of the fve-cent fare bin was not
In the interest Of the street railroad monopo-
lies, but in the interest of the Constitution
which he had taken an oath TO support. His
veto, in the face OF the fact that Il would be
unpopular, was an act which will ultimately
secure for him the respect of the people, for,
however desirable IL may have been TO have
he elevated railroad fares reduced, and how
have been TO sign that bill his objections to
{ are unanswerAble. He believed the bill |
vas unconstitutional, and that his duty as
he Executive was not 10 sign it. He there
ore sacrificed whatever chance of popularity
vas offered, and held 70 the determination 10
10 his duty and stand by his convictions.
This is one of those acts which the clamor of |
which the abiding sense of the community |
Ooner or later is sure to indorse. The intelli- |
'ent workingman knows, in spite of political |
rhetoric, that the best safeguard he can have |
n public servant is integrity of purpose and |
he courage to Withstand the pressure of |
ested interests on the one hand and the idle |
lamor of a class on the other"
This endorsement must meet with |
he unqualified approval of every
,ood Democrat.
Under the laws of New York a
harter may be repealed or altered;
till, under this, Gov. Cleveland held
hat no such privilege could be taken
With chartered rights.
There is no power in our law to
tier or repeal charter, and hence
There rights are given in Tennessee
harter the case is stronger than in
Jew York.
The sentiment over the State seems
D be that we made a great mistake
n creating a commission under a
old law, which has cost us a great
cal OF money, and that COM
non prudence, outside of the
racticability of it, forbids the
pending of more money until the
upreme Court acts.
The delegation in the Legislature
rom this county will, no doubt, take
business view of the question, and,
nothing is to be made by commits
ion, they will oppose it, and save to
he State the large outlay of money
which restrained commission must
ring. 1t will be time enough to ere
tie commission when the ruling OF
he courts is changed so as to allow
!. We must abide by the decisions
f the courts until they are overturned
y higher courts, or we must over
urn them with shot-guns. This is
OF now proposed.