The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1884-07-02
TIE RAILROADS AND TIE F4RaE
NO. Ill.
NRMppoonnrr.3 TEunzn[...- II Luune,Y s6 rs

To this Editor OF Tho BTorristown Gazette:
+ Ph;eton's ambition may have been ex-
allied in its nature, as well as daring i II
conception. but he paid dearly for bis
folly. so runs the legend. The ambi-
ton Of the young Democracy" to seize
| the reins Of the party, may be. natural
and may be stimulated by laudable me-
'tfves, but the fate Of Phatos has mor-
al, that may be studied to. advantage.
1t is not to be inferred that the world
will be set en- fire." but untimely polit-
icaf death might ensue. Paradoxical
as il may seem none crate more Justify
the beausts and teaching of pure i'm
| adulterated Jeffersenian7 g Democracy
than the gushing orators eflour new
born eYely-day,Geparture Democracy.
These political icOnOclasts lack
only Ssmson's strength to pull over the
Temple which jefferson Contributed so
largely To build. In reading the life
and character of that great apostle of
Democracy, we are taught ne one Fe-
garded vested right" more soundly.
as great master Of politics the author Of
the celebration of rights would hard
~ have, soscribed or advocated the 4th
plank in the platform OF the party pro-
mulgated at Nashville on the 18th June.
y If party platforms are made in these.
latter days as devices by which "yotss
are caught" the platform of Jule 1sah
is certainly entitled to the novel dis
tinction of having been made "te lose"
them. In all seriousness, what pos.ibss
ibeneflt can accrue to Democracy in the
coming campaign by thrustinge forward
an issue of railroad management. j If
allowances exist they are not to be right
ed upon the STUMP" but in the halls,
of the legislation, or in the courts Of
Justice The farmers who are Dems-
7 Gratis have no greaterinterests in thrust
iing71 such an issue into politics than
! have the farmers who are Republicans
Legislation with reference to, the roads
cannot and should not be in the nature
of partisan legislation. Hence the FOL ]
ly OF inserting in Il party platform .
plank insisting upon the establishment
of railroad c6tnmissieh.g cThsl I'm
7guage' of the plank inl question implies
frem its very reading, 4 the existence
Of SEINE influence or power Presumably
hes lie to the roads, and to the .peo
pie. It's language is In substance. /" lo
protect the rights Of the roads, on the 4
one hand, and the rights Of the people 4
on the lother2E Every ono kno VS. ihsre
is no such Influence or power 10 axis
tence, but that the real motive on the
part Of the majority of the conventien,
In adopting this plank. was nothing 4
more or less than the continuation of 4
commission board for the imanagement
and eontrsI efthei roads = so darFas the |
rights eff the ! sadsa are lcohcepas,II all |
know they, ars Amply d protested by fhed
courts. So far as the, rights Of The peo-
pie are concerned, growing out of any
question between z IndfvidaaIs and the,
roads, their rights are seduoosiy gtiard-i
ed and protect sdGby the courts I sThey 4
afford sremedy for every ~reng. The /
plank in the platform providing sfori oE4
rather insisting upon, ,eemmissioa to Il
govern, regulate and control the man
agetnent Of the ROADS, viii naturally ',r-
taign against IL the cotnbi6eds p6 ser
aud infiusneo of tifs' oofnpaaiesS and
their power isnotato be dsspise6s sThered ]
are many farmers who are stock shelf-
ers. Theirs sie thousands, Of, farmsrs
who are unwilling 70 sse the precedent
established IN this country of a wanton
INVASION bf thsfiehts Of property, simr-
ly Bceadseo saohs fnvasioa xtsa y be the
means efsadyancipgs the ehds.ofo psIilisdl
calpaBlisss Itista say the leasief III ami
stbipgffor the pasty .dthat
this plank; MAS inserted in the PLATFORM h
Criticism of public measures is right
belonging 20 any man, whethnr within |
or without 4 party II blundefs are \
male, othey shssld be pointed out. ana
however great may be the Dispositions
Of many ( apply the parry lash, and To-
read the political riot act. to hose
who disagree with certain measures adj
Vanced, II Il the duty, a. well a. the