Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1885-02-10
0he Canfastcr 1ntclliee,lfes
LANCASTER, FEBRUARY 10. 1885.
Friendly Queries Of a Senator.

y SeIidtOT w uiidtc IpoiiPtis "ii'Nn w '''N
Philadelphia Record, that the bill he has
introduced into the Senate embodies three
sections Of the seventeenth article OF the
constitution, and provides penalties for
their infraction, leaving to the courts to
say what they mean.
The senator further says that the Beech
Greek. Clearfield and South Western rail-
road comp ny, is not yet finished, but is
still in the hands of its contractor, and en-
tirely under his control by the terms of
the contract so that its president could not
control in any manner the locking Of the
connecting switch with the Pennsylvania
railroad, for which the Record criticised
him, and that in fact he knew nothing of
it.
Since this railroad of which Senator Wal
lace is president, is wholly under the control
of General Magee, the contractor, as
Senator Wallace states, the senator as its
president cannot he held responsible for
the contractors acts. But as the road
is now finished and running to
Philipsburg we assume that this section of
it, at least, will soon be turned over to the
company's management and in contem-
plation of that we would like to under
stand from Senator Wallace whether the
policy of tho road will continue to be to
continue to carry coal only for the Clear
field bituminous coal company, which is its
alter ego. The senator does not deny to the
Record that this is General Magee's
policy in running the railroad, as the
Record charges. Are we to under
stand that this is done by Cen
eral Ma ee of his own motion and
contrary to the desire of the managers of
the Beech Creek, Cleartield and South
western railroad company And does
Senator Wallace consider that the separa-
ton of the Clearfield Bituminous coal COM
pany--we believe that is the name of the
coal company organized by him-from the
Beech Creek, Clearfeld and South West
ern railroad company, is sufficiently
distinct to avoid the constitutional
inhibition, found in the fifth sec
ton of the seventeenth article, upon
common carriers, to prosecute or engage
in mining and manufacturing articles for
ONtl ITO NblhS Hbl
such company, directly or indirectly, en-
gage in any other business than that of
common carriers, or hold or acquire lands,
freehold or leasehold, directly or indirectly,
except such as shall be necessary for carry
ing on its business"
We put these queries to Senator Wallace
in a friendly spirit. 1t is an act of true
friendship to public man to point out to
him in what particulars he may advan-
ia eously uncover himself to the public.
Senator Wallace writes to the Record in an
injured tone, which we do not think was
justified by the Records criticism. 1t was
much better for him, and much more kind
ly to him, to tell him publicly in what man-
ner he is being criticised than talk as others
do behind his back. The Record
surely had no reason to suppose that
General Magee was running the Beech
Creek railroad on his own hook. 1t is very
remarkable in fact that it is so left in his
hands. And in view of his unlawful
managemC mt Of it, it is certainly opportune
to inquire whether his policy has the APP
proval Of the owners, and will be followed
by them when they come into posses
sion. This We frankly ask of Sena-
tor Wallace, the president. General
Magee refuses to carry coal for indivd-
ual operators. He or his company will
buy the miners coal, but will not ship it
for him. This is certainly the position of
the Beech Creek railroad company under
General Magee, as it is represented to us
by the Clearfeld miners. 1t is a wrong
position, and a lawless one we believe.
Does Senator Wallace think otherwise and
will President Wallace act otherwise