Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-10-03

did not believe the railroads
would ruin the people II the people did
not ruin the railroads. Mr.. Hines closed
his remarks by a reference to the great
advantage of the railroads to the CON-
munity and to the cheapness of railroad
transportation IN comparison with that OF
wagons and stages.
Mr.. Berner said that he was unquali-
hedly against the bill. He had inVesti-
gated the matter fairly. fully and without
prejudice.
WOULD RUIN THE COMMISSION LAW.
Without prejudice he had investigated
the subject, and he had reached a conclu-
sion even before the end of the last ses-
sion that if the bill was passed it would
rum the commission law that has been a
blessing to the people OF the State. To
break down the commission is to break
the constitution. You may smile, but
you cannot smile down your conscience
and the oath that is upon it. The constl-
tuition Is holy writ to member, and
he takes his text from IL. Mr.. Berner
proceeded in his argument on the Op-
presslVe rates that existed before the
constitution was adopted. The makers of
the constitution found Determinations
fierce and rabid. They found extortiou
and oppression in the making of the
rates, and what did they do? They took
from the railroads the power to regulate
rates and vested it forever in the Gen
eral Assembly.
RUSHING IN PETITIONS.
Mr.. FELTON, secured the floor and sent
up petition of 90 names from Carriers
Vile protesting against the passage of the
bill.
Mr.. Fite sent up petition of 70 names
favOring it.
Mr.. FELTON, said that his petition was
written, and that Mr.. Fite's was printed,
just as 500 others had been that were sent
up from various parts of the State. The
doctor charged that there was proof
positive that the printed petition to which
the signatures were attached had been
gotten up by the railroad corporations OF
the State and circulated by railroad
agents, railroad lobbyists and railroad
defenders and employees for the purpose of
defeating legislation against the grasp
ing, crushing policy of the railroads.
MR.. FLYNT PROTESTS.
Mr.. Flynt arose to a question of per-
sonal privilege and said that his petition
for the passage Of the bill had been signed
by about 400 of the best citizens of Spald-
Ing county and the name Of a railroad
agent does not appear upon it. He said
that it was simply the Outburst of the
tice that the railroads suffer.
Mr.. Felton-Is that petition printed!
Mr.. Flynt-It is like the others.
At this there was great cheering and
immense excitement, but it was hard
matter to tell exactly what 1t was all
about.
MIR. FeltOn's friends cheered him, and
Mr.. Flynt's cheered him, and there was a
general uprOar.
PROTESTING FRIENDSHIP.
Mr.. FELTON, proceeded, protesting that
he was friend Of the railroads and desired
to see them multiply and prosper. Pend
ing his remarks the hour of adjournment
arrived and he suspended hls speech
House met at O'Clock, Mr.. FELTON, re-
sumed his argument, which lasted for
two hours. He said that he was against
any amendment that sought to
improve the bill because he wanted to kill
the measure. He said that the railroads
ought to be satisfied with the commission.
According to his understanding it was
their work. Judge Reese Of Washington,
drafted the bill, and Gov. Mcdaniel, then
ex-member Of the General Assembly, in
trOduced it. 1t was his understanding
that it was adopted with the cordial ap-
proval and Endorsement OF Gov. Brown
and Gen. LawtOn.
REPUDIATED BY MR.. GORDON.
Mr.. Gordon arose and said: / desire
not TO speak for myself, but for Gen.
LawtOn, to repudiate the statement made
by the gentleman utterly and entirely.
Mr.. FELTON, responded: Very well.
think | have good personal authority for
the statement that he approved, or rather
yielded, his consent.
Mr.. Gordon--That Is exactly what |
desire to say is not so.
Mr.. Felton--Very well, wanted to be
correct ed If was wrong.
Mr.. FELTON, said the question was, who
should govern Georgia, the railroads or
the people? He stated that the oppres-
sion by the roads was like starving the
OK that treads out the grain, while the ia
vored few were surfeited on the profit Of
the threshing floor.
THE MODERN COLOSSUS.
He spoke at some length of the enorm-
Gus aggregation of wealth invested in the
railroads and said that It threatens con-
stitutional liberty. He spoke also Of the
growing power OF the railroads, and said
that the railroads were the modern col
Osuss. The modern chartered mOnopo-
lists absolutely straddle the United States
OF America and every ship and
every bit OF commerce, and all trade. and
Ali iaJOIs anu All kDNtEhiHeUt UUusL blAN-
ishly and humbly pass under and between
the straddle of this modern colossus.
Laughter and applause. The watch
word OF the roads is consolidation. They
are against competition.
YoR MR.. GoRDON's BENEFIT.
/ will show my friend from Chatham
(Mr. Gordon that the syndicate Of which
he Is a member (the Central railroad is
afraid Of competition, and that 20 that
syndicate the very suggestion OF cOmpe-
tition has always had the same effect as a
red flag shaken in the arena at "A Spanish
bull fight. You just mention competition,
you just suggest competition, and the
Central, with lowered head. tail up in the
ar, and with below that would shake
the woods OF Bashal, rushes TO the con-
test.
FEEDERS ALL THEY WANT.
He charged thstthe trunk lines Of Geor-
gia did not desire any more roads to be
built except as feeders. He spoke OF the
organization known as the Railroad
Sharehoders' Association, Of which Gen.
Alexander Is President. This ASSOCIATION
has 100000 stock. and they call upon
the members 10 make daily, month
ly or annual contributions, accord
ing 20 the necessities OF
the occasion. Their primary object is 20
prevent legislation uufriendly to the rail-
road interests. Their object, as they state
it, Is TO influence the executive, legislative
and judicial deDartmeuts OF every State