The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-07-31
RAILWAYS AND THE PRIZE
FIGHT.
IN. 0. PicaYune.l

We have been curious to see vi hat
writers and thinkers wholly dev5 ted
to railway interests, and looking at
matters from their particular poll It of
view, would have to say upon the act
of the Northeastern Railroad in Hing
and abetting the recent unlawful inva-
sion of the State of Mississippi by a
horde of prize fighters. The plea, as
1t was reported, which was urged by
the railroad, that being a common car
rier it could not properly refuse any
business offered, aud had no right to
question the moral character of its Gus
toners, may seem proper enough to
those whose morality is purely COM
mercal commodity. There are con-
siderations, however, that are not so
easily satisfied. There are railway
men who are not so blinded by per-
sonal or professional interest but that
they can see the rights and wrongs Of
acts, and as representative of this
class we find the New York Railroad
Gasette. 1t expresses itself very
strongly against the plea of the North
eastern in the premises, and we print
it at some length as timely express
sion upon an important subject. Says
the Gugette:
A superintendent or general passenge,
agent who has a bnrning desire for bust
ness, and does not particularly object to
prize fights, probably has little difficulty
III any cafe in adapting his theory to his
practice. As q common carrier he must
transport all persons who apply aud ten.
der payment; to refuse them he would lay
himself liable to prosecution; 70 inquire
closely concerning passengers business OF
motives would be impertinent and nnwar
ganted. On the other hand, one who
clearly saw the disgrace involved i'll deal
ings with plug uglies and gamblers, ant
who was DESTROYS of frustrating theil
plans as much as possible, even at the ex
pense of some revenue Chat would b'
Iost) could doubtless readily find ways tt
put his wishes into effect, It is said tina
| the officers Of the law, when they asked
| for a special train to pursue the criminals
were met with the statement that TIL
| equipment was all engaged. The RAILROAD
| officer who made this plea could no doub
have arranged without much trouble tx
make the same excuse to the law break
crs. In deciding on the rightfulncss o
one or the other of the two courses above
outlined Il judge often has to be guided
substantially by the standard of the Dutcl
justice, who settled the melon stealer'
ease by telling him lin the absence o
conclusive evidence.) II decide that vol
are guilty because it is SO mnch lik'
yon" However much we may laugh a
the crndity of the law in this case, w
must all admit that the principle gener
ally furthers the ends of justice. As 70
railroads, the Mississippi case is only
pronounced example OF Il very common
state of affairs. IIorse-racing tracks o
the vilest character are encouraged, lin
directly it may beg, in more than one cas-
by railroads nominally law-abiding.-
Sunday excursions patronized chiefly b,
roughs who conduct base ball games of
character condemned by all decent peopl
are morally the same as prize fights il
kind though not in degree. While a
agent of an impersonal corporation and a
Il reputable citizen a man may claim t
be actnated by contrary theories, it j
pretty contemplate business for him no
to let it be clearly known which of tn
theories he would prefer to follow AM
all court decisions of the higher class viz
| tually demand this standard of conduct
What is the United States regulation re
quiring railroads not to transport empt,
| casks Oh which are uncanceled revenu
stamps, but requirement that officer
and agents actively support the govern
ueut i'll REFRESHING frauds upon the reve
nuea Why do SO many roads instruc
conductors to suppress gambling OF
trains ? Simply because it is necessary il
order to meet the sentiment of the rcspec
table passengers. 1t would be easy t.
take the opposite position and say tina
evidence to convict could not be obtain
ed, but it is recognized that that woul
not pay. Railroads should be consistent
Merit Wins,