The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1890-09-04
HOW THINGS LOOK FROM
OUR STAND POINT.
The Opinion of The Editor and the
Opinion Of Others which we
Can Endorse on the Various
Topics Of the Day.
THE CAUCASIAN AND THE RAIL
ROAD COMMISSION.

Railroad Commission. Inc eOl-
tor OF that paper commences by
saying
"Being constant and apprecia-
tive reader of THE CAUCASIAN, Our
attention has been attracted by its
articles on the need for Railroad
Commission. We have read with
interest what our esteemed contem-
pOrary has had to say on the SUBJ
ject and we freely say that While
we have heard many gentlemen say
they wanted such commission, and
while some of our exchanges have
so expressed themselves, we do not
remember to have seen in North
Carolina any presentation OF the
subject so satisfactory as that made
by THE CAUCASIAN. Instead Of
dealing i'll glittering generalities,
that paper has given some facts III
connection with the matter for its
readers to think about"
But our able contemporary
then goes on to say that he had
long since decided that it was
not best to pass q commission
and il still of the same opinion.
He supports his position, which
he desired to establish, as fol:
lows:
1st. That the State ought not to
interfere with the common right
which citizens have to manage their
| business, unless the rates are so un-
easonable as to be plainly oppressive
to the people.
2nd. That the State is already un-
der contract not to interfere with
this right with the great bulk OF the
roads, and therefore has no power
Of supervision and control.
3rd. That the freight rates are al
ready reasonably low.
| Now let us look at these
positions taken by the News and
Observer. Certainly the learn
ed editor is too good d lawyer
to fail to note the distinction
/ between the right which citi,
Zens have to manage private
property for prirate uses, and the
privilege, by sutference OF so
called private corporations tt
manage their property for pat6h
uses. The first great duty o.
the State is to protect its citi
zens and their interests. A cor
poration is an artificial person
The State creates it,and breathe
into it life, and clothes it witt
extraordinary powers for spe
cific purposes. Having don
s this, it is the duty of the Stat
j. to guard we'll that these extra
= ordinary powers are not used t
). the detriment of the citizens
|, the natural persons, or any pal
h of them, each one of whoI
IS stands helpless and alone in tn
l. l. face of discrimination, oppre
L. sion or injustice, save when an
l. as protected by the State. Th
- experience and wisdom Of tt
70 world so far has shown that th
III = can be accomplished
means of check-an equit
known as a commission, whiC
o' does not manage the business
corporations, save when the
mismanage it. The stateluel
of of that it is wrong for the State
manage the privately busine
er Of corporations, is more plaus
BILE than sound or tenable, VIII
we investigate how often t.
management of this private b
10" a siness so-called effects the in(
Ter viduals rights and public w
'ad fare.
~ The late President James
,.s. ,e Garfield in a great speech in t
est United States Congress advoc;
,de ing tie Inter State Commissi'
w. bill, which was passed and
me now in force, said:-
ust Under the name Of private c
run porations, organizations have gro
YES up, not for the perpetuation o
ooo great charity, like college or h
u pital; not to enable a company
Is citizens more conveniently to ca
ue- on private industry; but a class
corporations, unknown to the ca
law writers, has arisen and to tn
item have been committed the q
n 2" power of the railroad and the tt
in graph, the great instruments
which modern communities live
= have their being. Since the de
of history the great thoroughfi
have belonged to the people, h
JUS been known as the Kings highw;
r,tI I or the public highway, and h
nms % been open to the free use Of al
@ nnn payment of small uniform Ia
por p", toll to keep them in repair.
,deJ now the most perfect, and by
Ie by the most important roads know
I'd j. mankind, are owned and mans
I. c. las private property by compal