Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-30
THE SOUTH PENN ENTERPRISE.

Pattison has given our contemporaries, the
Delamater organs. a lesson on the way in
which an upright candidate can meet
charges against his record in public affairs,
and leaves the onus decidedly on them of
producing even an excuse for the publica-
ton of such manufactured campaign stuff
Since the South Penn matter has been
brought up. however, there is another very
interesting phase Of the subject presented,
at the same time, by the confirmation of the
reports that the Vanderbilt interest had in
creased its holdings in the Reading road,
and the revival of the old story that it will
now resume the South Penn enterprise and
open up that connection between the Read
ing lines and the Vanderbilt roads in this
city.
That story has appeared, in various shapes
and guises, so frequently before, that it does
not afford much basis for very solid expecta-
tions at present; but the history of the
whole matter leaves certain things as beyond
dispute. First among these is that the Van
derbilt interests both in the Reading and
about this city would be immensely en-
~
line that connects them. The history of the
corporate deal by which in contraventIon of
good faith and in violation of the Constitu-
tion that enterprise was smothered, and of
the vigorous measures by which Governor
Pattison and Attorney General Cassiday
brought that deal to halt until the end of
their administration is familiar to our peo-
pie. During the succeeding four years, how
ever, it has gradually dawned upon the public
that the prohibition of the Constitution and
the mandate of the courts was being quietly
ignored, until within the last year, in inter-
views on this subject, representatives of the
Pennsylvania Railroad did not think it
worth while to co sceal their understanding
that their corporation had control of the
South Penn in defiance of courts and Con-
stitution alike. If that is the case, the Van
derbilts cannot extend the Reading to Pitts
burg without building a new line, which
would be quite different matter than finish
ing lire of which the roadway was nearly
all built.
With regard to the connection of this
matter with the present political contest
people who recognize the public interest in
the South Penn and the public right to
have it built, will have no difficulty in per-
celving that one of two things must be true.
Either the Vanderbilts have retained control
of the South Penn, in which case 1t will be
built, and the State will have to thank for
that benefit the vigor and independence of
Robert z. Pattison in stopping that cor
porate deal; or the transfer of control has
been made 10 the Pennsylvania Railroad in
wanton defiance of all law, which must be
charged to the subservience of the Repub-
hcan administration in looking the other
way while the great corporations coolly
trampled under foot their legal restrictions.
In either case the course indicated to peo-
pie who wish the State Government ad-
ministered independently and for the in
terest of the people is made equally clear.
In Robert E. Pattison they can have an
executive who stands on the platform
created by mis- acts, that the Constitution
and the laws must be enforced against the
richest and greatest as well as against the
humblest. In his opponent they have
candidate who represents the practical
political idea that the Constitution need not
istence, where it conflicts with the interest
of great corporations or influential candi-
dates.
Pittsburg and Western Pennsylvania have
a direct interest in the building of new
and competing line to the East; bu. the
whole State has far greater interest in the
maintenance OF the principle that its iunda-
mental law is supreme over all classes. A
instance of the way in which the
violation of this principle can spread hard
ship to all classes is afforded in this city at
present. Many important streets in the
residence wards of the city which were
graded for paving this year, are to be left un-
paved for the winter because the contractors
could not get cars to haul the paving stones
here. A good share of the people of Pitts
burg must wade in the mud this winter and
undergo great difficulty in getting neces-
saries OF life delivered at their houses be-
cause the railway facilities of PENNSYLVANIA
are inadequate; and the railway facilities are
inadequate because the principle vindicated
by Gov. Pattison's administration, that
the Constitution is supreme over the copora-
tions, has been ignored and abandoned by
the succeeding Republican administration
The South Penn affair from beginning to
end shows the need of such men as Pattison,
be they Democrat or Republican, in the ad-
oil the State Government. Had
be remained Governor four years longer,
there is no hazard in saying that the South
Penn road would have been in running
operation to-day.
The thoughtfulness of Mr.. Phillips, the |
candidate in the Twenty-fifth |