The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1890-02-20

another tn'Dg tnat seems strange
to the people. They claim that they
could not bc affected by a railroad
commission. and the " x W and
r Il q roads are among the number.
They claim that in their charter
they are allowed to charge 50 much
per mile per huodred weight for
freight, and 50 much per mile for
each passenger, and that they are
now charging a good deal less than
the maximum charge allowed.
They claim that this right to charge
up to the maximum fixed in the
charters is a contract with the
state. and is vested right and
cannot be violated by the state
without coming in conflict with that
clause of the constitution Of the
United States which forbids any
state to pass any laws violating
contracts.
Therefore, they say they can
charge what they please for freight
and passengers up to the maximum
fixed ia the charter, without let or
hindrance from the state or any
other power except theiI own Will
and pleasure.
If this be so. why should they
fear or oppose a railroad commits
sion? If they are out of reach Of
the law, above the jurisdiction of
the state, beyond the interference
of commission, why should they
oppose the appointment Of a com
mission, and call together their
clans by building t0rch-lights on
the mountains and in the valleys at
the assembling Of each legislature!
Why are they all present during
the sitting Of he legislature?
l admit that there is SOTne doubt
as to whether or not the legislature
can compel these roads to work for
tle public for reasonable pay, but
that doubt is as thin as vapor and
as transparent as glass. 1t is so
shalOwy that these roads have long
since determined to never allow it
tested in the courts, if they can
possibly avoid it; and 50 they have
always made a common fight
against a railroad commission,
All the other roads use the argu-
ment that it would be unjust to
them to fix their charges while
these favored corporations could
charge what they please for their
services. But Strangest Of all,
these nOn-lavored corporations
employ the ablest lawyers IN the
state to go before the committees of
the legislature to plead the eXemp-
ton and convince the members that
these other corporations are beyond
their reach and can charge what
they please; and, therefore, they too
! though not granted that right in
their charters, ought to be allowed
to do the same.
These corporations rot only
pursue this course, but they employ
the best legal talent in the state to
write legal arguments for publica>
ton in the papers to educate the
people their way and bring them
over.
[ have no quarrel with the roads
They are simply attending to theil
own business. | have no Quarre
with the lawy yers they are attend
inc T. their own business also,
Now, LEI the people be as iealon.
of their rights, as earnest in looking
after them and as desperate il
maintaining them as the attorneys
are.
Take care Of your wives anC
children as they DO. See to it tha
YOU are not deceived and misleC
against your own interest in favo
of these corporations. It'you were
III the place of these railroad king:
and their attorneys, l am very sur'
YOU would do as they do.
Human nature is the same th'
world over. There is such thin.
as educated human nature; bu
with the same surroundings anC
the same training none Of Us wOul,
be very much unlike other men
| Our wrongs may not be as great a
we imagine them to be, The rail
road authorities may not be s
mach wroog, after all, If the pee
pie want a railroad commission
and thilk they ought to have il
, and | think the roads ought I
} desire Z, le: thlm command til
. next legislature to give 1t TO til Il
, Don't nominate any man who IS nc
>