The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-02-26
TOGIyE FREE PASSES TOJUDGEs.

TO GIVE FREE PASSES TOJUDGES.
For cneap demagoguey commend
Us to certain members Of the present
Legislature; and for the most fragrant
Inconsistencies some Of the measures
proposed can not be discounted. A
great racket has been raised about
State officials, Judges, Legislators and
others using free passes on the rail-
roads and a bill was no sooner en-
acted into Law prohibiting it, than an
other is proposed compelling the rail-
roads to give passes to all State officers
and Judges. But common sense pre-
vailed, and the SCENE didn't work.
Instead small allowance extra has
been voted the Circuit Judges by way
Of helping to defray their expenses in
cured in travelling over the State in
the discharge of their duties. This by
way Of Introductory to the following
extract from the State CH10niflrs re-
port of the Legislative proceedings:
Mr.. Bellamy's bill requiring rail
roads to furnish passes to Judges and
State officers upon application Of Sec
rotary Of State, was taken up.
Mr.. Bellamy said: We are all agreed
that the free pass system is not popu-
lar and must be abolished. Since the
Constitution Of 1868, the Legislature
can modify charters. My bill will not
allow an officer to receive passes by
courtesy but by right. This bill
amends all charters of railroads since
1868, and he knew that the Coast
Line system, if it accepts anything at
the hands of this Legislature, it will
amend its charter. The question has
arisen if we can pay our officers enough
now to compensate them. The Rail
road Commission bill prohibits officers
from travelling on a free pass. This
bill meets the situation, and saves a
large annual sum to the Treasury.
This is a solution of the free pass sys-
tenn, the only solution, and gives it to
officers as a matter of right. 1t re-
moves all bias from the system. am
informed that the railroads of North
Carolina will acquiesce in this.
Mr.. Williams never thought our
Judges could be corrupted by free
passes. When railroads want to bride
men they pay the hard cash. He
never thought 1t wrong for an officer
to receive pass. [ don't believe that
We have any right to compel railroads
to carry any man. Mr.. Bellamy in
terrupted him and said that since 1868
we can amend all railroad contracts
and the railroads owe gratitude to the
State for liberal charters, and there is
no wrong in making this requirement.
He did not believe that they corrupted
but the tendency was to influence the
holder Mr.. Williams continued and
said that we could not apply this act
to the Raleigh & CASTOR, Wilmington
& Weldon and the North Carolina
Railroads.
Mr.. Aycock said that railroads often
gave passes not intending to influence:
but they had that effect In one
county that | know, the Clerk, Sheriff.
Register of Deeds and Treasurer hold
passes, and in that county man who
had case for damage to stock could
not have his case heard for some time
do not say that the passes had any
thing to do with this result, but some
people thought SO. The people desire
to prohibit passes. He favored requir-
ing passes tor the Judges and State
officers, but it not to apply to legisla
tors. The railroads would not be in
Dured, and it would te merely continu
ing system by right which is now
done by courtesy.
| MIR. Lucas opposed the whole bill
from principle. We cannot forbid
tree passes and make a great hue and
cry about 1t, and then by Legislation
attempt to compel railroads to give
public officers free pass. l have al
ways taken free passes when Offered
me, and if thought my people be
lleved | would sell out for free pas:
| would resign and go home. All thi:
tree pass business is cheap clap trap by
which cross road politicians get into
offices they are not competent to fill
The people do not want such legisla
ton If a railroad can buy you with
a free pass, S bill will get you a:
| qulck or quicker. God forbid that VT
| should ever have men who would sci
out for pass or anything else. If we
are going to do away with free passes
let us make every officer pay his way
| on the railroads. | am opposed te
fall such little picayune legislation.
| a gentleman takes pass, he will mo-
| abuse it, but if he is dirty puppy he
will abuse it.
i ,