Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-06-02

/ torneys TO wage war upon the people
| OF Texas and their duly elected ana ep-
pointed officers. as was then done, they
viii. in my judgment. be simply pur-
suing a suicidal course. FOR II they
would but consider the situation, they
are, 80 to speak. left completely at
| the mercy OF the commission under the
decision Of the United States supreme
court, which we have been discuss
ing
"How is thls2"
"why. In the first place. let II be
noted that the whole OF this voluminous
law (here Mr.. BAH produced a copy OF
the law) with the exception Of these two
short sections 10 ard o. is. under the
late decision, good and valid ennct-
ment. and all the penalties therein pro-
vided against railroads for acts OF
omission as well as OF commission, in
violation OF the several provisions OF
said law. are enforceable. When they
procured the writ OF Injunction from
the federal Judge prohibiting the attor-
ney- general and the railroad commits
sion from prosecuting any railroad on
account OF It's violation OF the law,
they did so at their own peril OF having
the injunction dissolved by higher
court, and thus leaving themselves sub
ject to all the cumulative penalties
which they have Incurred on account OF
any and every violation Of the law by
them during the time the case has been
pending
IN the second place, you will notice
that all those portions Of the law
which, taken together. constitute the
legislatures grant Of power to the COM
mission including the power given II to
punish for contempt and to compel the
attendance of witnesses and the pro-
duction OF papers parapraph b, section
%, are all upheld by the supreme court.
a a ~. .I.a.W
grant OF power to the railroad commits
sion 90 use the expression 80 often
mOuthed by ante-commisson men In
the late campaign has been LETT un-
touched by this decision, and will
doubtless be exercised ON proper occa-
sion by the commission. j imagine that
such impudent eyasions as SO often oc-
cur In the answers OF some Of the rail-
roads TO requests Of the commission
for reports VIII no longer be tolerated
II the railroads resume their former
attitude OF aggressive hostility.
"But / can hardly believe that these
sensible and practical business men in
charge Of the different railroads in
Texas Will continue to throw obstacles
In the way OF the commission law.
III they VIII In good faith cooperate
with the state officials In the enforce
ment they will thereby obtain the good
viii of the people, aud II the law should
after n fair trial be found TO work an
Injustice to the roads ] think know
the people of this state wen enough to
be able to assert that they will them
selves promptly amend or II necessary,
repeal 1t.
Any sensible business man knows
that the state cannot afford to act uu-
Justly or oppreasively toward the rail-
roads, and that the interest OF the
people Hes In protecting them and fos-
terlng them, instead Of destroying
them. Let the railroads trust to this
sentiment instead OF nrraylng Them
selves against sovereign state and It's
pcUl lc and all Will be we'll with them:
but II tho stock and bond holders Of
these corporations, following the advice
OF a lot Of bruken-backed politicians.
throw down the guage Of battle to The
people OF Texas, they may as well
charge their Investments to profit and
loss account"
What effect do you think the de-
cision viii have upon the gubernatorlnl
81 do not believe 1t will have any an
nreclahle effect upon the race. II ia
concealed BY, all that Attorney
General Culberson has handled
THIS case In q mastery man
ner ana has fully discharged his
duty as attorney-geuera in the whole
matter, but l suppose II he should gain
any votes from one side he would
probably lose about tho same number
from the other side OF the commission
question.
"Volcing my own individual senu-
ments, I should have supported him for
governor II he had lost the case Just
as eheerfully as | do now. read his
ptlet and concluded then. and am now
OF the same opinion, that he was one
OF the ahlest lawyers In Texas. / be-
lieVc him to be q true patriot and feel
compelled TO support him for governor
against Judge Reagan. I especially ad-
mire his courteous ana chiynlrous
course IN voluntarily releasing Judge
Reagan from any Implied obiIgntion 20
Keep out OF the race. I think Rcngan
ought to reciprocato By withdrawlnr
"IoApJ sIq "