The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1894-12-18
NEW JERSEYS BITTER FIGHT.
Gen. Sewell's Political Aspirations
and Their Business Effects.
From, me Matl and Erpress, Dec, y. Iggl.

TRENTON, N j., Dec. IL Especial. THE
Pennsylvania Railroad Company is recog-
nized by Jerseymen as one of the most
enterprsing corporations chartered under
the laws of the state. Its readiness to
comply with and even anticipate the de-
mands of the travelling public stands out
in refreshing contrast to the conduct OF
other companies which are in constant
conflict with the state or one or more OF
the various municipalities.
A POPULAR MANAGEMENT.
Not only in Its general management is
the railroad popular, but in its detail
workings it has added immensely to the
general public favor which it enjoys
through the unfailing courtesy extended
to its patrons by its employees. In no
railroad are the minor employees more
considerable, and the heads of the various
departments with which the traveller and
shipper come in contact are always ready
to do their best to straighten out any tan
gle. So successful have these men been
that it is never difficult for Pennsylya-
MIA employee to obtain q position on al
other road generally at an advance, and this
fact is known and appreciated not only in
railway circles but by the general public
as well.
Ii mas been said often, and always with
more or less truth, that it would be one of
the most popular railroad companies in or
passing through New Jersey were it not
for the perniclous and oficious interior
ence of its agents and employees with the
politics of the state. Jerseymen like a
railroad service that has nothing mean,
small or antiquated about it, and on that
account they wonld be willing to give a
good, fair indulgence to the Pennsylvania,
and to grant most of its legislative re-
quests, but they draw the line at meddle
some dabbllng in the government of the
state.
GEN. sEwELL AND THE PENNSYLVANIA.
For years that company has been feel
ing more or less the results of an antago-
nism created by the political personal am
bition of Gen. William j. Sewell. 1t is
generally conceded to be necessary enough
for the company to have Gen. Sewell or
any one else it pleases at Trenton to pro-
tect its interests against the hungry horde
of strikers who invade the State House
year after year, but very large majority
of Jerseymen believe that the company
is unwise, to say the. least, IN permitting
its power and prestige to be used in con-
trolling conventions, debating nomina-
lions and in Selling the very reins of gov
eminent itself.
THE RAILROAD AS A CATsPAw.
Just Row General Sewell is engaged in
irving to make sure of his election to the
United States Senate. To accomplish that
he is using all the power of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad so far as it is within his
hands. At his direction the company's
employees fly hither and thither, coaxing,
threatening or promising. Free passes,
guarantees of Office and pledges of va
rious kinds are utilized. Gen. Sewell may
perhaps succeed, but where does that
leave the Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany7 His methods are antagonizing
the best elements of his own party, and
are regarded as being almost certain to
provoke a campaign of retaliation against
the company. The people cannot very
well get at Sewell personally, because he
takes good care not to run for Governor
or any other Office which would enable
the citizens of the commonwealth to say
deliberately what they think of him.
But they argue that harmless as Sewell
may be of himself great power for harm
comes from the backing of the great cor
poration, and that the only thing left for
the people is to strike at the corporation.
To be sure, this may strike some people
as illegal and unfair. They may say that
Sewel is using the power of his employ
ers unwarrantably, unjustifiaply, but the
populace will not reason the thing ont so
fine as that. They see Sewell directing
the corporate power of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company as if it we're his own,
in such way as to enable him to boss
the whole state and have himself elected
as one of that states representatives in
the United States Senate. Seeing this
done openly and boldly and in the face of
general protest they hold that the direct
ors of the company cannot plead igno-
rance and must accept the responsibility
THE VOTERS ARE sULLEN.
Here and there all over the state are
growing evidences of disposition to
make ready for vengeance on the Penn
sylvanIa Railroad Company in case Gen.
Sewell is permitted to carry to the end
the policy which be is now carrying out
in his endeavors to reach the Senate. The
movement seems to be spontaneous and
popular one. There are conservative pro-
fessIonal business men who are willing to
take the leadership and propagate what
they term "holy war; against corporate
aggressiveness. In the industrial centers
there has always been material to work
upon for such movement, and there is a
PLETHORA of it just now after the long
spell of hard times and the conduct OF
FfnSt ana corporation senators In Con-
gress Then in the agricultural districts
the auti-monopoly sentiment has been
growing steadily for years, and it needs
only a match to produce big blaze, as
the election returns of last month will
show to any student who cares TO analyze
them.
sEwELL's ELECTION MEANS REVOLT.
The election Of General Sewell to the
United States Senate will furnish the facts
for an agitation in favor of stringent re-
strictive legislation against railroad cor
porafions in general and against the Penn
syivania Railroad Company in particu-
lar. Once started, the men who propose
making the fight don't intend stopping
at Trenton Besides doing all they can
with the Legislature Of the state, they
propose carrying the war to Washington.
III snch propaganda gets fair Roadway it
is possible that the consequences may be
such as to wiring from the Pennsylvania
Railroad directors a concession TO the
effect that even United States Senator
ship may be bought at too high price.