The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-11-27
THE PURSE RAILROAD BILL.
An 1ll-considered and Untimely War
on Railroad Corporations.

80 NSeh%A~NeA0 WI feAtAeA1Aos
From the Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-sun.
The Enquirer-Sun has for years been of
the opinion that one cause of the dSpres-
sion in all classes of business and indus
try in Georgia is due, in no small measure,
to the harrassed and complicated condi-
ton in which almost the entire railway
system Of the state has been involved.
Practically every railroad in the state IS
in the control of the federal courts. and
in the custody of receivers. To this con
diuon many causes. of course. have CON
tributed, but one of the most harmful is
the sentiment of hostility to railroads
which constantly exhibits it's presence /"
the legislature. 1t has been many years
since We had a session of that body when
one or more measures We're not introduced
attacking the railroads in some way, and
throwing the managers and owners orthis
property in Georgia into a state Of alarm.
II Is well that much of this attempted hos
tile legislation has been effectually
checked by conservative members of the
body, who have been generally able to de
feat the most reckless and dangerous Of
these bills. Before the present legisla-
ture convened, there were rumors that
certain members-elect were preparing the
usual ant-railroad bills, and that there
would be the accustomed agitation of the
subject at this session. The rumors have
been abundantly verified. and unless wise
men in both houses give it an early qui-
etus, we may expect "a recurrence of the
excitement that has sometimes been pre-
cipitated at the capital
One of the bills introduced is described
by those who are keeping a watch on the
progress of events at the capital as a re-
vyal of the old Olive bill, which was only
killed after the whole state had been
turned upside down in the excitement
which attended the efforts to make 1t a
law. 1t was clearly established at that
time that the measure did not meet the
approval of the people, nor do we believe
that it will be approved by them
now. 1t is freely charged that the bill
to which attention has been called. in
troduced by one of the representatives
from Chatham, has as its animus a pur-
pose to thwart the reorganization of the
Central railroad, by which it will become
practically a part of the great Southern
railway system. Without attempting to so
into the details or the merits of the reor-
ganiZation plan, we feel inclined to say
that the attempt in the legislature to in
tertere with it in the manner proposed
cannot but be regarded as misChieVous,
and harmful to all interests concerned,
both to the people of Georgia and to the
| railroads. Few things could happen in
this state at the presnt time that would
give a greater impetus towards good times
than to see the Central disentangled from
the federal court, relieved of its receiver
ship, and put in a solid, solvent condi-
ton. The enterprise and the capital are
at hand ready to accomplish the reor-
ganization, and there is no reason to an
ticipate any delay or serious obstacles,
unless the Georgia legislature seeks to
Interfere.
That it is the design Of those who are
behind the new Olive bill to inaugurate a
war against this movement is charged,
and it appears plausible. The legislature
has nothing to gain for Georgia by giving
! it the slightest encouragement, and
would do the public a service by refusing to
| be a party to the agitation which it threat
! ems, and lay the bill gently and firmly In
the nearest pigeon hole. There are pend
| ing measures of imperative necessity to
| the people, whose proper consideration
! will consume the remaining days of the
| session, and whose accomplishment will
| be far more profitable and satisfactory
! than entering upon an ill-considered and
| unwarranted campaign against the rail-
!