The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1894-12-29
"PERsECUTION OF RAILROADS.
DISCUSSED IN AN EDITORIAL,

/ ~S~>>~~~~O----~
DISCUSSED IN AN EDITORIAL,
Which Creates Quite Sensation in
jackson.
Laws on the statute Books Which are
Dead Letters.
THE PICAYUNE's BUREAU, }
800 Capitol Street, !
jackson, Miss, Dec. "a, 1894. J
The following editorial from the
Jackson Evening News, under the cap.
tion Of Persecution Of Railroads." has
created quite sensation here at the
capital, which is likely to spread over
the entire State:
'The News has always been In favor
OF surrounding corporations, including
railroads, with proper restrictions, to
prevent any abuse Of the powers and
privileges they possess; It recognizes
the fact that railroads as quasi public
institutions must, within just limits, be
subject to public control, but 1t draws
the line at this, and condemns, as all
just and fair-minled citizens must con-
denim, persecution Of the railroads for
the sake Of persecution, and for this
reason it most heartily condemns the
senseless and unjust persecution to
which the Illinois Central Railroad
Company Is now. being subjected BY
certain towns In Lafayette county.
''Tbere Is q law on our statute books
which makes it unlawful for railroad
company to run its trains through
towns, cities and villages at a greater
rate Of speed than six miles an hour.
This law has been on the books for a
quarter Of a century, and has not been
enforced. II is practically dead let
ter. It is an old law, the practical
utility Of which has long been recog-
nized. That railroads have not observ-
ed it, every one vel. knows and the
reason for its non-observance is we'll
understood by the public. II this law
was strictly observed in Mississippi it
would make difference Of six hours in
the schedule time between Grand juno
tion aud New Orleans. Not only the
railroad interests but the public inter-
est, convenience and comfort demand
a non-observance Of this law, and by
common consent its violation by the
railroad companies has for years boeu
permitted. Its violation has done no
harm to any one, while its observance
would work great Inconvenience aud
discomfort to the travelling public and
loss and expense TO shippers and re-
ceiyers OF freight. In other words, the
business interests Of the entire State
would suffer. .
I'm view of all this, the governor, at
the special session Of the Legislature
held a year ago, recommended repeal
Of the law, and bill to that effect
passed both Houses, but failed because
Of some technical defect in the title,
by reason of which the governor could
not sign the bill, and it was too late to
correct the error and the bill failed.
..'Now certain towns in Lafayette
county have been induced by an at.
torney TO allow him to sue the Illinois
Central Railroad Company In the
name Of the towns for violation Of the
law, the towns and the attorney to
divide equally the penalties recovered.
Men were employed secretly to watch
the trains, and over 100 suits have been
brought at Abbeville and many others
are TO follow.
"Under the circumstances, thu
News condemns this a. persecution
pure and simple. No complaint i
made Of any injury to anybody by rea
eon Of this violation Of the law and NJ
possible good can come Of It, and tn
suits are brought simply because th'
railroad company 10 technically In tb'
power Of those who sue. II the pur
pose Of these prosecutions is to compe
the railroad company to conform to tn
law, there will be ! general outer.
against II. The loss Of six hours o.
one Of our fast sthrough vegetabl
trains involves q question Of profit Q
loss to the shipper.
III the railroads have been warne
lit would doubtless have conformed t
the wishes Of the community Ia re
gard to the matter. As 1t is 1t ha
been ambushed, and Is now being sui
iected to an unnecessary persecutio
and all good citizens aud fair.minde
men will join the News In the hop
} that the towns which have sgone int
this unholy partnership will dtsmia
their suits At once. The people do nc
want the law enforced. II they di
they would have signifed their wis
Y long ago.
Y III the good people Of Abbeville ha
y been fully advised Of the meaning an
purport Of the war which 10 bein
warad an the 7llinOia Central RAtlrOa