The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-05-05
Respon.IbIIItIes of Court.

property is enormous, and the use OF thi:
power in a way that does not satisfy tbs
public sense OF justice drives the people
toward anarchy faster than such men as
Herr Most can lead them
The tendency OF courts in recent times
in all parts OF this country
70 take control OF corporate and
private property and admins
ter 1t through receivers. and to make ex-
orbitant allowances to receivers and law
yers is not only attracting attention. but
IS causing much dissatisfaction. For IL
lustration Of what we mean we need not 90
beyond the limits Of our own state. but
the Illustrations are not confined to our
state. And what we say is not intended
as a criticism Of any particular court,
but Of a general evil which seems 10 US
to be growing.
The distribution of the $4,000 Of as
sets of the old Atlantic and Gulf railroad
is not likely TO be forgotten soon in this
community. The whole amount was alb
sorbed in court expenses and allowances
to lawyers. and the allowances were so
large as to excite surprise. The employ
es OF the road that stuck to their places
without pay, but with the understanding
they would get what was due them, re-
ceived nothing. They were left out in the
cold. Why were they not placed on 4
footing equal with that of the lawyers?
The Central railroad was placed in the
hands Of receiver several years ago, on
the application OF comparatively unknown
lawyers, who acted for a client holding a
few shares of stock. Why would it not
have been better to have had hearing of
the application before appointing a receiv-
er? The hearing could have been had at
once. and few days delay would have
made no difference enc way or the other.
The road is still in the hands of receiv-
ers, and no one would be so rash as to
predict when # will get out Of them. In
the meantime it's assets are being swal-
lowed up by growing interest charges, al
lowanees for receivers, court charges, and
fees OF lawyers. 1t looks as II the junior
security holders would get nothing for
their holdings. In the meantime, the Rich
mond Terminal. from whose possession the
Central was taken. has been recognized,
and is becoming prosperous again.
The other day the Georgia. Florida and
Southern was sold, and the court fees and
lawyers allowances amounted to $4,000.
And the road is a small one. one of the
lawyers it is reported. was allowed $780,
600. Think of it! A fortune for services
that could all have been rendered, per-
haps, in a few weeks of steady work.
The head Of great department of the
government only gets $500 for his whole
four years service.
The other day an electric railway of
this city was put into the hands of re-
ceiver on the application of a holder of
a couple Of its bonds. The question has
been raised whether he is a genuine bond
holder. The road had not defaulted in any,
way. When the case was heard the re-
ceiver was discharged. but the road was
put to a very considerable expense. and its
credit injured by having its solvency ques-
toned. Why would it not have been wiser
to have heard both sides before appointing
receiver If we are not mistaken all
that has been accomplished could have
been accomplished just as well without a
receiver.
Things like these make the people muir
muir because they seem to them to be un.
just. They are things that courts, which
because the murmurings may develop into
something more serious