The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-11-30
A NEW TIGHT on THE SOUTHERN,
The Legislature to De Asked to Try
to Ignore the Interstate Law.
From the Atlanta Journal.

FROM the Atlanta JOURNAL.
On Wednesday a bill will be introduced
in the Senate requiring all railroads oper-
ating in Georgia to procure charters from
the state and be operated in accordance
with such charter and the constitution Of
the state Of Georgia
Since Robert Toombs, in the constitu-
tional convention of 1877 caused to be en-
grated into the constitution of the state
a paragraph prohibiting joint ownership
or operation of competing railroad line5
there has been almost continual opposi-
ton to the combining policy pursued by
various railroad interests, which many
have believed to be inimical to the inter-
ests of the people and from a legal stand
point, unconstitutional
The bill referred to has been prepared
with great care and those back of 1t say
that a healthy sentiment in its favor ex-
lists in the Senate-the body in which It
is to be first presented. The same senti-
ment, 1t is stated, exists in the House of
Representatives, and as it is known that
the railroad interests are cognizant of
the fact that the bill is to be introduced,
they are prepared to put up the stilfest
hght possible to prevent its passage.
The bill will be on its face an attack on
no particular railroad interest, but it is
well known that it can only be directed
against the Southern railway system,
which is operated under a charter obtain
ed from the state of Virginia, and which,
according to the statement of those who
have investigated the subject, has no
charter rights from the state of Georgia
Should this bill pass it would lead up
to the fight which was made in '8S and in
80, to require the Southern system, then
the West Point Terminal Company, and
the Richmond and Danville to comply
with the competitive clause of the consti-
tuition which was prepared by Robert
Toombs and approved by the people of
the state.
Such a bill as the one to be presented
on Wednesday has been in contemplation
since the beginning of the legislative ses-
sion. Attorneys and agents of the South
ern have strenuously opposed its intro
duction, and the long delay occasioned by
the senatorial deadlock and the judicial
convention have all prevented a clearing
of the legislative decks for what bids fair
to be the really exciting and sensat ional
feature Of the present legislature.
The fact that the bill viii be Introduced
Is well known and an early fight over it's
passage recalls to mind tae exciting battles
over the Olive and Berner bills in the leg
islature, both Of which, after protracted
and bitter struggles. the Southern, or the
old corporation, defeated.
Following is the paragraph in the state
constitution alluded TO above:
The general assembly OF this state shall
have no power TO authorize any corpora
ton to buy Shares or stock in any other
corporation in this state, or elsewhere, or
to make any contract or agreement VIVA t.
ever with any such corporation, which
nay have the effect to defeat or lessen CON-
petition IN their respective business, or to
encourage monopoly; and all such con-
tracts and agreements shall be Illegal and
void. y