The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-18
'More Dividends, Fewer Receivers"

"MOre Dividends; Fewer Receivers"
Commenting upon the Morning News
position with regard to the current move
ment against the Southern railway, and
against a perpetual nagging of railway
corporations. the Macon Telegraph says.
The News states the case clearly and
forcibly. The wrecking of the Central by
the identical means now proposed to be
applied to the Southern cost the people
of Georgia many millions Of dollars The
day was when Central stock was regard
ed as the best investment in Georgia for
trust funds. and hundreds of thousands
Of dollars belonging to widows and or
phans and charitable institutions were in
vested in it. Since that day the South
western stock, being guaranteed by the
Central, has been the favorite for such
investments. The Central cannot be
dragged into the courts again without
disastrous effect upon the Southwestern.
One-half Of the railroad trackage in Geor-
gia capnot be put into the hands of a re-
ceiver without imperiling the interests of
those who hold Southwestern stock, to say
nothing of other interests.
Railroad wrecking followed upon the
heels of ant-railroad legislation. The
wrecker Joined hands with the demagogue,
and nearly the whole trackage in tho
state was brought down in short while.
But new investors put their money in our
railroad properties. New iron and better
rolling stock were put upon our roads.
Lower rates and better service were given
10 the public. In the face of a fair pros
pect of getting back again upon a bust
public veal. No state. no community,
can prosper when the greatest business in
terests in the state or community are
stranded upon the rocks.
There is a difference. a wide difference,
between state control of railroads to the
extent Of preventing extortions and unjust
determinations, and that vicious crusade
against all corporate interest which rec
ognizes no sense OF justice or fairness
IL comes to a fine pass when the press
Of the state caRnot defend the right-even
the rights Of \ railroad oorporation-with-
out being accused and vilihed.
The country needs just now more
confidence and less suspicion in business
circles; a greater amount OF dividends and
fewer receivers.
Upon the same subject. and commenting
on the same editorial in the Morning
News the Valdosta Times says:
But for the fight that was stirred up
against the Central road and other roads
in Georgia these splendid properties might
have now been owned entirely by the pco-
Pic Of the state. Handicapped by local
prcjudccs, they fell easy victims TO the
wreckors and the poor people along the
lines who had their money IN them were
the losers. The experiences through
which the railroads in Georgia have gone.
as a result OF adverse legislation. should
be enough 10 soften even the dcmagogues
in their night against the roads.
Numerous other expressions OF opinion
along the same line might be quoted. II It
were necessary to do so 20 show that the
people Of Georgia are heartily sick ana
tired OF the continual harplng upon the
chord. Whatever Is. Is wrongw Tho
need Of the times Is for building up. not
tearing down; for launching. not wreck.
ing; for strengthening confidence. not
weakening II.