The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-04-02
THE RAILROAD DECISION A
RELATED TO REPUBId-
CAN INSTITUTIONS.

| wrench to pre-existent arrangement
among the big railroad corporations, i
| is not TO be doubted that such shaking
| m will quite surely result ultimately il
| a distinct gain to the people.
The decision in full. is, indeed, not ye'
available, but the vital germ of it lies
pernaps. in the observation made by
Justice peckham. in the midst of his
opinion, that the unrestrained agree
ment together of the so-called ''Associa-
tons to maintain rates at IL stated
figure, involves, likewise, the possibility
of maintaining rates that are in re-
straint of legitimate competition. Not as
necessary part, but simply as an illus
tration of the above remarks, the case,
near home, is cited again wherein the
Sea board Airline pursuant to and in
consequence of its endeavor to give the
public the benefit of lower rates of its
own choosing, was nevertheless whipped
back into line with the Association y
by means of an injunction initiated by
the Southern Railway and granted by
Judge Simonton.
That there are dangerous results con-
sequent upon ill-directed competition by
ness of the principle of competition, or,
on the other hand, excuses the tyrranical
and unAmerican uses to which nowadays
combinations are put.
There is great clamor made about the
alleged chcapening to the consumer of
products turned out by consolidation
of manufacturers Aud yet before the
LexOw committee, the other day in New
York, the very reverse was proved TO be
true when Charles II. Flint, president Of
the Rubber Trust, quoted the prices of
rubber shoes to be twenty-five per cent
dearer now than they were before the
consolidation OF the rubber interests.
Yet, even granting for the moment the
claim made, docs it follow that such a
claim would continue TO stand with the
clash of self-interest that would attend
fair and open competition? The Ameri-
can people are not yet prepared to be-
heve this. And while this is the practi-
cal, physical, Observation-Disclosures side of
the question, there comes then the second
division of the subject which might be
called the metaphysical.
And this side must be treated with
no less respect as touching upon the
republican quality of our Institutions
Thus, it matters not how plain the citi-
zen may be, he has this subject, if
vaguely, at least with conviction, an
First, he does not believe that combina-
tons bring cheaper prices: second, he
does rot believe that they inure to the
and simplicity and honesty
that should mark all departments of
American endeavor.
These things are fast in the minds OF
the American people. They are finding
expression day by day in some new au-
-horitative Interpretation. The latest is
he decision by Justice Peckham; and of |
esser material Importance, but involving
rs high principle, is the pressure |
against the American Tobacco Company |
If such intensity as to force them to |
their factor agreements" by |
which a cigarette seller was no less than
| slavish employee of their trust.
Ii. therefore, during the steady fight
II the people, victory such as the
decision is of such Importance
IS to play havoc among the enemy and
o attract national comment, there is yet
10 need for the people to be mislead by
prophecies of disaster. If there be dis
lster. it comes only to the enemies of the
people which is in reality toward their
lpbuilding.
In the midst of the epithets and fore
Dodings that are so technically and
,hrewdly phrased by hired railroad at |
the people will be safe as long |
as they remember these things:-these |
are fighting their way for |
ward toward consolidation and self |
ACKNOWLEDGMENT with a system that Is |
necessarily federal and nothing else; the |
people alarmed at the tendency have
begun i'm earnest to fight their way back |
toward the days of McLaine and 1redell
and Dayie, when each Federal power
was meant to be jealousy
guarded by never sleeping sentinel of
the people.
And among not a few other hopeful
signs Of recent weeks, the Peclham de-
cision shows that the people have made
progress.
Let rs then at least rejoice that we are
cognizant Of the evil, of the remedy and
are striving to apply it. That much is the
beginning of victory, and is after ALL
now. the one hopeful light in the midst
of much that looks dark to a man who