The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-03-17
MIR. BROOKS STANDS ON THE
PLATFORM.

To the Editor: Your favor of the 18th
inst. to hand requesting my views on the
governments interfering with Governor
or Attorney-General in the bringing OF
suits to regulate corporations; and also
my view of the principle of government
by injunction.
In my opinion the arbitrary and ex
parte interference Of the Federal govern
ment with the local affairs of a soyer-
egn State. by enjoining its Governor.
Attorney General and other officers from
regulating and controlling n corporation
chartered under its law, Us one OF the
most high-handed and diabolical invasions
ever known upon the rights and liberties
of a FIRE people. / am persuaded that no
plank in the recent Chicago Democratic
platform appeals more strongly to the
hberty-loving people of the United States
than does that plank which denOunces
and condemns the unwaranted and arbi-
trary interference of the government by
injunction with the sovereign rights of
individuals and States In this connection
it may be profitable to note that Thos.
jefferson in the early part of our gov
ernment's history warned the people
against the repOsing of to much power
in Federal courts. Indeed it is but the
principle which divided Jefferson and
Hamilton, Hamilton favoring q fedora
ton OF powers into a Constitution and
prescribing the rights of State, while
Jefferson favored the sovereign rights of
State, and a government with only dei"-
gated powers. Although we know it to
be an unsafe and ill-reposed (or rather
construed) power which allows Federal
judge to make a daring hold up" OF a
States Governor, Attorney General and
other officers, yet we might quietly sub
NIT to it, If in the later day history OF
man it could be found when the Federal
court ever interposed to protect the rights
of the people at large. When the Sea-
board Airline Railroad would cut its
freight rates so that shippers might be
materially benefited, the Federal court
intervenes and says you shall not do this
for the people Will be benefited alone
your line of road, as well as along the
line of other roads, that will have to cut
rates in order to compete with you. So
they are enjoined.
When North Cardinals Governor. At
torney General and other officers would
submit to the courts the contract leasing
the North Carolina Railroad for 90
years, to say whether or not such courts
act was legal and binding, the Federal
court says no, you shall not even enquire
into this matter, for if it is unlawful
and n1dum pactum the people of North
Carolina will get $4,000 annually more
from this property than they are now
getting. So the Governor is enjoined.
Yet on the other hand, we see great cor
pOrations and trusts growing up in our
midst sapping the very life blood out of
humanity, whose only object of consolda-
ton is to stifle competition and put down
the price of human products and labor
Notwithstanding when the protection of
the Federal court is asked, we are told
that to stop this or that business would
be in restraint of trade Are not some
men restrained in their liberty? Would
it not be ten thousands times more Just
to restrain few men in their u.,holy
trade than to allow millions of women
and children to suffer from its baneful
effects?
A. l.. BROOKS.
ROXboro. n c. March 10. 1897