The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-02-16
SILVER AND THE LEASE.
DR.. MOTT URGES SILVER MEN TO
VOTE TO ANNuL.
1.-The Chief Owners of This Great SYs-
tenn, the Southern Pathway, are
Single Gold Standard Men"


To the Editor:-It has been my under
standing that clear majority of six
teen members OF this Legislature were
elected on their representations to the
people that they were silver men.
Such is my excuse for thus publicly
over my own signature, saying what ap-
pears in this article.
AS former railroad officer, and a
friend of railroads, | used free passes or
the roads, but l have never been under
the pay or influence of any man or com
pany from which such passes were accept
ed.
My first political knowledge and train
ing came from old Whig teachings and
made me a strong believer in internal
improvements. Our State has not enough
railroad facilities. and / have always op-
posed any discouraging policy towards
railroads.
But ! want to remind these free silver
members of the Legislature, who may
not know il, that they are building up and
fostering an enemy, il they should allow
this lease Of the North Carolina Railroad
to be sanctioned by their votes The chief
owners Of this great system the Southern
Railway. are single gold standard men,
occupying the very front seats of the
money power, not only in this country,
but outside of it.
The people Of North Carolina are OPP
posed TO the views of these men on this
vital question, the most vital accord
ing to their feeling and belief that they
ever had been confronted with in all
their lives. They firmly believe this mo-
ney question is not finally settled They
confidently believe and expect that anoth-
er turn of the wheel viii bring different
results. They have right to believe it.
How untrue, then, these silver legisla-
tors will be to the people who elected
them, If they should aid an association
Of men who, are dead against them, in
securing such privileges and property and
power in the State, as this lease would
afford them
The power they are now able to exert
is seen in the men they can summon to
their assistance to defeat this bill annull-
ing the lease. If they can exert such in
fuence with their hold on the property Of
the people questioned, what will they not
be able to do with the property gone ont
Of the hands of the people?
Instead Of giving them this club to
knock us into submission, to the gold
standard, let us keep it to club them into
a recognition of our rights and needs.
1t is over four years till the lease ex-
pires. The men outside the State who
are interested in this lease can influence
the passage OF a free silver law before the
lease does expire. They have got just
that much power in this world. 1t is a
great deal of power, but they have got it.
1t is plain in this town to-day who the
people have got to fight in this State two
years from now and four years from now.
for the gold hosts are closing their lines.
Are the people back at their homes trust
ing their representatives to be outraged
and disappointed? Let the gold standard
gentlemen wait until prosperity is re-
stored before they ask the people to give
up this property.
For myself, would as soon the South
ern Company should have it as any other
corporation. But it is a very foolish
thing to do, to let this gold standard mon
ey power come into the State while this
money fight is on, and hand over to them
the best means of defence the people Of
North Carolina have for protection
against such power. J. J. MOTT.