The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-02-02
TUESDAY,
GOVERNMENT BY PRIVATE SEC
RETARY.


Out West there has been a clamof
against government by injunction,
that is, that the powerful railroad corpo-
rations having procured their attorneys
TO be appointed u. s. judges, have caused
injunctions to be issued by them to en-
force whatever policy or action was to
the interest of the corporation.
A scandalous scene was also presented
some years ago in New York when
Judges BARNARD and Cardosa, the tools
Of opposing railroads, issued counter in
functions in favor of their respective
corporations. The judges in New York
being elective by the people, these vile
creatures were impeached, and the choice
of judges by the people since has been
such as to remove the possibility of the
repetition Of the scandal.
But out West, while public sentiment
has forced the U. s. judges to be more
prudent, the opportunity for abuse still
exists as the Federal judges are ap~
pointed by the President for life, and
this evil will increase, net abate, until
following the example of the States, and
under the pressure of the danger to free
government from the present system, the
u. 8. judges are made elective by the
people.
In this section, we have had no sample
of government by injunction, save the
unwarranted injunction issued by u. S.
Judges Simonton and Spear last fall
against the Seaboard Air Line Railroad
giving lower rates to the public, Both of
these judges were formerly in railroad
employ, and, it is generally understood.
were appointed to their present high-paid
life positions by railroad influence.
In this State, while all the larger rail
road systems have, as a rule, kept their
lobbyists on hand at each Legislature to
influence legislation in their interest, the
Southern, formerly Richmond and Dan
vile, has been the worst offender, MAX
ing it habit to interfere in the nomina-
tons of the different political parties.
This has been done, not so much in their
own interests, as out of the sheer ambi-
ton and love of power, and to promote
its fayorites. Indeed, in doing 80, it ne
cessarily interfered with many individual
ambitions and has raised up against
itself many bitter enemies. But never
till this year did it become so pulled up
with a wanton exercise OF its power as
to leave it's control to mere private
secretary.
When the Republican State convention
met last May, the nomination was in de-
bate between Judge Russell and Col.
Dockery. The Southern Railroad deter
mined to bestow it upon Col. JAS. h.
BOYD, of Greensboro, a thick and thin
adherent of theirs, who would heartily
sustain the lease of the North Carolina
Railroad. To this end, balancing pro-
cess was decided ON to wear out the
two principal competitors, and then at the
opportune time, the plum was to go to
Col. Boyd. SO confident was he of ths
railroads power to bestow the nomina-
ton that it is said that he came down
with his speech of acceptance, ready
memorized for delivery, and gave himself
no concern about result he deemed in
evitable, An so cock-sure were the rail
road bosses that they went off, leaving
the arrangement of details in the hands
of "Miller, Private Secretary" Russell
proved too astute for the Private Sec
rotary. and secured the nomination by a
fraction of one vote, which was obtained
for him by fraud
When this legislature met the bosses
arranged as they thought to secure n
control. and after having effectually aid
"a to procure the election Of Pritchard,
tossed the reins to the Private Secretary
10 guide the Legislature the rest Of the
session. But the passage Of Hauser'
resolution III the Iouse, Of Buffers reso-
latioa I'll tae Senate, and the introduction
81 Cooks bill to set aside the North
C,aolina lease have been unexpected de
yeloDments Of independence and seem tC
indicate that North Carolina is not yet
ready for Government By Private See