The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-07-16
DR.. Abbott Was Warmed Into
Life by the Governor.
CARPET BAG FREE MASON
FREE PASS BRIGADE DESCEND
upON RALEIGH THIS WEEK.
COMMISSION MAKES NO REDUCTION
Thew Have Had Clerk Brown Busy Getting up
Figures to Back up the Decision
S. Ohio Wilson DissentS.

S. Ohio Wilson Dissents.
saTbere is a Free Masonry among
Carnet-ba cgers," said North Carolina
Republican who happened to be IN hai-
e;pb early this week when COL Thomas
r. Keough and Maj. Hiram L.. Grant
visited Raleigh about the time that Car
pet-bagger. DIR. Abbott, the new Repuoll-
can Railroad Commissioner, was to be
called upon to act upon an important
ouestion before the Railroad Commission.
Does anybody suppose that keough
and Grant accidentally happened to drop
into Raleigh this week? Does anybody
imagine that either of them pad their
railroad fare? Did the visit of the Car
pet-baggers have nothing to do WIN the
decision of the Railroad COMMISSION
If so listen to this recital OF
inside facts communicated by prom,
inent Republican, much of which is wen
known to all members Of the Legislature:
"The Governor" he said, will be bit
by his own dog this week. DE elected
7Or. Abbott Railroad Commissioners. W..
E. White, Of Mebane, was the Leading
candidate and Abbott had hardly
handful of supporters. 1t was under
stood that White endorsed the lease, was
a thick and thin Southern Railway man,
and there was a suggestion that he was
Col. Andrews's candidate. Whether ne
was or not, Russell believed it and made
up his mind to defeat White. He threw
all his influence to Abbott, and by hard
work secured his election.
The Governor thought that he had
elected a man who held views agreeing
with his own. He reckoned without COL
Thomas B. Keough and Major Hiram L.
Grant, and the free-masonry that exists
between Carpet-baggers. DIR. Abbott
turns up as a friend Of the railroads,
and the Governor is no doubht sorry that
he secured his election
THE DECISION.
The decision Of the Railroad Commits
sion as to railroad rates is as follows:
The Railroad Commission, In session
July Is, after a most palnstakng mVes,
tigation of the rates Of passengers and
freights as they now exist, compared
with former years, find as follows:
Raleigh and CASTOR Railroad:
1S71-Average passenger rate per mile,
6 cents. Average freight per ton per mile,
Az cents. -.
1S91-Ayerage passenger rate per mile,
2.71 cents. Average freight rate per ton
per mile. 1.41 cents.
1S96-Average rate per passenger per
mile. 1.91 cents Average freight rate
per ton per mile, 1.20 cents.
North Carolina Railroad:
1S66-Ayerage passenger rate per mile,
ga cents. Average freight rate per ton
per mile, 9.S5 cents.
1S91-Average passenger rate per mile,
$50 cents. Average freight rate per ton
per mile. 1.04 cents.
1S96-Average passenger rate per mile,
2.2O cents. Average freight rate per ton
per mile, .0097 mills.
Wilmington and Weldon Railroad:
1SS6-Average passenger rate per mile,
2.67 cents. Average freight rate per ton
per mile, 2.13 cents.
1S96-Average passenger rate per mile.
2.51 cents. Average freight rate per ton
per mile, 169 cents.
Other systems show a like graded re-
duction, as a consolidated report Of all
the roads in North Carolina show the
average passenger rate for the year 1891,
Commission to be 2SS cents; the average
freight rate per ton per mile to be LOO
cents. In 1896 the average passenger
srate per passenger per mile was III
cents, and the average freight rate per
ton per mile 1.39 cents.
The Commission also find that the
passenger rates as general thing are as
low, if not lower, than those Of any
other State of a like population to the
square mile; and the freight rate will,
as whole compare most favorably with
any State in the Union. AS proof OF
this, reference is made to a most careful
and accurate report Of rates in all the
States, given this day to the press.
AS to the complaint Of Caesar Cone
made part of the charges Of Mr.. DAM
els, every intelligent man is aware that
this was an interstate matter, o<el
which this Commission had no jurisdic
ton. Had the party, however. reported
the facts to us we could have had the
abuse corrected without expense ant
sooner than this meeting could have beer
called.
The Commission, from the above facts
together with others elected by tn
recent discussion, see no good reason To-
changing their views as expressed II
their last report, but do reiterate that tn
present rates are just and reasonable ant
such as were contemplated in the &C
creating the Commission, and will maxi
no material changes at present.
Referring to the freight tariffs Of tn
different railroads which have been hxe'
and approved by the Railroad Commits
sion, it is found that the rates are NOR
IN line and regular than heretofore-dis
elimination In favor of and against local
titles have been corrected.
Freight and passenger revenues from a
the roads Of the State are a. follows:
1S9O-Freight revenue per ton per mile
OF SO cents; revenue from each ton o
freight, $1.S3. Passenger revenue pc
passenger per mile, 2.88 cents; averag
revenue from each passenger, $1.06.
1S96-Freight revenue per ton per mile
$3.50; revenue from each ton Of freight
e. M IL