The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-10
TEXAS DEMOCRATS? WELL!
SECRET AGREEMENT MADE WITH 4
RAILROAD MONSTER.
A Compact Drawn UP to Compromise 5000
Cnsea OF Discrimination By tho southorn
Pacific Railroads. Fine OF ea5, 900 In
atena OF One OF n~ini.ns-Troubi in the LAND.

NuNoN VI ~ Nv buuNHOE
Pacific Railroads. Fine OF eaS, 900 In
atend OF One Of Smisns-Trouble In the Land.
AUSTIN, Tex. Sept. 0.-The Democrats Of Tex
as are face TO face with n grave crisis in their
party owing to an ENHANCEMENT with the South
ern Pacific Railroad. The man most seriously
involved Is tho candidate for Governor, NJ. NJ.
Crane, at present Attornoy-G General.
Tho trouble arises over All agreement be-
tween Attorney eneral Crane and the South
ern Pacific Railroad Company. an agreement
now styled by the mon Of Texas ms that In
famous compromise" by which tho railroad
company, with 1000 cases against 1t for viola
tion OF the railroad law through discrimina-
ton. is to be let Off with the lowest fine In nifty
of the cases. or 1875, 900 in all.
The discovery OF the practice OF giving rebates
to favored shippers by the Southern Pacific was
made last June. whom +. NJ. Underhill. general
auditor Of the Atlantic Division Of the Southern
Pacific, with headquarters at New Orleans, was
discharged by the company.
Underhill held voucher stubs in his possession
that showed every rebate that had been given.
The Southern Pacific officials tried to make him
give these up. but. acting upon tho nd vice of IN
attorney, Underhill placed the stubs in tho
vault OF n banker friend, n. II. Weeks
Of Galveston. Underhil and Weeks had
served tORetQcE III tnS SOnlcuCEA-o army
and Weeks urged the ex-Auditor to 40 before
tho State Railroad Commission with his stubs
and show that body what the Huntington sys-
began at once. Connecting lines OF the Southern
Pacific were drawn into the net ~
upon the railroad men who had violated the
Commission laws. He declared they should DO
could bring It about, and that no compromise
should be considered with his consent;
ex-Gov. HogT and asked him to help defend their
line. Mr.. hogg made the Railroad Commission
and he did not wish tog before the Texas courts
II can't defend you" he said; but I'll go
before the commission and make the best com.
This was accepted. Knowing that II this com.
promise was talked about II might hurt tho
party. 4 conference Of tho leading DemoGrats
July. to meet in Galveston.
The meeting was held ana the compromise
was considered. 1t was decided that the best
way 10 settle tho cases was by adopting it:
The Southern Pacific was to plead guilty in
each case, and have the other $3.50 virtually
dismissed.
To This srrHnsement Attorney:Geners Crane
field signed tho compromise, Right here tho
murmuring Of disapproyal began. Banker
the Southern Pacific should not be let of
SO lightly. He began to raise q disturbance
u Wp' tho en cries ssa Of fraud" "nesliE 'ne Of du I'VE t
81
and Railroad Commissioners Reagan and Story
failed to sign the compromise agreement. They
have 30 far failed to attach their signatures to
the surrender" as the country voters have be.
gun to call It.
There the matter rests. with tho railroad at
torneys clanOrinG ioT d tUnIplUnii,o anu the
people clAmorinR for q full and fair prosecution
Of every case of Relating against every railroad
In Texas.
Whether the compromise Is effected finally or
not matters little now. Hogg. Crane. and May
field, to say nothing Of Reagan and other Demo
cratic leaders. urged and pushed tho scheme.
and their enemies VII! likely use Il against them
on the stump.
Acknowledgement Crane. while in Dallas a few
days ago. Is said to have told a friend
TINT he was between the devil and deep,
wide sea. II he prosecuted the railroads they
would fight him for Governor; II he did no,
prosecute. the people would ruin him. II he
compromised with the railroads, the boys from
the forks OF the creek would in,urc his chances
The situation is critical with the Democratic
party In Texas. All the party leaders are
alarmed. Republicans and Populists are iubi
liant. The Democracy is being proddcd from
without and within.