Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1897-04-16
Railway Robbery.


1t is as hard for man to restrain his
growing over the inconsistency and unre
liability OF humanity as it is for the chained
mastiff to smile at the approach of the
chicken thief.
They say the world is growing better,
morally and religiously; that heathendom
is adding more to civilization than enlsght-
e'aed nations are withholding from it, So
may it be. Such conclusion would be
very gratifying to even such an abandoned
and honest creature as the pessimist. 1t
is evident, from all the facts derived from
close scrutiny, that the morals Of this land
are not improving, and that is the least that
can be said of the morals of our people.
The disposition of our people to get I'M
earned bread-"a half loaf if not the whole
is anything but comforting to the man who
gets no bread at all, but who exercises a
guardian care over the public bakery, as
being among the providers OF the establish
ment. Those who ask bread of the public
bakery seldom get stone, though in many
cases they are more deserving OF a serpent
than fish.
1t is gratifying to even the croaks to be-
hold the generous aid extended to the I'M
fortunate breadess thousands who cover
the earth to-day. Many OF the starving are
lmprovident and barely deserving of aid,
but still they are being aided with liberal
hand. This is certainly spring sun on the
otherwise dark picture.
Highway robbery is certainly deplorable.
1t has called forth the most pardonless ven
geance OF Judge Lynch in earlier ages. 1t
has been fought with hemp, with torch,
with branding iron. Even lifelong soli-
tary conference.-the hardest punishment
known to man-has been visited upon the
nil n w n Tnrnihlty rolauaa q
traveller OF the poets trash" But even this
species OF bread getting seems mild in com.
parison with modern and apparently legal
lied one. 1t is railway robbery.
The general opposition to railway COM
panies shows sad lacking of principle
among our people The grumbler, who
would assert that the railroad is an evil,
would be well worthy OF the lunatic asy.
lum; and yet when there is a suit brought
against one, every one seems ready to lend
hand to give il success, it matters not how
fimsy and groundless it may be. OF course
it is easy to see the mean seltishness of this.
1t is one OF the very best ways to obtain
money and distribute il in a district. IL
beats by far the free and the unlimited
manufacture of the "neediul" by the govern
ment. 1t is more concentrated-draws to
narrower focus. 1t is a pity though that the
oLolJ Va 1hS hOhSJ NhiA pS"t o'OiS'D'J
illustrated by these litigations. The claim
ant bear knocks over the beehive and gets
all OF the stings, while the litigious honey
guide ticks up all the honey.
The strangest part about it is that those
who fight the railroads hardest are those
who get the most cheap rides on them.
They lose no chance to denounce the Top
preston OF the railroads" and the means by
they realize such enormous profits" Ii
the railway profits are so enormous" il is
a wonder that these carping gentlemen do
not oitener invest in their stocks.
1t is only by the most systematic and
economical management that the railroads
are enabled to keep above water at all, and
it is burning shame that these groundless
suits are allowed. The railroads have been
one Of the chief sources OF wealth and en-
lightenment of the world, and lie that would
destroy them is anything but friend OF his
country, or particularly, friend OF the labor
ing poor around him. Millions are depend
ent upon day-labor Tor the hard earned
bread which they and their families con
sumo, and l know of no means of supply
ing it more readily than through the almost
unlimited agencies of the railroad.
Besides, these eutrages are not exclusively
against the railroad; they are against the
morals of the people. 1t looks like pre-
MUM on dishonesty. 1t is encouragement
OF crime. 1t is more damaging and damn
ing 10 the morals of the people than tam
pering with the national treasures, because
it is more common and more easy oil sue
cess Instead of selflshly defrauding the
railroads, let US do all in our power to in
crease their profits, so that this mode o.
travel can be made more rapid and safe.
| Comus, April 2, 1897. y.