The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-01-19

them, we must always insist upon just
and strict enforcement of their obliga
tions to the public. Against vigorous
opposition we have created a railroad
commission. It's benefits are apparent
and ought to be admitted by all. To it
we are indebted for the regulation and
many cases the reduction of tramc
rates and to the excellent services
which are given by most of the rail
roads in State. Their passenger
rates which prevail in our State seem
to be not unreasonable. 1t is question
able whether at this session of our legis
lature there should be attempted
of rate reduction in this particu
lar. As to freight rates, there are evi
dences that they are excessive when
compared with the enormous decline
OF the value of the commodities upon
which they are levied. y
NORTH CAROLINA RAILROAD LEASE.
The State has a large. and what ought
to be a controlling interest in the North
Carolina Railroad. An attempt has
been made to pass from the State it's
interest in this great property for what
is believed to be an inadequate consid-
GRAFTON. The lease of ninety nine years
of all the rights, franchises and prop
erty, real and personal and mixed, of
this railroad company to a foreign or
o resident corporation was made
without the sanction of the legislature
or of the people of the State. 1t vas
made at a time when nobody expected
it. It was made within a few months
after the adjournment of our General
Assembly. It was made without ap
plication to the legislature. 1t was
made without due discussion or sub
mission of the people of the State, all
Of whom were interested because the
railroad is their property. It was made
six years before the existing lease ex
pired. It was made substantially by
OF g man and that man the Cover
nor Of the State, who acted without the
advice of their representatives. It was
made, so far as the people know or be-
lieve, without inviting competition
among the bidders. 1t was made under
circumstances which indicated inten-
tional secrecy. 1t vas called a lease.
Il was in reality an attempted sale of
this property belonging to our tax
payers without consultation and with
out their advice or consent. Indeed, it
was done when they did not even sus-
pect that it vas contemplated.
The so called ~lessees, the real at
tempted purchasers, of this railroad
ale the members and owners of a cor
poration which belongs to another
State. They seek to own and conduct
and operate this great highway without
asking the consent of the State which
built it and which owns it. When the
State undertakes to complain Of this
transaction in its courts this foreign
corporation will deny their jurisdiction
and attempt to remove the complaint
to the Federal Courts. It is within
your power, gentlemen of the Senate
AID House of Representatives, to pro.
vide by law that nc foreign or non
resident corporation shall hold or oper
ate any railroad within this State by
lease, purchase or otherwise, except
upon a license to be granted by such
court, commission. officer or tribunal
as you may designate, and that nc
such license shall be granted power tC
the effect that the examination has
been made and that the control, opera
tion and management of such railroad
by a foreign or nonresident corpora
ton is not prejudicial to the interests
of the State. And you have the power
further to provide for the revocation
Of any such license by the granting
power and you have the further power
to say by y our law that any or every
such license shall be revoked as to any
such non resident corporation which
shall attempt to remove from your
courts any case to which it may be 6
party. 1t is believed that the lease
claimed by this foreign corporation il
ultra Uires and void, and that it would
be 80 held upon the merits by our court
Of last resort. 1t is submitted that i
is your duty to enact such measures al
are best calculated to bring up thiI
question for speedy determination il
your own courts and prevent it's re
moval to any other Jurisdiction.
But whether this ninety-nine yea
lease by void or valid IN the strictly
legal merits existing at the time of it
consumation, it is to be remembered
that this foreign corporation obtained