The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-03-26
Government by Injunction.
F'rom Raleight N. c. Biblical Recorder
ri rss .s# t..l.f March,, d h.t-Ssss 3fi

-
The. expression is a latter one.( and
Very popular. It was used largely III
inc campaign last fall Two events
nave brought It's meaning home to the
peopie or North Carolina. Not long ago
unere was q rate-war between the two
railway systems that cross this State.
One or them had broken away from the
combination agreement OF more THIN
twenty systems and was cutting rates to
an extent that demoralized the traffic
o. lle Cthei', Whereupon the latter road
tthe Southern railway had the Federal
court to Issue an Injunction preyontin.r
Us competitor from reducing rates.
more recently a. strenuous effort has
been made by the Governor, represent
ing the state, TO test the lease" of the
North Carolina railroad to the South
efn railway. Now this latter has peti-
toned for an injunction from the Fede-
raj court to prohibit the Governor from
opposing the lease. Ate,nporary ini,,rlc-
ION has been issued. and the question
~ granting permanent one will be
Heard IN the Federal Court. All this
may seem quite we'll to- the Southern
railway; but lawful or unlawful, Just or
unjust, 1t cannot fail to strike the plain
people as cowardly and high handed
70 operate n railroad in North Caro-
una and, refuse to repose confidence In
the courts OF North Carolina, is enough
70 breed suspicion; to go further and
get the Federal court to estop the Gov
ernor of North Carolina from doing
what he thinks his oath of office re-
quire' him to do. is enough to breed an
unforgetting hatred We say lawful
or unlawrul.'t Gust or unjust" because
Il lawful and just, citizens Of North
Carolina will not have 10 he forced to
fccognized the railways rights; and II
unlawful and unjust, to force them to
Sltbmtt Will emily heap up wrath against
the day of wrath. Il the people are
suspicious of corporations 1t Is not in
nate. 1t is not their own choice it is
not prejudice without cause. they know
the benefits of them; but it is because
corporations have consistently evaded
laws throughout this country and be-
cause railroads have mcddled in politics
to q dangerously corrupting degree
Politicians boast to their friends that
they have a certain railway behind
them--wc may as we'll be plain--thcy
beast THAT the Southern railway Is be-
pointments, and this is regarded the
certain assurance OF success. Whether
Cleveland or Mckinley is President, the
candidates for appointivc offices seek the
backing of this railroad. Now we are
friendly to the road; it is a great ad-
vantage TO North Carolina, but for no
consideration on earth should n citizen
stand quietly by and tolerate It's tam
perlng With our government. AS for
the Injunction Of tine Federal court it
Is conEfarS 10 tile spirit OF the fathers
ana Of the Constitution. 1t wipes out
the last vcstige Of States Rights. The
people may tolerate it, but they will not
forever. These courts are now the fav-
orite resort Of the corporations, trusts
and railroads. So far as we know there
mas been but one judge Of these courts
whose decisions were not on the side of
| these nterprses-Walter. @. Gresham
and all the precent Of politics was over
turned TO tempt him 10 accept another
office. which he did Judge Simon on,
who issued the injunction against the
Governor. and who will hear the argu-
ment for and against = permanent in
junction, came to Raleigh the other day
in the private car Of an official OF the
Southern railway, boldly. defantly, re-
gardleSS OF the crmine he wears. There
may be some who fondly hope the people
will submit to this kind Of Judges, but
if We know anything about the people
they may for 4 time, but they vii! not
long.