The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-23
TIME TO CALI A HALT.
Ex-GOv. NOrthen Writes Against
AntI-RaiIrOad Agitation.
letter to the Constitution.

Antl-RaflrOad Agitation.
Letter to the Constitution.
If I understand the Macon case against
the Southern railway properly, and think
l do, 1 most heartily hope 1t win fail be-
fore the courts, as It seems to have failed
before the governor. The constitutional
question involved has already been settled
by the railroad commission, and as the
general assembly has declined to establish
court of appeals for such cases, the
matter should have been promptly with
drawn from public consideration and pub
lie discussion.
AS citizen of the state, have greatly
deprecated the undue, ceaseless and sense
less warfare constantly being made upon
railroads by some of our people. I cannot
but believe that much of it is brought in
a spirit of vindictiveness; quite as much
more from an unholy desire to obtain re-
duced transportation, regardless of cost to
the railroads, as possibly the bulk Of il to
be used for political purposes, before the
less thoughtful classes Of our people.
/ am most hearty advocate for the rail-
road commission. I believe in 1t just like
believe in the courts of the country, and
for the same reasons. I strongly advocate
firmly In the vigorous control Of the peo-
pie. The state cannot afford TO allow ruth
less hands to tear down the strong struc-
lures built for the best interests of the
common good. The truth is, the people
have already been allowed too much lib
erty to destroy, and while we are con-
stantly harangued about the wrongs COM
mitted by the railways, we ought occa-
sionaIly TO hear something of the evils
attempted by the people.
II has been constantly a matter of won
der TO me that the railroads have not
more aggressively asserted themselves,
and declined to render any service to any
body, except such as may be exclusively
in their individual interests.
In spite OF all the wars made upon them,
they are doing more for the good of the
state than any other corporation OF class
OF our people. am In position TO know,
further, that they are doing moro for the
state than the state, through its general
assembly has done for itself Outside OF
the Individual efforts made by separate
lines, the leading railways OF this state
have put into my hands, for the develop
ment Of our resources, $1,000 for every
800 put into the hands OF the commits
sioner OF agriculture by the state, for our
advertisement abroad. The railroads
therefore, are entitled TO whatever good
has come 10 the state through my efforts,
In the location Of people and the estab-
]
lishment OF industries, largely Increasing
our tax values and lifting burdens from
all the people. Nothing has ever ap-
preached these results. from any other
source or effort in the state or by the
state itself. Yet, these corporations are
vigorously and constantly fought by the
people whom they have so generously
served In this and many other ways
The railroads have never declined or
hositated TO encourage, most literally
every industry, institution or organization
that promises good TO the common people
Recently, as heretofore the friends OF
every literary and educational institution
I'm the state have been transported by tho
railroads az nominal cost, 70 college COM
mencements and other public entertain
! ments.
In this way the roads have for many
years helped forward the education OF the
people by large contributions OF their
means and money.
For a quarter OF a century and more the
/ farmers Of this state have been taken by
/ the roads 20 their annual conventions alb
eolutely without charge, and the amounts
contributed IN this way FOR the bctterment
I OF our farms and the Improvement OF our
agriculture viii 10 far into thousands OF
collars. Yet, the farmers themselves do
not hesitate, upon the slightest supposed
| grievance 70 array these. their liberal benz
ciactofs, before the public for redress and
| satisfaction.
without distinction az 10 denominations
the Fresbytorans, Mothodists. Baptiste
Episeopalians, Catholics ana all other re-