The news & observer., 1897-02-25
TTTE FIGHT Is ON IN GEORGIA
TOO.

(Ga) News of February 22nd, shows thla
the people OF Georgia are having fight
against corporation domination some
what similar TO the enc that is agitati
the people of North Carolina:
"Now for the trial blow"
'"nhe order ISSUED by the Georgia com
mission to show cause why Meesrs. Thomas
aud Ryan should not be allowed repre-
sentation on the board controlling that
road il Thought to be AN effort to re-opcn
the old question of the right OF n compet
ing hue OF railroad to own an interest
in another competing line in Georgia, or
rather II is strictly speaking an effort
to test the ruse which the Central or
10 SEQ further in the matter still, the
Southern is seeking to work Through
Thomas and Ryan. In other words,
Thomas and Ryan are in this case the
agents of the Central. The Central rec
ognizing the fact that it is not allowed
under the laws of Georgia TO own or to
be Jointly interested i'm a competing line
simply puts forward Thomas and Ryan
who are to act for it in securing repre-
sentntion on the board controlling the
Georgia and to assist hereafter in operat-
ing that road. thus in effect legalizing
The Central's Joint control of the Georgia.
ssrhis in n NUT shell is the point which
Judge Specr is called upon to decide.
tit is a fine one and it will prehaps re-
uuirc some very exhaustive testimony
to prove Thomas and Ryan's relation to
the Central although the same is well
known The point at issue we suspect
involves a great deal more in reality
than the Joint control of the Georgia by
the Central It seems quite apparent
that the whole scheme of railroad consol-
iation in this State is mixed up in it.
at lis in a certain sense a bold move,
but it has been so carefully planned and
each piece ON the board is so well pro-
tectei that even an unfavorable deci-
sion i'm this case would by no means
check-mate the schemers who are bent
on bringing under one management every
important railroad in this State 1t is
evidently a move that has been long i'm
contemplation and the parties at interest
have only awaited an opportune time to
make it. Now that all the roads have
been exhucted from litigation the. Jug
gernaut that is to roll over the people
is already TO move save putting the
pieces together A court decision allow
ing Thomas and Ryan voice in the man.
agement OF the Georgia or any other
road in which they may claim to have an
interest with be a license to proceed and
then we will find the various competing
lines that the Southern has gobbled up
contrary to law practically under one
management.
gsYI- ia
out this time the old Richmond and Dam
Vile plan of railroad consolidation made
the boast THAT they would be successful
because they had proftted by the mis-
takes of the former and had planned
more carefully.
Like the fox they c.rcled around and
we find them to-day right where the
Richmond and Danyille was four years
ago. Trade Mark and all we find them
putting into effect, but with far greater
caution the original plan of railroad con-
solidatfon, though twice as large IN scope.
1.-THE question now is, will the courts
allow it? The law is plain enough, we
all understand that Judge Speer has al
ready construed and applied this law and
he has not yet been over ruled ON the
point decided upon: the right of one
competing line of road TO control another
But in this case atechnicality in involved
that may have the effect of defeating the
law This is the evident purpose and
the only way to thwart it is to furnish
the court legal proof that Thomas and
Ryan are in reality the Central road or
in other words, the CentraIs agents.
Then, we believe the court win correctly
hold that the Central or Thomas and
Ryan as you choose to designate the
plaintiff cannot under the laws of
Georgia exercise control of a competing
line of road. 1t is possible, however, that
the giant monopoly that lis at the bottom
of all this may succeed In defeating
constitutional law of Georgia ON a techni-
calaty. If so it but digs it's own grave
FOR am outraged public will eventually
put the shackles ON foe so dangerous
that iit cam ride down at will the sacred
law of the land and laugh to scorn those
who dare assert its majesty. Govern
nlent control or government ownership
OF railroads must inevitably follow such
acts as this railroad monopoly is now
about to be guilty of. When railroads
can over ride the pubEcs rights and rem
der ineffective the constitution Of q
State. con laugh at public sentiment and
defy the courts then the public is forced
to the other extreme of doing that which
under ordinary circumstances would be
neither necessary or expedient-of de-
priving individuals of the right of own
ership or control and boasting this vast
power where it is the least dangerous,
upon the government, but perhaps Judge
Speer may find sufficient law and get at
enough of the truth in this particular
case to prevent the railroads doing the
lSamsonian act just at this time. 1t
remains to be seen. And a great deal
depends upon the courts decision i'm this
case"