The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-11-30
CONCLUDED FROM PAGE 8 !

favored with these rebaUes, and in tbas
way would in all probability gradually
drive them out Of business It was
TO prevent just such fraudulent pref
erences that this statute was enacted.
The most diligens search on my part
has failed to disclose a single case
where this statute has been considered
by b courts TO mean that q railway
company could not give a compliment
airy pass over it's lines without being
subject to heavy penalty. This Of
course can have no reference TO cases
where passes have been given directly
as brides and accepted as such to il flu
ence action either as an official juror
or witness, and In sucu cases OF course
an Indictment for bribery would lie.
In the past ten days a justice Of the
peace of this county wno, | am in
formed, is a discharged employee of
the Southern Railway and whom the
records of this court show Is under In.
dIcGment for an of nse made a felony
under the laws, whilst acting in the
capacity If a justice of the peace. has
Issued warrants against the Southern
R@il way, naming as witnesses the pre-
siding ,moer of this court, tbs solicitor
of this court, and the sheriff of this
court. II In the issuing of these war
rants the magistrate was acvuated by
an honest desire to enforCs the laws Of
toe land then is he entitled to all praise
and commentator for his vigilance
and fearlessness in the discharge of his
Chclal dusies. But if his purpose in
tnIs matter was "Lo put money in his
purse" to wreak vengeance upon the
master he formerly served, or to intim
Idate the officers of this court IN the
pr lsecution pending against him, then
does ne merit the CONT mpt and scorn
that any brave man would feel for any
common spy and informer whose main
spring Is lever an honest purpose to
VlddicaCe the law, but who ever and
al ways Is moved and actuRted by the
desire of revenge or the hope of re
ward. You have observed that / have
expressed no opinion upon the c0nsti
Ju1IonalICy Of the act of 1891 or upon
the legal construction that should be
given the 81 cEIon of the act forb,dding
uadue preferences, nor have I attempt
"A any Interpretation OF the SAID pro
vision al / should do we're the matter
as Issue before me on a oil of indict-
ment found By your honorable body.
l. Is only necessary for me TO say that
grand jurors must administer the law
as 10 Is gwen them by b courts and
| shall charge you hat to be the law
when l fad written upon the statute
oDoks It's cops5isutionalIGy, its proper
construction, I55 Interpretation Is a
matter for the c urCs AFTER the bills ere
found and not before. 8 that, l charge
you, gent emen OF tine grand jury, that
If you find that any comm Il carrier IN
CnIs 8 ate has med or gwen any undue
or Unreasonable prett reuces or adven
rage TO any particular persOn, com
pany, firm. corporation, OF | caiity, or
any particular description Of ira fiji TO
any UNIQUE or unreasonable prejudice
or disadvantage In any respecS wh6rsO
ever, hat you should find a bill against
the corporation so CfsndIng unless
IN preference was given to the class
# persons whIcn 1 have mentioned to
you.
IS WILLING TO APPEAR
So far as the presiding officer of this
court ~ cnncerned, il will give him
great pleasure to appear before your
honorable body at any time that may
suit YOUR convenience tn testify of any
knowledge ne may have of any viola
tlon If this Law on the part of the
Southern Railway Company or any
other corporation in the SLate of North
Carolina have instructed the prose
cutting officer of this court e send a
oil against the alleged eff 4nding COR
ppratIon marking my name upon such
Dill AS a for the State. / have
gwen this matter lengthy discussion
o-cause of it's public interest That ia
my ODIV apology for having detained