The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-01-17
.DUCTION OF RAILROAD
HARGES FOR PASSENGERS
AND FREIGHT.

hen swallows fill chimney with
r dirt and stick nests and one is sent
lean out the fiue, the distracted birds
around, shrieking in their language
the intruder is tearing down the
ding. Yet he is only removing OBJ
lctions to its proper use. So when
people are tired out with railroad
ses, the fancy salaries of the higher
ers, the grant Of free passes to public
.als and favorites, and the collecting
lends on four times the actual value
he roads, the startled officials fly a
id exclaiming that we are fighting
roads and property rights. The peo-
are doing nothing OF the kind. They
demanding the removal OF abuses.
desire more railroads. We intend to
ect their rights and no one desires to
emit their earning legitimate interest
he actual cost OF the roads and pay
their officials just and moderate sala-
beneficial to those profting by, and
( upon them, but their removal will
the railroad companies in assounder
, better condition.
hen railroads were first began, and
many years after, they were owned
our own people, their directors and
,idents were elected by stockholders
ag along the lines of road and the
lagement of railroads was conducted
i some regard to public sentiment and
i a view to earn moderate salaries
dividends for their officers and stock
'ers. But q system Of railroad
ecking" was begun. Our people lost
r stock in the roads or were forced
ell at q heavy loss Immediately they
e recognized by the manipulators,
4 bonds and stock issued thereon TO
or four times their cost, and prob
i at a dozen times the price paid by
manipulators, and forthwith host
Metals with fancy salaries were put
~ to run them, the rates were fixed
arm dividends and interest on this
&c, or four times, watered capital and
people are kept quiet at their own ex-
e, by issuing literally free passes
ficials and others who might infiu-
public opinion not 10 cry out against
= rates.
ne president and directors and MAJ
- formerly selected by our own peo-
and living among us had sympathy
a NJ and would not Cypress. Now
grand officials are appointed by the
y owners living in London and New
K. Whatever grand titles they may
Q and, however fancy the sum OF their
q salaries, they are in truth simply
local agents or overseers OF the non
Dent owners Of these properties.
ur people know their rights and
wing, dare maintain them"
~ know that these distant
road lords and their local
.rseers contributed in every way
he establishment OF the gold stand
and thereby reduced our products to
than half their former value while
3ntaining freights and fares at for
: rates thus in effect doubling them.
people know the legislature has the
Il to regulate rates and fix maximums.
his legisla ture can be prevented from
ag this, the people will continue till
send a body here that will give us
II. When the people demanded
.lroad Commission, the railroad lobby
Gated it in four legislatures, but I'm
, they sent the legislature of 1891 here
passed it.
! reasonable rate for passengers would
} or 21a cents for first class and 2 or
cents for second class. Notwithstand-
! the rate now is 3L cents, the railroads
ort they received on an average 2 1-5