The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-15
FEED ALL OUT OF THE SAME SPOON.

This paper has long advocated such
reduction in the passenger rates as could
be fairly and justly made on the three
leading railroad corporations in the
State. That is what the people of the
State demand. They want no more
They will be satisfied with no less.
Yesterday the Railroad Commission
ordered reduction of the rate on the
Wilmington and Weldon Railroad, re
fused to order a reduction on the North
Carolina railroad and left the question
open as to the Raleigh and CASTOR. This
decision does exactly what the acrobatic
chairman Of the Commission desired to-
wit: Nothing. There has never been any
hope on the part of those who have kept
posted that there would be any
real purpose to make reductions since
Chairman Caldwell out-Shirassed ShiraS
in his lightning-like change of front. The
purpose has been to make the people
think that the Commission was not an
annex of the Southern Railway, but al
the same time to do nothing to displeast
the officials Of that corporation.
Those who followed the arguments and
the facts and figures in the hearing were
convinced that the North Carolina, VIII
mington and Weldon, and Raleigh and
Castor railroads could stand n reason
able reduction. The case was clearer
as to the road from Goldsboro to Char
lotto (which is better than a gold mine)
than of any road in the State, and yet
the Commission refuses to reduce on
that road and makes the reduction on
the Wilmington and Weldon. Why?
Mr.. Elliott could prepare a stronger rea
son against reduction than the state
ment for the Southern. which Chairman
Caldwell fathers.
The whole series of scandals and
tloppings that have been attendant upon
the Railroad Commission have shown
such Il state of affairs as to destroy the
confidence Of the people in the Commits
sion as at present constituted. DIR. Alb
bolt always votes for what the railroads
want. Mr. Pearson votes consistently
and conscientiously for what he regards
fair reductions. Chairman Caldwell
votes first one way and then another,
but never any way that would displease
the Southern railway.
The Governors various foppings have
been without explanation. He began by
demanding reduction. Then he made
a trade by which he sought to annul all
rate reduction III order to lease the A.
lantic and North Carolina railroad to
the Southern. and actually did bargain
away the States right of appeal. He
begged the Railroad Commissioners not
to reduce rates after he had been clam
oring for it for months. When the rail
was all they wanted)-and declined to
lease the Atlantic and North Caroiin i
railroad. the Governor Topped back for
reduction. As the Governor was flop
ping Caldwell Topped, and it was hard
to tell which could turn a somersault the
faster. They both turned fast enough
to convince the people that political
thunder. &C., controlled their actions.
and that at no time have they been based
upon principle.
The result is the decision that out
RACES the public sense Of right aud fair
treatment The three roads ought to
be fed out of the same spoon. The de-
piece Of that lodging and Hopping which
has made the whole concern Il mere
farce.