The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-18
THE RUSSELL-ANDREWS DECKER FALLS
THROUGH.

the peoDle. Even those who DO mot De
lieve in the reduction of passenger rates
to the figure named, will be gratitied
that the two Commissioners appointed
bv Governor Russell had the manhood
TO resent his attempt to make them re-
pudiate their actions and become his
aids in surrendering to the railroads.
There is naturally difference of Opin-
ion as TO the rate question, the penalty
suits, the lease investigation, and the
lease of the Atlantic and North Carolina
Railroad. There is no difference any
where among thoughtful men that the
sell and Vice President Andrews, was
one which would bring shame and dis
credit upon the State. The people have
no faith in a man who will blow hot
and cold as Governor Russell has done.
and they have no desire to have public
affains dictated by man like Vice Presi-
dent Andrews. whose politics are like
Jay Gould's. They know there is moth
ing good for the State in any dicker or
deal that Russell and Andrews agree
upon.
The trade which they had made, sub
ject to a backdown by the Commission,
proposed that the people of the State
pay 100000 year Thy Withdrawing the
new passenger rates. and in return the
Southern would pay $4,000 year lease
for the Atlantic and North Carolina
Railr0ad-that is ten dollars out to
every dollar in, to say nothing of the
fact that the Atlantic and North Caro-
lima RI 'lroad is said to be worth over
$4,000 rental. However, that may be,
we do not believe the lease of that road
ought to he made in dicker, but if
made at III it ought to be considered as
an independent proposition. There are
reasons why it would be best for the
State to lease the road, and there are
obvious reasons why the Southern could
afford TO pay more for it than any other
road. But TO deny the whole travelling
public 100000 reduction in exchange for
the rental, without the authority of the
Legislature, would he secret lease
without consulting the people, secured
serve and receive the condemnation of
the whole State. What is the use of
hurrying? 1t is only nine months before
the Legislature meets. The legislators
are fresh from the people. Is it because
they are afraid OF the peoples represen-
tatives that this thing must be done in
a hurry?
Think about it. In the dicker Vice
President Andrews exacts as boot, the
ratification of the 90 year lease of the
North Carolina Railroad, and SimOntons
usurpation of jurisdiction which many
good lawyers believe will be set aside by
the United States Supreme court if the
case is appealed. AS a matter of fact,
whatever may be the decision, the will
ingness of Governor Russell to surrender
his position now proves that he never
was sincere in his fight, or that he has
surrendered to the Southern Railway.
Those who believe the lease not legal
want n judicial determination of the
matter, not in order TO make political
capital, but to make it clear whether so
great wrong 30 pOsterity can be legally
l. ali Of
power. We have never believed the
lease legal. We do not believe so now.
We have not approved of Governor Rus
sells attempt 10 prove moral fraud on
the directors because we have never be
lieved them guilty of moral fraud. The
whole case rests upon legal questions,
upon which lawyers differ. If Governor
Russell believes he was wrong all the
time. or that he is defeated, he ought
not TO make his Acknowledgement of
wrong or defeat the basis of a decker
but ought publicly to ayow his change of
base. Ii is our conviction now, as it has
always been, that the lease ought to be
set aside, and that the pending litigation
ought not to be abandoned, or traded off,
or bartered away for any consideration.
As to the penalty suits which Cover
nor Russell started against Vice Presi-
dent Andrews, we have one clear i'm
precision: If Governor Russell had war
rant of law TO begin these suits, he ought
not to enter into deal TO withdraw
them. If Vice President Andrews is
guilty, and if other railroad officers are
guilty, they should all or more suffer the
penalty Of the law. The Governor should
have fed all out of the same spoon.
The trade" seems to have fallen
through. 1t was conceived in sin and
in its death, none will mourn. The Gov
ernor has surrendered, horse, foot and
drag TO the Southern Railway, after
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