The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-31

cast upon the railways the Duruen VI
rebutting that case. could Oliell,
until the decision of the Supreme court
Of the United States, have SUSTAINED my
| vote. but when the railways, by les"i
| evidence, made it appear that .he
| duced rates would not Se 1dir anu
reasonable and would result an TOSS 10
| the roads. | could not feel tiiat u true
| Judgment had been rendered III dccoic-
| ance with the evidence. IL taie ueci,
SION Of tbe court above alluded to, and
I..e.a,,,,, oe tho Nebraska decision, us adj
| hnrad TO the attempt to reduce rates
- vain and futile. Unless and until more
| ayidonce can he offered than was before
| tbo Commission, it will end in litigation,
Tho final result of which is predestined.
Sitting MS a judicial officer | cannot
narmit nv desires to override what
know TO be any duty. This is n govern
mont of law and those to whom its
| administration is entrusted must execute
MS they find it, without regard to public
opinion.
'Your Excellency has been kind to
me, and / assure you of my continued
respect. hut fearing YOU will not con-
cur with me i'm the course j take, and
desiring not to embarrass YOU, my
resignation is at your disposal. | have
acted with my oath of office before my
eyes.
Every respectfully,
II. G. CALDWELL"
Having read this letter Mr.. Caldwell
added, by way of explanations:
My motives may be impugned, but 1t
is a matter between me and the only per-
son to whom I'm responsible. / regret
it. but my oath taken on several occa-
sions prompts me to this act. It's a
matter that has given me immense trou-
BILE; but I'd rather feel that I've done
right than have the State. | shall assal
no ones motive. | suppose, for political
purposes, though, some people will criti-
else and abuse me. but | can't stand
back for that when | think I'm doing
Eight.
I'm this instance / think I'm right
aud | therefore move to again take M
the passenger rate question and set aside
the former decision of the Commission"
Pearson-''I amend that motion to the
effect that we again take up the pas
senger rate question and adopt the
judgments proposed by me at a former
session of the Commission
Caldwell-''That is substitute and
not an amendment. Do you make Il
motion to reconsider
pearson-"I do not
Caluwell-"All in favor of resembling
the order of the Commission reducing
passenger rates on certain roads in the
State say Aye"
Abbott and Caldwell voted aye, and
Pearson voted no.
Pearson-"Mr Chairman, i desire to
enter my protest on the record against
resembling the former action of this
Commission by reducing the passenger
rates. there being no evidence produe-
ed at the hearing of the exceptions that
in my opinion justifies such procedure.
My protest is in the name Of the com
mon people OF North Carolina, who re-
cciye no Illegal fayors ut the hands Of
these corporations. but pay their fares
thereby enabling the railroad companies
to make large profits and to pay enor-
nous salaries TO their officials, the pres
ident Of one system alone. il is said. re-
ceiving as much as the chief executive
o. The nation
CALDWELL evidence have you of
large salaries. Mr.. Pearsong
Pearson-'1 have a right sir, to make
my record and give reasons for it with
ont being questioned about it,
Caldwell-'I'm not questioning that.
SIR
Pearson Now sir. I desire to make
the following motion: That OH and after
the 18th Of April the minimum charge
for mileage tickets OF two thousand
miles shall be $40. and the maximum
charge for 1000 mile tickets shall he
$50 on the following systems in
North Carolina. including their branch
lines. to wit: The Atlantic Coast Line,
the Seaboard Air Line. the Southern
Railway. said tickets or mileage books
TO be valid on presentation by their hol-
der. and good for first class passage on
any passenger train on their respective
lines by any persons presenting said
mileage books without limitation to indi-
yiduals."
Would Won not prefer TO
summon these folks here to show cause
WHY they shonld not do this?'
Pcarson--"No. / want that resolution
passed lust ms it isl
Abbott-"If you'l make it to show
cause I'm with YOU"
Caldwell proposed a resolution very
much to the same effect. calling on the
roads TO show cause. and said he thought