The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-08-09
Whe W(esselwer.
A TURN In THE TIDE

There is one sign discernible of re-
turning reason among some of the Of
ficials connected with the present I'M
holy, unjust, wicked and depraved
state administration. The Messenger
has pointed out the senseless wal
waged by Russell and his tools upon
the great railways of the state that
are indeed such blessings and conven-
fences to the people. 1t has shown the
most unwise, oppressive and ~unconsti-
tutional determinations against the
railways in the way of taxation. We
do not believe any thing more iniqGi-
tous and vile has ever been under
taken in North Carolina by public Of
flciais. Nothing the railroads could
do or have ever done would compare
with it in positive injustice and sin
save to withhold from stockholders
an equitable share of their earnings.
The conduct of Russell and those who
have acted with him in the war Upon
railroads in this state, HIS been with
out justification and with much seri-
Gus injury There has been a spirit of
ceedings that has been as disgusting
as violent and unreasonable.
We said above there was a change
visible, a sign of promise of better and
wiser things. There is an indication
that the railway commissioners are
now being flooded with new light.
They are perhaps firing of the vicious
and implacable ~antagonisms of the
burly governor who thinks that the
chief duty Of man is to hate something
either God Or man, either the demo-
cratic party or railroads or all com
bined. The commission should seek
to secure and hold the good opinion of
the better class of people, the intelli-
gence, the virtue, the patriotism of a
state. 1t is a singular fact that the
violent antagonism to the railroads
has been a manufactured sentiment
altogether. There has been no spon-
taneity in the opposition, but it has
come from a comparatively small class
who have worn collars around their
necks and had rings in their noses
and who have capered when Butler
and Russell cracked their whips and
said nov The Raleigh Post is pre-
clsely correct in saying this:
o this passenger rate question.
not a single complaint has ever been
made by the people or travelling pub
lie demanding a reduction, save by
Governor Russell and his little cOterie
of purblind malignants, who are ac-
tuated not by a high or honorable
Iublic purpose, but to wreak personal
md partisan malice against one cor
I)ration and it's chief officer in his
S ate. The motive which has prompt
Il and the viciOusness which has
t characterized this crusade, begun and
prosecuted by the Russell-Butler COM
binatiOn is without a parallel in the
history of judicial or executive pro-
ceedings in this state"
The proceedings have been lamenta-
BILE, most unWise, most hostile to the
real interests of the state. The spirit
has been d~espicable from first to last,
and Russell has been the chief cook
and bottle-washer" in the entire
wrong doings. The Post says wisely:
but the despicable p%retentiOns of
the Russell proceedings are more h
a hollow mockery. Coming from the
chief executive, the man above all
others sworn to execute fairly, justly
and impartially, the laws, which laws
are made as much, and are as sacred,
for the protection of property as of
liberty or life, it creates, disgust dis
organizes business, and brings the en-
tire administration of public affairs
into disrepute."
1t is high time that the end came.
It is surely a right thing for the COM
mission to do now-to cease to be the
agents of Russell & Co., in their wild,
mad war upon corporations. Ii they
will exercise the functions of their
Office with wisdom and honor-with an
eye single to the good of the state,
and not for revenge or TO serve a Bit
ter, im%placable demagogue, they will
deserve the confidence and approval OF
all good and true North CarOlinians.
Let all purposes to punish go. Let all
narrow and impertinent p~artisanship
be thrown to the winds. Dare to do
right. Dare to seek the ends of justice
and they will sleep better mt COM
mand more of public respect.
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