The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-11

month or SO and have another hearing
of a question already settled by 1t.
His excellency Governor Russell has
been placed in the attitude of attacking
railroads in North Carolina, especially
the Southern. We must presume that
his actions are taken in good faith, but
| can see no reason in the petitions here
presented why former decisions should
not stand.
It would appear that the citizens Of
North Carolina don't look upon their
Railroad Commission as being able to
decide anything. 1t is simply brought up
again and again with the presumption
that somebody has changed his mind.
There must be such hope in this case
or would not be here again. / can't
think that it is treating this honorable
court with proper respect.
THE allegation here is that the North
Carolina railroad is making - per cent.
That's the question. That must he
proven before this matter can be decid-
ed against this company, and it cannot
be proven because it is not true.
Give us II per cent. 10 per cent, or
even 6 per cent. and we will be sat
iSfied The people who have put their
millions in these Southern railroad prop
critics have never received a cent in re-
turn. We have paid l per cent. ON two
occasions on the preferred stock, and
never a dividend on the common stock.
IF we have made Is per cent. some
body has stolen it. and it is an awful
hard matter to steal money from rail
road. There are too many checks kept
on everybody
Our reports show that this statement
is not true and you can't make out your
case because you cannot prove what is
not true.
1T is in the heart of the great Ameri
can people that people who invest their
money shall be protected. A man may
oppose this principle and live a while
and prosper awhile. but he will be en-
quilted sooner or later
"You may have your preiudices. your
differences of political or religious opin-
ions, your biaz if YOU please. but this
honorable court must, and | know they
do. leave those habilimentq at the outer
door when they come in here to sit in
judgment.
Somebody is bringing this question
up again and again for some purpose"
Colonel Henderson then rehearsed the
figures embodied in the answers filed
by the Southern railroad at length and
With much precision and detail. He de-
cared that it was wrong to bring this
matter up merely to get test case, and
closed with a strong and powerful appeal
to the Commissioners to dismiss the ac-
ton.
Immediately after the assembling of the
Commission in the afternoon. Col. .Ino
a Ia hn. a1o
for the petitioner. Gov. Russell. in the
case against the n. c. r. r. Co, for
a reduction of rates.
Col Hinsdale's was one of the strong
est, fairest and most forcible arguments
that has ever been made before the Com
mission. There was not "A syllable of su-
purfiuouS appeal to clamor or sentiment
no word censure of anybody. or any
company. not an unkind reference to any
company or counsel, but straight
forward, earnest, honest argument
based on facts and figures, tabulated and
submitted He began by declaring that
he had nothing but the kindest feelings
for the Southern Railroad and its Off
Gals.
He thought it hardly necessary to re-
pei what he termed attacks that had been
iliuc OIl Ills tlitnls llit NIONPftlOT OF NUTIn
Carolina, by counsel ON the other side
He believed and he thought others dis
Interested believed that the Governor
was impeled by the highest motives
and in obedience to a duty that he owed
the people of North Carolina.
when the Governor looked into the
reports submitted to the North Carolina
Railroad Commission and found that the
Raleigh and Castor Railroad was max
ing more than Il fair profit on the invest
ment: when he found that the Whining
ton and Weldon Railroad was making
$742, 900 on n tax valuation of S6339. 600
and that the North Carolina Railroad
was making $41S,000 on "A railroad as
sessed for taxes at $3,117,000 or - 4-1O
per cent (all in round figures). 1t oc-
CURED TO the Governor that his duty
to the people Of the State was to bring
these facts to the attention Of the Rail |
road Commission and seek to reduce
these passenger rates, to n point that
will not cripple these railroads, but leave
them fair profit on the money inves-
ted"
The Inter-States Commission has
said that they had no power to regulate
these rates, and this, the North Carolina
Railroad Commission is the only tribunal
to which this people can go for relief"
Effort has been made to convince the