People's voice., 1899-12-14

"Listen to this Mary" he said after
moment, while his voice trembled.
"This morning Alexander Powers,
superintendent Of the L. and T. R. R.
shops in this city, handed his resigna-
tion to the road and gave as the reason
the fact that certain proof had fallen
into his hands Of the violation of the
interstate commerce law, and also Of
the state law, which has recently been
framed to prevent and punish railroad
pooling for the benefit Of certain "a
vored shippers Mr.. Powers states in
his resignation that he can no longer
consistently withhold the information
he possesses against the road He has
placed his evidence against the COM
pany in the hands Of the commission.
and it is now for them to take action
upon It
"The News wishes to express itself
on this action Of Mr.. Powers In the
first place, he has nothing to gain by
it. He has lost a valuable place volua-
tarily when by keeping silent he might
have retained it In the second place.
we believe his action ought to receive
the approval of all thoughtful. honest
citizens who believe in seeing law
obeyed and lawbreakers brought to JUS
tice. In case like this, where evidence
against railroad company is generally
understood to be almost impossible to
obtain. it is the general belief that the
officers Of the road are often in posses
sion Of eliminating facts, but DO not
consider it to be any of their business
to inform the authorities that the law
is being defed
"The entire result Of this evasion of
responsibility on the part Of those who
are responsible is demoralizing to every
young man connected with the road
The editor Of The News recalls the
statement made by a prominent rail.
road official in this city little while
ago that nearly every clerk In a certain
department Of the road who understood
how large sums Of money were made by
shrewd violations of the interstate COM
merce law was ready to admire the
shrewdness with which it was done and
declared that they would all do the
same thing if they were high enough in
railroad circles to attempt it. This was
actually said in one of the general Of
fees OF a great western railroad. to the
authors knowledge.
"lt Is not necessary to say that such
a condition of business is destructive
to all the nobler and higher standards
OF conduct, and no young man can live
in such an atmosphere of unpunished
dishonesty and lawlessness without
wrecking his character.
"ln our Judgment, Mr.. Powers did
the only thing that a Christian man
can do. He has rendered brave and use
full service to the state and the general
public. 1t is not always an easy matter
to determine the relations that exist be-
tween the individual citizen and his
fixed duty to the public. In this case
there is no doubt in our mind that the
step which Mr.. Powers has taken com
mends itself to every man who believes
In law and its enforcement. There are
times when the individual must act for
the people in ways that will mean sac
rltice and loss to him of the gravest
character. Mr.. Powers will be misr1n-
derstood and misrepresented. but there
is no question that his course will be
approved by every citizen who wishes
TO see the greatest corporations as well
as the weakest individual subject to the |
same law Mr.. Powers has done all that |
a loyal, patriotic citizen could do. It !
now remains for the commission to act |
upon his evidence, which. we under
stand, Is overwhelming proof of the |
lawlesSness Of the L. and T. Let the
law be enforced, no matter who the
persons may be who have been guilty"
Henry Maxwell finished reading and
iropped the paper.
Il must go and see Powers This is
ihe result of his promise.
de rose, and as he was going out his
wife said:
DO you think, Henry. that Jesus
would have done thati"
Henry Maxwell paused a moment
Then he answered slowly:
"Yes; l think he would. At snv rate
Powers has decided so. and each one Of
is who made the pgsAnise understands
hat he Is not dectling Jesus conduct
or any one else, only for himself"
"How about bis family, How will
drs Powers and Celia be likely to take
tt"
Very hard. ! have no doubt. That
will be Pousrs' cross in this matter
They will not understand his mot;ve''
Henry Maxwell went ont and walked
ver to the next block. where the srl-
lived To his relief. Pow.
rs himself c'me 10 the door.
The two men shook hands silently
hey instantly understood eaoh other
without words There had never been
uch bond Of rnNn betweeo the mir
ster and hs 1aSisAionec
What are va going 10 dot" Henry
laxwell asked att~ they had talkea
yer the facts In shs ooee and considered
hem well
You mean another positioni I have
o plans'yet can go back to nv old .