The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-22
jim CROW CAR
BILL PASSED.
Continued from LIST page.)

Speaking to this amendment. Mr.. Nc
Lean argued that if properly presented
to the House this amendment would
pass: that it was founded in Justice and
equity.
The railroads recognize the fact that
the people of North Carolina are unani-
nous in their demand for separate cars.
They are not resisting it. but they want
some corresponding concession
lie went on to point ont the magnani-
nifty of the railroads in agreeing to one
fare. He told how two-thirds of the
tickets sold were first-class tickets at
81 cents; the other third are second
class tickets at 2a4 cents. He called at
tcntlon. therefore. to the immense loss
the roads would sustain by cutting all
fares down to one straight three-cent
fare. And yet. he said, they were willing
TO DO so.
For this he praised railroads, calling
them the States great developers, and
cautioning the House against stroking
them the wrong way.
The corporations came to our relief in
the last campaign. They helped us re-
deem the State, and we ought not so
soon forget.
heartily iii favor of two cars. was OPP
posed 20 raising rates for the poorer
calss of people in North Carolina.
Under this amendment (McLeans)
the rich mans rate is reduced quarter
of a cent and the poor mans rate is
raised quarter Of d cent. / don't un
derstand the philanthropy of a railroad
anyway. When they grow magnanimous
/ grow suspicious. While they are if
such a magnanimous mood why not
come down to 2ai cents-the poor mans
raie.'
Judge Allen agreed with Mr.. Robin
son that the Legislature couldn't afford
to put mp rates.
Mr.. Winston spoke to his am ndment
arguing that a law leaving some discre
ton with the Railroad Commission
would be better than an iron-clad rule
applying to strong and weak alike.
Mr.. Leatherwood. of Sw ain, had also
commenced preaching the beauties of
discretionary power. when Mr.. Justice
interrupted to say that the Railroad
Commissions already had that discretion
but had never used it though they had
been asked to do SO.
Mr.. Allen read the law and pointed
out that the only difference between the
act proposed by Mr. Winston and the
present. Railroad Commission Act is that
Mi. Winstons bill makes it compuisorr
to establish separate cars, while the old
law leaves it discretionary.
Mr.. Craig opposed the one-fare propo-
sition, but he favored Mr.. Winston's bill
puttin@. the whole matter i'll the hands
Of the Railroad Commission.
H. ~, rrr.ll# 80 t4f.,,,,anf.,, vac onnoc-
cd to the ont-farc. but he thought either
a good one.
the Mclean bill with the onc-fare clause
. stricken out.
Mr.. Allen. of Wayne. again called at
teltion to the fact that the old Railroad
Commission Act did all that was pfopos-
ed in either the Winston or Mclean
bill.
II thought gentlemen who were clam
oring for separate car bill. really wanted
one But instead of that here they
come with bills and amendments that
will accomplish nothing more than can be
done BY i change in three or four words
Of the Railroad Commission Act
Amend that. if You don't want a
car bill and don't try to fool yourself
or any body else into the belief that
you are doing anything else. Pm OPP
posed to any pretence. II You are going
TO pass a separate car bill, well and
good. if not why lets simply amend the
Railroad Commission Act and settle the
whole matter.
With this the previous question was
called.
All amendments were voted down and
the bill was passed on its second read
inr