The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-25
BILL TO SUPPRESS THE
 ROBBERIES OF TRAINS
Hon. 4. A. Wiley Urges the Adoption of His Meas. ure--COngreSS Has Power to Deal
 With the HighWaymen.

On the bill QI R. l14l2). for the sup preston of train robberies in the Terri tories. of the United States and other places, and for other purposes, MT. whey said:
 MT. Chairman-It can not be denied that train robbing and wrecking, ofttimes Accompanied by loss of life, have become 70 alarmingly frequent in this country within the past ten years that the grave and serious problem now confronts us. What is the most effioacious method or stopping this crime? The arming of train , crews and the use by railway and ex-- press companies of so-called burglar-proof cars and safes have all proven of but little value or potency either as means of prevention or suppression. It Is mani. fest. therefore, that the most simple and effective way of resisting and checking. if not preventing, this growing evil is to have national legislation enacted on the country have become alarmed and arous- ed. They realize the fact that the State tribunals as a general proposition are powerless either to prevent or punish these robberies. It will require national legislation to have deterrent effect or Influence on thls diabolical class of crim- finals. Prosecution of these outlaws in the United States courts, with the com prehensive and powerful machinery of the Government behind them, will strike them with terror and do much toward the ac- complishment of a purpose so ardently desired by the law-abiding and peace loving people of the American Union.
 The newspapers generally throughout the countryside influential. fearless and aggressive leaders of public thought portant subject. with the result that there IS today everywhere throughout our bor- ders, from Maine to California. from the North to the Gulf of Mexico, an all most universal demand that Congress shall imediately adopt some adequate measure of relief. Our leading Southern na1x are urging Congress to take prompt ac- fion and to confer on the Federal courts Jurisdiction and authority, concurrent with the State tribunals. to apprehend: try, and punish these desperadoes and cut-throats.
 The late lamented Wade Hampton, a distinguished citizen and soldier of the Senator from South Carolina, and the Commissioner of Railroads under the Cleveland Administration, in the Decem- Der number, 1894; of the North American on our Railroads used this emphatic language:
 ssThe epidemic of train robbery seems and no section appears to be safe from the attacks of the lawlsss desperad pes who commit t..is crime, and who: in many instances. add to their atrocities the crime of murder. Recently, in the near vicinity of the National Capital. one of the most daring and most successful of these rorberies was committed. and, but for the intelligent investigation of the de- tectives. the perpetrators would have es- capped. Inc this alarming condition of affairs any suggestion which, while call Ing attention to it, proposes any remedy may deserve the attention of the author ities and of the public.
 Every citizen Is interested in the eff fort to break up this fearful crime. and especially those whose business or pleas ure calls them to travel on the railroads. Nor is it alone the duty of the citizens to devote all aid in their power to pre- vent this crime and punish the crin:' '- uals, but 1t behooves the General Gov ernment to take active and decisive steps tn the same direction. That the Govern ment has authority to do this l think Is perfectly clear. No one will deny that ft Is the duty of the Government to pro t.ct the lives and property of its citizens. to see that the transportation of the mails Is unobstructed, and to guard against all violence that Jeopardizes any of these ts the duty of the Government to take prompt and active measures to put a stop 10 these cowardly and murderous crimes. perpetrated by thieves and assasSins.
 The declaration of this gifted and bril- liant gentleman comes to us like a voice from the grave. It is a bugle call to the discharge of patriotic duty.
 I wish to say to my Southern Demo- cratic friends on this side of the Cham Der, some of whom are opposed to this measure manifestIy through a misappre-
 
 and wherever Gen. Wade Hampton, of the Old Palmetto State. has pointed the way. you and 1 can afford to follow. A gentleman of dignity and honor. of truth and courage, of learning and integrity. he was known throughout the Union for his long and consistent devotion to the principles of Jeffersonfan Democracy, and was recognized everywhere as an able and eloquent advocate of State sovereign ty home rule, and local self-government: a gentleman who was par Inter pares among those whom the gifts of genius have placed in the front rank of South ern men; gentleman who, by his varied accomplishments, as well as by his in- timate acquaintance with the Constitution and laws of his country, presented to the world magnificent type of what the Southern statesman, the solid foundation surmounted with the Corinthian column, was before the old romance had been dissipated and the spontaneous impulse had departed from Southern life in the disruption of Southern institutions.
 A tall man. sun crowned. who lived above
 the fog.
 In public duty and in private thinking. No one who knew him or his antece- dents ever doubted his wisdom or patri- otism. He wore upon his brow the dig nifty and glory of kingly power. Above his head waved the white plume of a dauntless heroism. His stand was always on the side of law and order. for vested rights and social security. Having de- Iiberateiy reached the conclusion that the State courts are well-nigh powerless to prevent these robberies and to bring these Tnarauders to swift and condign punish ment, he had the manhood and the cour- age not only to declare that fact, but also to recommend that Congress, which alone has power to legislate in respect to interstate comerce or to regulate the same, should not hesitate to confer upon the Federal courts, concurrently with the State courts. ample Jurisdiction to arrest. try, and punish these devils in human shape.
 The following is the record of train robberies in the United States for the past ten years:
 ESQ.,, .. .. .. 12 lS9l.. ...s..''...'.''''ss''''''. 10 lS92.. .......s'......''.''''''' 10 1S93.. .s.'s.'.''s.''.'''''' oo 1884,. s....s..s...'s''.''''..'s.. ot l890.. .. ..:.............''''''s''. tJ 1896.. e. .........''''''.'..'..'.'. Eo f897.. s.'''''''''' ''''.-'''''''''' oV lS9s.. .. .. .. e. ............................ 8 tS99.. .......'''.''.'''''.'.' 10 Total number of trains held up" dur
 ing eleven years. ...!. .!.,'.........ZSO Total number of people killed. .......... 95 Total number of people injured (shoD. 9S
 Record for 1900.
 Number of train "hold-ups". .,........... % Number of stage robberies:. ...,....... s mHzw.a