Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-12
The Future Of the States Railroad.

To those OF us who have had lively rec
election as well as lively interest in this
valuable property OF the state for a quar-
ter Of a century and more. Il is sad
Thought that the commonwealth has
granted priviIeges-without money and
without prfce-by which the State road
has been bottled up at both ends. and its
value thereby greatly reduced and It's in
nuence emasculated-
IL Is a sad commentary on the selfish
greed OF railroad corporations when such
q giant has been tied hand and foot and.
like Samson Of old. shorn Of its strength
As read OF the speculation in railroad
stocks I'm Wall street and was told that
this valuable property was being tossed
around like a helpless log In whirlpool
Of disaster. IL seemed the time had come
70 prepare mourning weeds and to bewail
the loss at funeral obsequies. which are
evidently close at hand
know the rental is expected at the end
Of every month for seventeen years. but
q corporation which had the cheek 10
smite it's benefactor hip and thigh viii
not be scrupulous as 70 the summary end
ing OF the lease.
when the giant is totally helpless. there
viii Be nothing TO do but forfeit a paltry
$4,000 and fling the worthless lease back
upon a deceived and wounded common
wealth.
Mr. Pierpont Morgan would not miss
that amount LTOLI MS week cRCAAAAAAS
money. and we are brought face 70 race
with conditions which were prophesied
thirty odd years agO-that the liberties
Of this republic would be in the grasp Of a
few money kings, and all legislation
would be shaped towards an absolute
money oligarchy-
After grants OF land and corporate
privileges which are beyond estimate.
these railroad kings now crack the whip
over the state of GeOrgia's head and tell
Il to help itself II il can.
When the privilege was granted to run
a parallel road a few miles from the
State road all the way from Dalton to At
lanta. the wedge was inserted which is
now rudely separating the former value
OF the states property from its rOadbed.
II was then a very small matter to build
q continuous line from Chattanooga TO
Atlanta
I am no prophet. but the day is coming
when the state viii bewail its incompetent
legislators as well as it's commercial poll
tics II the effect can be raced TO its
cause. there will be stern Indignation for
the legislators who betrayed the state into
the tolls OF the conspiratOrs-then and
later
II Is frequently said now that the con-
spirators can number and stamp every one
OF It's servants In our legislatures.
II IS common talk that the triumphant
railroad not only passes its judges and So
ifcftnrs over its lines free Of cost. but
when a pleasing verdict is rendered that
extensive tours are provided in vacation
time for the law officials at the railroads
expense
The DeliIahs are not hard TO find. and
the state looks on in helpless suffering to
see how such officials are passed through
a general assembly, when they are up for
reelection. and how combinations are
made TO overcome opposition.
There was a strong EFFORT made TO sell
the states property before the present
lease was authorized. A committee
brought In a majority report for sale
at six millions Of dollars. The small mi
nority on that committee fought the sale.
and finally induced the return OF the ques-
ton 10 a succeeding legislature. when the
people arose in their might and defeated
the sale.
The time has not come yet. but Il will
come in future days. when the state will
give credit 70 the unexampled integrity
and unpurchasable patriotism Of some OF
its legislators.
II was a victory that stood out clear
cut from the trail OF the serpent" and II
does seem a pity that there was INSULT
Client ability TO protect the state in its fine
possessions and continue 70 hand down its
valuable property TO those who will take
up the burdens when all those patriots
have passed from earth.
AS said before. mourning weeds may be
prepared. because the giant has been IA
tally bound. under promises OF friendship.
and the knell Of doom IS heard.
Every day demonstrates the necessity
for the governments ownership Of the
railroads OF this country. Nothing else
viii meet the conditions
When the creature not only splits in the
face Of its creator. but takes the bread
from its creators hands. II is high time
TO recall ownership and place metes and
bounds. II Is the old story OF warming a
snake at the farmers hearth. But one
remedy Is IN sight.