The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-17
CURRENT TOPICS.
The Railroads Of the South.

U0 ndItTOdOS Ot Ute 0OutfIs
A Reidsville dispatch to the Charlotte
Observer says that the Southern Rail
way is preparing to doube-track its
line from Lynchburg to Charlotte. This
innovation in Southern railroading is
rendered expedient and even necessary
by the heavy traffic on that important
section Of the Souti's greatest railroad.
it will not be SO very long before double
tracks are the rule on all great Southern
systems, If this section continues to ad-
vance industrially and commercially as
1t has been doing of late. What strides
the railroads of the South have made
in few years! It seems only, yesterday
that the old Richmond and Danviile,
with it's unballasted single tracks and
incomplete equipment, was the model
railroad OF this territory. The Richmond
and Danville became the Southern and
the Southern has become one Of the
great systems of the country-great in
mileage, in the excellence OF its roadbed
and the elegance Of it's equipment. And
now double tracks! Then : it will be
only short time before the Southern
has a double track from Washington to
Atlanta and Savannah, and the other
systems will have to follow suit The
South's day has passed the da~n.-Char-
1otte Observer.
Who is Responsible
The Index-Appeal of the 9th contains
an interesting editorial under the cap,
ton, is the Fight to Be Factional?,'
based upon the statement contained in
letter from Richmond published in the
Washington Star, s'that the guberna-
torial fight of "a year ago is being re-
newed all along the lines in the pending
congressional race, and that the success
full faction of a year ago has marked the
supporters of Mr.. Swanson for sacrifice"
The Index-Appeal says that this as
serton is important If true and if it is
true it is amazing for the extent OF
political impolicy and folly. OF party
infidelity and bad faith which 1t reveals
1t deprecates any such action as likely
to prove destructive of party harmony
and proceeding inquiries.
Now who is responsible for this APP
parent effort to breech the harmony Of
the Democratic party on an issue that
has been settled and accepted?
If our esteemed and respected Peters
burg contemporary will tell sus who was
responsible for the recently attempted
gerrymander made in the apportionment
bill passed by the Legislature and vetoed
by Governor Montague. we. think We, can
with reasonable certainty give the in
formation called for by its inquiry. Who
ever was responsible for the attempted
gerrymander. whether Mr.. Swanson's or
Mr. MontaEue's friends and supporters.
is also responsible for what our contem-
porary now complains of and classes as
an apparent effort to breech the har-
nony of the Democratic party" The au-'
thor and supporters. of the apportion'
ment scheme, wisely vetoed by the Cow
ernor. threw the first stone and started
the fight The bill disclosed the cloven
foot and made plain the spirit by which
it's sponsors and its. advocates are ami
mated, and they now have no right to
complain or cause for surprise If those
at whom their blow was aimed should,
in the frailty of their atures, forgetfui
of the teaching of the Saviour on the
Mount resort to the lex-talonis and
repay them in their own coin Men have
not vet attained to that degree. either
of moral or political perfection. that will
impel them when ''smitten on the one
cheek to turn tho other Also They
rather cling to the old Jewish law of ga n
eye for an eye and a tooth for q tooth"
and as long as mans nature remains
what it is, with his combative instincts
fully developed and but little restrained
by the benign teachings of Christianity,
it will be idle and worse than folly for
those who strike a. blow not to expect
and be prepared to receive one in re-
turn. Those who start fuss are re-
sponsible- for its OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
wick Gazette. Is