The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-08
Spirit of the Press.
IF IT'S ALL TRUE, 1T DID NOT JUS
THY THE CONSPIRACY TO PUT
THE ROAD INTO THE HANDS
OF A RECEIVER.
Charlotte News.

Charlotte News.
We have read in full and with care the
affidavit of eX-Receiver McBee concerning
the mlsmanagement of the Atlantic and
North Carolina Railroad. Summed up, his
charges seem to indicate that the road
paid too much for aXle-grease which it
bought from a North Carolina oil COM
pany; thai it paid too much for wood,
81 so a cord, since convicts could be hired
who would cut two cords day; that peo-
pie were allowed to board at the Atlantic
Hotel last summer and to leave without
paying their board, and that "a passes
were issued to men who were supposed to
be attorneys for the road, when only eight
of them lived on the road itself. The
last two charges are the only ones worth
noticing. The names cannot be supplied
for the free boarders at the Atlantic
Hotel. The list of attorneys given passes
includes the names of Senators Simmons
and Overman, and Representative Small,
Thomas, Patterson and Pou. There are
are doubtless several names III this list
to which passes should never have been
granted. Still we rather suspect that
there would be vehement kick coming
If some one were to throw one of the other
railroads of the State into the hands of
receiver on account of the issue OF a
pass to a local attorney living off the
line. We have not heard the answer to
the affidavit that President Bryan is
ready to make, and he who knows only
one side of question does not know that.
Nevertheless, il seems hard to see, if
the affidavit is true, how it helps exRe-
ceiver McBees case at all. He had moth
ing to do with the Atlantic and North
Carolina Railroad. He was not even a
citizen of North Carolina. He conspired
with another man, not a stakeholder, to
arrange for the holding of some stock, to
bring a sudden action before the Federal
court, and to get himself appointed receiv-
er. Even if the mismanagement of the
road is found to have been by the Gov
errors committee much worse than the
ridiculously puerile statements of Mcf3ee
make it out to be, it should not and we
believe will not avail him in the charge
now pending against him and Finch for
conspiracy.
And then just q word to our contem-
poraries that are clamoring for lease of
the road We do not know anybody that
is opposed to lease on the proper con-
ditions. But consider: The Atlantic and
North Carolina belongs to the State of
North Carolina. We are all a part of the
State. We should be all selfshly inter
ested in getting the best bargain we can
for the State when the lease is made.
Now no prospective seller goes about pro-
claiming the low condition of that which
he wishes to sell, and his resolve to sell
anyway and on any terms. That would
be foolish, would it not, beloved? And is
not that foolishness just what some of us
are guilty of? In attempting to cover up
cur tracks as to the commencing of that
poor little conspiracy, resulting in the re-
ownership of brokendown railroad man,
are we not selfishly endangering the in
terests of the State by dccrying our own
property and proclaiming to the world
that we are just bound TO sell II or lease
il on any terms and at the earliest mo-
ment? 1t strikes us that way.