The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-02-24

this train between Charleston and Co
lumbia as "traveling."
The real reason Of the failure OF the
Coast Line train to do its duty by the
public is that 1t regards convenience of
the tourist traius from the North as a
higher claim. We IRE sure, however,
that the authorities of the Atlantic
Coast Line could give the peoples good
excuse. Indeed, when you present
your grievance to the Coast Line you
may hear the touching refrain
sob, Mr.. Johnsing, turn me loose!
I've got no money but a good excused"
THE ADVERTISER dislikes to be
placed among newspapers that are
prejudiced towards corporations. We
have a kindly feeling towards any rail
way company that manifests a reasona-
bly, fair spirit to thepeop'e who patron.
lie it. No newspaper has less tolera-
tion for unjust taxation schemes aimed
against railways and unfair verdicts
rendered against them. But the ques-
WIN Ut 1oOot GU O 40 XII bOtlttoIJ 10
concerned, Is the Atlantic Coast Line
Railway Company a public enemy?
That question will not down. How is
it possible for the people dependent up
on this railway company to view it
without prejudice? 1t may be just and
proper for the travelling population of
this part of South Carolina to suffer
inconvenience In behalf of the North
ern people who go to Florida and Incl
dentally In behalf of the Atlantic Coast
Line but they stubbornly refuse to see
it that way. Nevertheless, we hope
that the Coast Line will mend its ways.
Buying Protection.
Suppose you suspected that a man
was about to rob you and it lay in your
power to employ a detective to watch
him and to force the robber to pay the
detective for his W A-would you do it?
Ii you desired and expected protection,
wouldn't you pay the detective your
self? Would you look for any services
Of value from a police officer in the pay
of the man you feared, even If you did
have the power Of appointing and dis
missing that officer?
Members of the general assembly ex-
hibited sound common sense in oppos-
ing the provision of the bill to create
the Office of oil inpector that he should
be paid by the companies. From the
Standard Oil Company's paying the
salary of an oil Inspector and buying
the oil inspector would be a short step.
1t is difficult in any circumstances to
prevent the Standard Oil Company
from buying public officers.
The law by which the railway COM
panies pay the salaries of the commits
sioners is most ridiculous. When ex-
penses are added to the railway COM
panies, the railway companies in some
way or other must earn those expenses.
In the long run, the people, therefore,
pay the salaries of the railway COM
missioners.
If the people of South Carolina need
the services of railway commissioners,
VA oi AuSpooIuFoJ Uuey muSG pay IOr
them-else they won't get them. 1t is
possible for a man to be a railway COM
missioner and to be an honest servant
OF the people at the same time. Most
things are possible. But to ask a man
to receive his bread and butter from
the hands OF a powerful corporation
onca e month and at The same time to
serve another master, the people, all
the time, is imposing an unnecessary
task on frail human nature.
Meanwhile, the general assemblies
are frequently ready to create new Of
fees, for the benefit of some lean and
furnishing politician, provided they can
plausibly explain that it "costs the
people nothing" 1t is a miserable and
cheap form of false pretense. II a pub
lie office is worth anything to the peo-
pie, it is worth paying for by the peo-
ple-- a truth that is so plain and evil
dent that to state it should be to prove
it.
TuE M lTII DIM A r nv