The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-10-21
THE PRESIDENTS GOOD EN-
AMPLE.

The railroads extend no cOurteSleS
pure and simple to public officials.
They expect a return for every pass
issued OF course they know that
some public men will accept private
cars and passes and not be influenced
by such acceptance in the perform
ance of their public duty. But they
always say, behind the lack of such
official. THAT fellow is an migrate. He
let us haul him about and feed him
and now he is doing us dirt"
The fact that Mr. Roosevelt pays
the expenses of his train has won a
large measure of respect from the
people. They see that it means he
owes no obligations, though, of course
an incumbent of that great office
might accept a train full without feel
ing it necessary to be influenced by it.
But the only safe rule for any public
tation. AS to judicial officers, it is
highly improper for them to accept
favors from litigants, and railroads
are always litigants in their courts.
In North Carolina no State or coun-
ty official accepts pass or special
rate without violating his oath of Of
fee. and nearly all of them are too
honorable to do that. Some Federal
Judges and other Federal officials
seem to forget that the Federaf
statute makes it a crime for them to
ride on passes. The reason is that
the Inter State Commerce Commission
is denied the power President Roose-
welt and the National Democratic
platform says should be conferred
upon it, and railroads and railroad Of
ficials hold its advisory rulings in con-
tempt
The average man in America has
very much the feeling expressed by
who had a suit against q certain rail-
road. Before the case came for trial
the man learned that the presiding
judge travelled on pass. He told his
lawyer about it and requested him to
refuse to try before a judge who was
under obligations to the defendant in
the case. The lawyer refused to do so,
his client would lose his case. But
the Georgian was SO convinced that
he could not get justice from a pass
toting judge that he made up his
mind to do for himself what his law
yer declined to do. When the case
was called and lawyers on both sides
said ready" the plaintiff rose and
said:
MAY it please your honor. l am
the plaintiff in this case against the
A. b. & c. railroad. May 1 ask you
a question:"
Certainly" replied the judge.
DO you ride on a pass on the A. b.
& G.. railroad?'
The Judge grew furious, imposed a
fine for contempt of court, the lawyer
protested that he washed his hands
of the insult offered by his client, and
things were prettv blue in that court
room for awhile But, after the trial
was over and the Georgian had Won
his case he said to his lawyer: Il
know il is said that man who is his
own lawyer has u fool for a client, but
If l hadn't shown that the judge was,
under personal obligations to the A.
b. & c. road, l would have lost my
case. That question made him lean
against the railroad and in my favor
in order to prove he was not influenced
by the pass 1t no doubt happens
that pass toting officials in their de-
termination to stand straight some
times lean backwards. Therefore,
e,fa inf 10 f.
fetal should pay his fare. The Presi-
dent has set a good example and all
officials should emulate it.