The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1906-05-31


Itmay be said II passing that II was
openly charged atthat time that me bill
was prepared bs railroad attorneys Az
toths truth Of tnis charge W. know moth
Ing However, when tie billlwas semitic
Governor Leedy after 4 carefulexamina-
ton of 1t, Bio refused p sight, giving
bis reasons ID 1 most vigorous VETO mes
aags. Here Il the opinion expressed BY
Governor Lsedy in regard to this bill
champicned BY Senator Harris. He says
in biz message, found On page 1913 Of
House journal, 1897; N n Il
ssFirst, tho bill pnrgssts no way by
which On aggrieyed shipper can secure
practical rellsf.
SECOND, the penalties named are 90
hsdged about that they will neither COM
pei obedience to the terms Of the law nor
enforce subsection to tho orders of ths
commission.
ssThird, BY its express terms the Dill
makes of the railroad commission mere
Justice OF tho peace court, from which
lltigants pass to the district ito begin
ANEW tho trial Of their cause, but fails to
give this tribunal even tho power to COM
pei attendance and to enforce IT. DEGREES,
with which that less august fnnctlonary
ID gifted.
Fourth. offering the shipper no de-
fensible advantage that IL not BIB under
the present legislation, and securing 70
him no means Of redrsss that Is not bis
already By virtue Of the ancient principles
Of the common law, this bill actually cir
eumscribes the rights that be would have
under the common law, In that II induces
him to astruggle before the railroad COM
mission, which only lands him In the
district csur, In no better position than
that Of his contemporary who begins his
action there without reference to this
statute, but who has not lost the time
consumed before the commission. ga'
Fifth, the bill itself offers opportunity
and suggestion for such an infinite array
Of technical complications that It 10 diff
cult to see hew anything can be definitely
accomplished under Its provisions. 4
"Sixth, an attempt on the part Of tho
railroad commission to 90 into court and
enforce there their recommendations
would involve the expenditure Of large
sums Of money for which this legislature
has made no appropriation, and without
which the bill would DO wholly ineffectu.
ii, leaving the commissioners with
neither power to give effect to their
opinions nor to have them heard in the
,ourt Of justice which can enforce its
DEGREES"
"The penalties named are 50 hedged
lbout that they will neither compel obedl-
,noe to the terms Of the law nor enforce
Iubjection to the orders Of the commits
Jion."
"Whilc section s attempts to establish
IN anti.pass regulation, It does so in ap-
parent obliviousness Of the title Of the
ill, and 10, In any event, 90 qualified by
cotton rs, which permits the issuance Of
excursion or communication pas
eDgsr tickets, that u is probably Of no
value whatever II there should
70 any disposition to evads its terms
There 10 about this bill general air Of
ndeHniteness and uncertainty, discern-
BILE to the moat casual inspection, which
Gems to me to be open to vast array
4 legal technical objections. With such
future before 70. 1t 10 almost impossible
0 hope that any enforcement Of Ito pro-
isisns can be had which would be OF
ny real or practical value to those who
COMPLAIN OF the charges and the methods
1 the great railroad corporations
The message Of Governor Leedy Is too |
sngthy to quote entirely, but II is fair to
ay that throughout 1t is q very vigorous
Of bis side Of the case and
GEMS to sustain the contention that is
made that the law ohamploued by Sena-
or Harris was not as strong as the rail-
Dad law that then existed, and infinitely
weaker than the present railroad law
asssd BY the Legislature Of 1905.
We do not charge that there was any
orrupt deal between Senator Harris and
hs railroad companies, or between him
nd the sleeping ear companies; but It 10
srtainly fair to say that he At least did
OF show any great desire at that time to
urb the rapacity Of these corporations.
Is altogether probable that Senator
Iarris was entirely conscientious In bis
dyocacy OF this bill, but II 1t 10 aggres-
I've action against railroad corporations
bat 10 wanted, we would ask what there
Ii his record to justify anyone In be-
ewing thai II he should be elected GOV.
rnor or the state 81 Kansas be would