The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1906-03-22

| SulGs .VgiD6SOrCA L3oE o0 "AA0 ASocAoS VI
| this discussion In the Senate, Il the
lbill becomes a Law In the final deter.
mfustion OF the question at issue must
/ be made By the Supreme Court. "Tbere
LIS, he said, even greater solicitnde
upon the question Of judicial review.
| Senator Tillman added that at the
same time the cries of the people are
demanding relief for producers and
shippers. He declared that 1t Is the
duty of Congress to hold an even bal.
snce between these conflicting and
contending interests.
Senator Tillmsn incltnes to the
view and said he had not the slightest
doubt that IL is possible TO properly
amend the bill 30 as to prohibit the
Circuit Courts from interfering with
the orders Of the Inter. State COM
merce commission by any interlocutory
order.
THE Senate must determine by its
vote whau shall be it's attitude upon
the question of Court review and in
terlocutory suspensions. The whole
question at issue as to giving relief to
producing interests Of the country re-.
wolves around this feature Of the bill.
II any decision of the Supreme Court
shall declare that Congress is power.
less to grant speedy relief through a
commission, it needs no prophet to
tell that an outburst Of surprise aud
indignation will sweep over the coun.
try"
Summing up the situation he said:
lit is impossible to deny that this
great accumulation of wealth in tine
aands Of the few is such a menace to
liberty that the honest patriot stands
appalled, by the outlook.
After commenting at length upon
what he declared to be the existing
system of Juggling with railroad prop
sr5les, "for the robbery Of the masses, ="
Senator Tiliman said:
"There is a dangerous provision IN
this bill which, in my Judgment,
ought to be striken out, and that Is in
Section Is, where the Interstate CON-
merce commission is told Ito deter
mine and prescribe what will, in its
Judgment, ba the just and reasonable
sud fairly remuneratiVe rate etc.
TIE last words too elastic and am.
bigucus and can be construed to mean
too much that it would be harmful
and dangerous for Congress to enact
into law. Fairly remunerative rate
or what; the actual value or the fcui'
tious value, of the properties?"
Senator Tillman declared there can
be Nd Justice in compelling the people
IS whole to pay dividends on water
ed stock, primarily to increase the
fortunes Of men already too rich.
.'Whateyer else Congress does, or
fails to do" he added. 1.-THE produc.
ers Of the, country should be relieved
from such danger Of being compelled
to made good the values of oVer-cap.
italizsd railroads as turks in this in
nccsnt-looking and plaust 9le provision
about fairly re,rpoerative rates }"
Senator Tiilnan recommended that
the amendments to the bill be adopt
ed, which would give relief to the
anomalous and outrageous condition
of affsirs disclosed as existing In West
Virginia.
Continuing, he said; Vested with
the rights of eminent domain to con.
strucb their lines Ind granted liberal
franchises and charters, the railroads
designed to be public carriers for the
bans6t Of the whole people, In the
last few years have become rapidly
transformed into the veriest band OF
acknowledgements who do not
thrust their pistols in the faces OF
their victims and demand money or
their livas, but who levy tribute in
freight rates, which are as high as the
traffic will bear, deny access to mar
ket, nonopoliz, with effronter one OF
the prime nessssaries Of life, coal, and
in every way show their absolute COZ
tempt for the psopls and the peoples
right.
Senator Tillman concluded with "a
word Of caution to the friends Of the
proposel legislation" He said:
Our full expectations may not bs
realls3d at the present session OF Con
grsss. The opponents OF effective
legislation are alert, have had large
experience and are thoroughly organ
lied. The demand of the people for
relief from the expressions and wrongs
they now endure may be thwarted by
the great infue1 c, Of the railroad
corporations. This iEfuerce has hith-
erto been paramount, and its repre-
senoatives in the Two houses may feel
it is safe to redress the grievances and
to continue the policy Of non interf5i-
ence. They may ignore popular clam
or; and either pass no bill at all OF
enact one that will prove wholly In.
adequate. They may palter with US
In q double sense:
Keep the word OF promise to the
esr And break it to thu hope"
"Sucl action on their part will 1n
my judgement, be very unwise and
will orly DIM up the water. Tlo
issue will be made the paramount one
iu the,neZt election, and those who are
responsible for delay or insdequete
legislation will ind that, when at last
the fl .od gates OF popular wrath and
ind:gai5ion are holssed there will bs
some fine grinding DONE"