The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1906-03-23

same time the cries of the people are
demanding relief for producers and
shippers. He declared that it Is the
Suty OF Congress to hold an even bal.
ance between these conflicting and
coDtendipg interests.
Senator Tillman inolines to the
view and said he had not the slightest
doubt that it is possible to properly
a1'end the bill 80 as to prohibit the
| circuit Courts from interfering with
the orders Of the Iutsr. state com
merce commission by any interlocutory
order.
The Senate must determine by its
vote what shall be its attitude upon
the question of COURT review and In.
6erlocut0fy 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 deoision of the Supreme Court
shall declare that Congress ia power.
less to grant speedy relief through
commission, 1t needs no prophet to
tell that an Outburst of surprise and
indignation will sweep over the coun.
try"
Summing up the situation he said:
1t is impossible to deny that this
great accumulation of wealth In the
hands Of the few is such 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
critics, for tie robbery Of the masses"
Senator Tillman said:
There is dangerous provision In
this bill which, in my Judgment,
ought to be striken out, ana that Is In
Section Is, where the Interstate COM
merce commission Is told Ito deter
mine and prescribe what will, In It's
J ldgment, be the just and reasona BILE
and fairly remunerative rate etc.
The last words are too elastic and am. i
| biguCus and can be construed to mean
too much that 1T would be harmful
and dangerous for Congress to enact
Into law. Fairly remunerative rate
on what; the actual value or the foti.
tious value Of the properties?"
Senator Tlilman declared there can
be no Justice In compelling the people
as q whole to pay dividends on water
ed stock, primarily to increase the
fortunes of men already too rich.
Whatever else Congress does, or
falls to do" he added. the produo
efs OF the country should be relieved
from such danger of being compelled
TO made good the values of over-oap.
ital.z'd railroads as turks in this in
accent looking and plaust ole provision
about fairly remunerative rates f"
Senator Tillman recommended that
the amendments to the bill be adopt
ed, which would give relief to ''Ghe
anomalous and outrageous condition
)f fairs disclosed as existing In West
Virginia.
Continuing, he said; Vested with
the rights Of eminent domain to con.
struct their Knes and granted libera \
! ses an Sh8rteSs, 6heE rsiircisGs :,
designed to be public carriers for the
benefit Of the whole people, In the
last few years have become rapidly
transformed into the veriest band OF
Robbers -Highwaymen who do not
Chrust their pistols in the faces OF
their victims and demand money or
their lv:s, but who levy tribute In
freight rates, which are as high as the
traffic will bear, deny access to mar
ket, nlOnopoliz, with effronter one of
the prime nesessaries Of life, coal, and
In every way show their absolute con-
tempt for the people and the peoples
right.
Senator Tillman concluded with "a
word OF caution 10 the friends Of the
propos legislation" He said:
Our full expectations may not be
realized at the present session of Con
gress. The opponents or effective
legislation a.e alert, hava had large
experience and are thoroughly organ
ized. The demand of the people for
relief from the expressions and wrongs
they now endure may be thwarted by
the great infiue, G, Of the railroad
corporations. This intiueI cs has hith-
erto been paramount, and It's repre-
sentatives In the two houses may feel
1t Is safe to redress the grievances and
to nJinua the policy Of non, interfer-
ence. They may ignore popular clam
or; and either pass no bill at all or
enact one that will prove wholly In.
adequate. They may palter with us
In double sense:
Keep the word of promise to the
ear And break 1t to the hope"
Such action on their part will In
my judgement, be very unwise and
will only dam up the water. Tue
issue Will be made the paramount one
In theInext election, and those who are
responsible for delay or inadequate
legislation will find that, when at last
the food gate, of popular wrath and
indignation are hoissed there will be
some fine grinding DONE"