The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-10-11
mHERE IS ne IssuEa

railroads had a right 10 m
terfere in and consequently to
dominate the politics OF the State,
the Nashville Tennessean declares
that the issue is squarely joined on
this question. The Americans de-
tense of its masters in politics. the
railroads-wasp redicated uponthe idea
that these great interests must take
hand in the making Of laws and the
election Of those charged with their
execution. in order to protect them
selves. These propositions are very
properly and very vigorously contro-
verted by the Tennessean.
However, in this controversy the
American has the decided advantage
of its Nashville contemporary. The
American is wrong There is no sort
of excuse for the railroads in politics.
Not even the old discredited liquor
crowd was more corrupting in It's
influence upon the public life OF Ten
nessee than the pernicious activity
of the Louisville and Nashville and
other self-seeking public service cor
porations has. been. The time has
come when the railroads should be
made to Understand that they must
keep their meddling hands out Of the
politics Of Tennessee. The people ac-
cept the challenge of the organ OF the
railroads, and we are bold enough to
predict that before the adjournment
of the next Legislature the railroads
will regret that they did not adopt a
safer If less valorous course.
But the American has at least the
virtue of consistency. The American
is sincere in its utterances and 1t is
consistent by supporting for Governor
a candidate who has proven by his
course in Office that he subscribes to-
the policy advocated by that journal.
On the other hand the Tennessean is
right in what it says. No right-think-
ing. untrammeled citizen can contro-
vert the soundness of its position. But
the Tennessean is not consistent. 1T
is supporting the Americans candi-
date for Governor. It's candidate sub
scribes to the position taken by the
American. Now where is the issue?
What the Tennessean says upon this
question, destined to form one of the
important issues in the next cam
paign, is well worth reproducing. 1t
is a pity that. the Tennessean does
not espouse the cause of those who
are trying to give practical effect to
its wholesome declarations. That pa
per makes the following observatiins,
to which we heartily subscribe:
IF it is necessary for the railroads
to dominate our politics and control
our government in order that their
vast interests may be protected, then
one of two conclusions must in
evitably follow: Either that our sys-
tenn of government by the people is
all wrong; that is, popular government
is failure and the people are not to
be trusted to govern justly, or treat |
fairly vast arteries Of commerce which |
they need and use every day; or the |
interests of the railroads, to be pro-
tected, need legislation that is not only |
just but which will give them advan-
tages denied to others, and govern
ment that is not fair, but which will
favor them specially.
"Of course this program so boldly
proclaimed by one that is in posi-
ton to know is not true. 1t is more
than false. 1t is asinine and childish
beyond expression. 1t is but the idle
of disappointment that, in
dwelling upon the glories of past and
broken monopolies, grows bitter. 1t
is entitled to no other consideration
than to be used as a barometer by
which in the coming campaign 1t can
be determined what candidates share
It's rank heresies, alike destructive OF
popular government and inimical toll
he interest of the railroads it would
'eign protect. Such opinions and ex-
)ressions, and such alone, If persisted
n and encouraged, will be responsible
or government ownership or harsh
md drastic legislation that an out
aged people may enact in an en-
leavor to throw off the yoke of rail-
Dad and corporate politics.
How much more effective this would
,e IL 1t came from journal whose
curse in Tennessee politics was such
s to discount all suspicion of the sin
erity of i% desire to eliminate this
orrupt inuuence from public life.
A sALooNLEss CITY.