Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-07-29
HOT ROAST FOR PRITCHARD
Governor OF virginia Asserts order
of judge subversive of
Liberty.

RICHMOND, Va, July 2s-The Times
Dispatch, In an interview today with Gov
ernor Swanson of Virginia, gives his po-
stion regarding ths railroad rate situation
in this state. The governor says the case
in Virginia is different from that in North
Carolina, as no law establishing rates in
this state has yet been perfected and that
the paramount authority for fixing rates
is vested In the corporation commission,
which Judge Pritchard recently enjoined
from publishing its order for a uniform
2-cent rate. The governor says that under
Judge Pritchards injunction the commits
sion was prevented from "perfecting the
third act necessary to fixing the rate"
publication thereof, and that thus there
is no 2-cent law in Virginia today Under
the constitution. said Governor Swanson.
In order for the commission to fix rate
1t must take three necessary steps, viz ::
Give notice to the transportation companies
to appear; second, give hearing and enter
an order; third, publish the order four
weeks before il can take effect
"Ehe order of Judge Prtchard in the Vir-
gnia case is outrageous" says Governor
Swanson. He SAYS the fixing Of a date
by the corporation commission is a legis-
lative body in Virginia from doing what
absolutely necessary to complete an act
of legislation under our constitution. The
corporation commission is paramount to
the general assembly OF Virginia in fixing
rates. II Judge Pritchard can enioin the
corporation commission from performing its
duties in fixing a rate and completing II
he can enjoin the 1eglslature-he can enioin
examined and ascertained whether they
are, in his judgment, just and constitu-
tional
May Defy Order.
IF this rule or order of his is nernittad
anu sustained II means the destruction Of
legislative bodies and means that they shall
oecohe SUBJECT to the courts. II means
the destruction OF the very foundations of
free institutions.
Il have favored and continue IN favor
SNORING thls order Of Judge Pritchard
plohio"ing the corporation commission
rom puphshing its order as required bv
'he constitution and for the publication to
proceed ana the act to be completed as
iequireu oy our constitution. To acauiesce
Y FEDERAL judge arresting the legislative
"ouy OF the state in their processes of en-
9 'esiSia'ioh Is destructive OF state
sovereignty and all free institutions. This
order OF Judge Pritchard makes the vir-
s'iiis broader and far more important than
any question Of passenger rates
me members of our commission aro
prepared and willing to proceed with nub-
hcation or to do anything else that %
necessary to vindicate their rights or at
tam the purposes desired. The DELAY in
action has been to enable counsel TO lool
ihto the matter thoroughly and to reach a
uenhlte conclusion as to what they tb,nk
.he oest and most advantageous course
Tor the state to pursue
e rlsh's and dignity of the state win
~, ain'a'ned TO the fullest extent. When
'ne L-oent rate is perfected by publication
ana becomes operative in the state a. ,s ~,
purpose to see Ia enforced and to do ,hts
=. Snal exercise all the powers possessed
by me as governor '''eSSeu