The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-09-04
sharI We Hide The Truth.

Dadeville Courier
 A great ado. and a grapdstand play is made about the railroad controversy and the truth is persistentIy kept in the back ground and an effort made to make the dear people" believe that a battle of blood and death, if need be, Is being fought for the sole interest, protection, safety and relief of these corporation-raalroad-rtdden people. Is that true, or Is 1t fight bewteen the shipper, wholesaler and jobber against the roads? How many of the dear people" | ride on three cent-a-m mile tickets and how many will be bene- fitted by reduced rates? The Atlanta Constitution and Tom Watson of Georgia say that the consumer in Georgia is not at all benefited, that all the saving in freight rates is added to the margin of the manufacturer and middle man. But, is this freight evil all the sin the people are afflicted with? Have you not observed the treat meant Of the dear people, by large property owners and loud talking rail- road reform saints7 You see the favors shown men of wealth and good trade. They are favored with rock bot tom cash prices but pay any time 1t suits tried convenience. At the same time the dear people, are tied up with mortgage, take such as they are al- lowed, and pay two prizes for ores d, $200 for mule worth $125. 4 husband is not dead three days before the widow and children are notified that they must give up all they have, drive the cow and calf and bring the old crippled mule to the reformer and go Saak hs me bereft, naked and hungry. Yet the re- former weeps because the 'dear people, cannot have two and one half nts rail- road tickets asd reduced frstg1t ralt S. Now this does not argue that rate re; form and railroad regulation is ret needed But 1t does show that this hue and cry is mingled with crocodile tears. We do not know, but we verily believe reform is need d. Grant flat 1t is, and yet fraud ,s beiI'g rFsr- ticed upon the people for the glory Of the reformer. All this talk of outlaw by the railroads and shot gun rule by the State Is far:e, an appeal to pas sion. and playing to the galleries. The railroads have large property In Ala bama and they cladm tha: the new laws will deprive them of property rights, that is, force tn sHn to do busi- ness for rates that WI not yield profit on their investments. that -tEty will suffer loss by the laws of the State. So the railroads in the Stute have gone to court to test the law to see if 1t is flair and equitable. Ti.a' Is all, and the South Afn Railroad, mas not abandoned the flight, she will crly put into effect, September 1st, the new rates until the case Is decided in court. If the case is won by the roads the old rates will be again p1t iato ope.atioH The only difference in the Louisville and Nashville road and the other roads is that 1t contends for the old rate while the case is pending and has given bond for all overcharges If they should fail in their suit. What citizen in Alabama would do less if he felt that he is be- ing deprived of his property rights Naw nf ftNaNa Many of the laws, of the Legislature preceding the one just adjourned. were tested in the courts and found uncon- stitutional. Was that treason? Dis pensary laws were found unconstitu- tlonal and bar rooms sets up where dispensaries had been established. Was that outlaw and did anybody talk of taking a shot gun to the persons who tested the laws? The right of redress in courts is granted to all men and never before in time of peace, have we heard of threats of armed force against court decision. As to the redress be- ing sought in State or Federal courts there Is no difference in the right nor the principle Suppose beat officer should levy on property and the owner of the property were to appeal his case to Circuit Court. Would 1t be a shot gun offense? Then suppose he should appeal his case to the Supreme Court Of Alabama WOulu II pc CIVIL anu E1Bnb to threaten him with armed force. Then suppose he should seek redresS in the United States Court. should the State troops be called out by the Cover nor of the State and deprive the man of redress in our free country? As ridicu- lous and absurd ae this is. 1t Is the case in Alabama and 1t is a reflection on the State and the South. and we are ridiculed throughout the civilized world. Yet we are told that the King can do no harm and that we should not say a word against this sham practiced bn our people It Is the sacred duty of every man In Alabama who loves his State and has a high regard for her citizenship to take a position against such disreputable tactics. It Is fraud on our State a reflection prac- ticed on the people by the designing politicians for their own glory. and in this controversy about as much con sideration is felt for the "dear people" as in the above mortgage case
 For every needed reform We should contend, but let it be done in decency and moderation. and by law and order never threatening the fountains of jus tice with armed force for partisan nolitical or any ulterior motives