The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1907-07-09


Heretofore o%verridden its People
hv purchasc and Political Chilean
rv Ignores Their Just Demands for
ncss in Freight Rates and Con-
times Unjust Freight Discrimina-
tons.
1SneciaI to News and Observer
D Greensboro y. c, July Senator
7 Allen Holt. although serving his
first term in the Legislature last WIN
ter. and not having the distinction OF
being a lawyer, any more than SEN
ator 3. F. Aycock, another forcelu'
leader. proved to the old stagers IN
the Senate. before he had been both
cred bv them many times, that WINE
ne might not have been technically
verssd in law. he yet knew all about
the needs. the rights and the demands
of the people, and when occasion
made it necessary, he could hold his
own with the strongest Of those at
torneys who were learned in halr-
Uplifting logic While trying to carry a
point by force Of management. NO
first term Senator has ever made a
stronger, or a more salutary impress
sion upon his colleagues, his imme-
diate constituents or upon the State at
large than did Prof. Holt. His biggest
fight was for the freight rate, the pas
genger ate and an antitrust bill that
WAS effective. On the railroad bills
he won out. and showed all who con-
tended against him on the floor Of the
Senate or In the committee Don that
he was a foeman for the people Wor-
thy Of any Senator's d~ebatorial steel.
1t was natural therefore, that Sen
htor Holt should have an interest out
Of the ordinary in the fate Of this leg
Islation. which he had so much to do
with the making, and compelling. 1t
Is more than natural that he should
have decided opinions upon the a
her in which his legislation has re-
GENTLY been assailed by the railroads
represented in the Federal court at
Asheville last week. So when [ saw
him at the Guilford Battle Ground
Yesterday, celebrating the fourth with
all his might. I asked him what he
thought about the rate bill now.
lie did not monkey with me a min
ute. He at once left the group Of dig
hitaries clustered around Senator
sat down under a big hickory tree
from where we could look out over
the hills to the big old battle ground
oai1 a mile away. the oak which Tarle-
tons horse topped at the Battle OF
Guilford court house over a hundred
to me, exactly what follows, and he
said it like he meant every word Of it,
hnd he not a lawyer either:
The expected has happened at
Asheville. Personally, I had hoped
for better things, and was doubly DIS
appointed. In the first place, I had
believed that a corporation whose sue
cess is SO closely interviewer with the
prosperity and good will Of the peo-
pie and which has shown a desire,
Wherever mere words could accom-
p!ish it, to cultivate kindly feelings
where heretofore it has from it's deal
lngs created d~tstrust, would not carry
would first give the law a fair test. /
must confess that / was not led to
this hope and confidence by any prom
tse made before the legislative COM
mittee; but on the contrary was as
sured that if any reduction whatever
should be made in rates the law
would be tested in the courts.
My second disappointment, came
In the result, I have talked to many
eminent men, both Democrats and Re
publicans, since the injunction was
granted as to whether it would be
dismissed OF continued. Without a
single exception the belief was ex-
pressed that Judge Prirchard would
decide for the railroads, and that il
was a waste of the States none to
resist the Injunction. The prevailing
opinion was in the language of Nor
decaL: who knoweth whether thou
art come to the kingdom for such a
time as this? One prominent Repub-
ican openly said to me, IT is no Sc
fret that most Southern United States
Judges have been appointed at the in
litigation of the railroads. Neverthe-
less, knowing the high personal
standing and acknowledged integrity
Of Judge Pritchard I had hoped tina,
giving a deaf ear to any professional.
oia she would not attempt to over
ride the will of the people and Sc,
aside a law of a sovereign State or
an imperfect showing of its neces.
Fity, as is indicated by the very ma.
ture Of the decision he rendered.
In the language OF Mr.. Thorn we
pave come to the parting of the WAYS.
The state can no longer make a law
winch viii go into effect till first sub.
tnItted to the Supreme Court of the
united States. if the parties resistins
nave money enough power anC
influence enough to fight it through
this class Of courts. In the case O.
the railway, a losing fight can bt
made without cost of great conse.
auence. its lawyers being retained bN
the year and costing nothing add
tlonal. The purpos of the railway.
to fight off a decision of his ques.
non till another legislature is elected
winch they propose to control anC
they hope that the law can be repealed
before it reaches the Supreme Court
"NeanWhile the state is poyyerlcss
ITS voice suppressed, its lcgislativ.
f"wer suspended. its executive depart
ment stayed. and its judiciary fIoute,
fnd exhausted. and by what? BY f.;
ioWerfui corporal ton which has here
fotore oVcrridden its people by pOliti
,aI chicancry and purchase-whicf
ignores their Just demands for fairncs,
IN freight rates and which continue.
Us UNJUST freight Giscriminatltes. How
DhS Wa the people sand for this kint
! thiilg: How long will they sit idIy
~ ara see one man override q whole
ltople-nne man against two million,
ina the two millions hound ~, ~ ~