The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1907-07-23
Momentous Conflict on
in North CoroIina.
The CAUSE OF ALL
Every State Interested in the Attempt
of the Federal Judiciary TO fade
Eougb Shod over the Laws
and Courts of the

By THOMAS j. PENCE.

washington, D. G, July 19.-The at
sention of the people Of the nation
is attracted to the contest being Wased
In North Carolina for the supremacy
of the rights Of Il sovereign state.
Here in Washington the elioFts OF
the railroads, sustained by the ledeIdi
courts, to nIllify the acton OF tue
Legislature in prescribing rates, nave
q peculiar interest, for the multlfold
Questions involved possesses u national
aspect. Not only is this true out IL -
very generally predicted that the g
cision Of Judge Prltchard, virtually
overriding the will OF the represtn-
tat:ves OF the two States or virginia
and Carolina, Will constitute one OF
the most interesting debates during
the coming Congress. There are Few
of Congress In washington
but it IS easy to torcsee that the issues
involved in this contest Tor state
or national control Of public utlIltleS'
as has developed in the North Carolina
case is hound to come before Con-
gress in a prominent way.
The comment here is critical or the
position AXE by Judge Pritchard IN
his effort TO undo the VIII or the peo-
pie in ordering a reduction OF pas
senger fares. Ii he should 60 further
and interfere with the operation OF
the State courts in the discharge of
their local functions 1t Is generally
accepted as a fact that he Will only
be inviting trOuble.
The most discussed aspect of the
North Carolina situation, involving
as it does federal and State control,
is the prospect of a CLASH of authOf-
ity betWeen local and federal courts.
Should Governor Glenn sustain Judge
Long, and back his assertion of au-
thority with the force of local mali
tia, then there would be presented the
5,njr,,n nnCcihjlitU nt I1dO-n Prltrh4rd
calling upon the Federal government
for physical federal interference. This
is a proposition that would go direct
to the President, and would demand
long and serious consideration Per
SOnaIIy Mr.. Roosevelt admireS Judge
Pritchard, but at the same time ne
has always taken a stand in favor of
advanced railway rate Legislation, such
as the reduction of transportation
charges. His first impulse would be
to support the judiciary for it is the
de factO government, but he might re-
fuse to do so if impressed with the
fact that a federal judge had under
taken to assume too great an author
itv of law. The feeling here is that
Judge P~ritchard is guilty of all OF
this, and this briefly stated, is the
way il which Washington looks upon
the ~momentous conflict that is now
absorbing the attention of the peo-
pie of North Carolina, as we'll as those
of the nation.
The whole question is one that
must ultimately be settled by the SUI
preme Court of the United States. The
question of the rights of a State in
resisting federal interference is the
paramount one involved, and in many
respects will be the most important
brought to the attention of the courts
since the civil war. Judge Longs very
able calculation of this question, sc
far as il relates to the North Carolina
case, has attracted wide attention, and
there are many comments to the eff
feet that he was absolutely right in
his conclusions.
Blue Assigned to the North Carolina
The navy department today detailed
Lieut.. Commander Victor Blue to duty
In connection with the completion
OF the rmored cruiser North Carolina
which is being fitted for service a
Newport News, Va. The order an.
that Lieut.. Blue is. given tn
assignment with the object of max.
ing him the executive officer. of tn,
North Carolina when. placed in com
mission"
While attending the launching o.
the Tar Heel cruiser Lieut.. Blue de.
clared that it was his ambition to be.
come her commanding officer. II,
is too young for this position, but a
executive officer he will be second il
command, a very desirable assignment