The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-07-21
Good as Is discourse. silence is
setter, and shnmes it.-Emcrson.
THE RAILWAY RATE LITIGATION

UdE HAlIINA \ KATIE lLIllNAIJON.
The present excitement in North
Carolina. not over the conflict Of
laws, but over the conflict of judges
and lawyers about the railway rate
question. will in due time subside to
calm and dignified consideration of
the real merits of the controversy.
Hysteria will give place to sober rea-
son.
If the railroads are wrong and
oppressive there are enough able men
d assalling them to show up their mis-
deeds and to vindicate the rights Of
the people. With the array that the
President has behind him the rail-
roads seem to have no help but the
$Elaw. Those same statesmen who We're
once happy in the smile of railroad
magnates now pass them in their
adversely with averted faces.
4 The Times-Dispatch never believed
In railroad politics or in railroad
politicians, and has depored long and
deeply the evils which the wretched
combination brought on the Com
monweath. but it is interesting to see
how quickly those who lately hailed
hosannas can now call for crucifixion.
It should not be forgotten that
the political misdeeds of railroads
were not done or approved by the
real owners of the railroads but by
their ambitious, and too often unscru-
pulous, officers and servants. 1t is
doubtful If railroad politics were ever
brought before board OF directors,
and certainly not before meeting of
stockholders. When 1t comes, however,
to the infliction Of punishment the
blows fall on those who now have no
defense but constitutional right. and
no helpers bu, wise and upright
Judges.
The cassLnoyy is that the directors
OF certain railroads, and Indirectly
the stockholders. are informed and
believe that the proposed rates viii
be very Injurious to their interests
will simply be taking money to which
they are fairly and honestly entitled
and using it for distribution among
the public who may he travellers By
rail-. and that the rates are. in short
unjust and unconstitutional.
In the light of this information tn,
directors and stockholders desire thei
rights protected, and they ask tn
courts TO prevent the conf!scation 0
their property for public uses withou
adequate compensation.
That seems to be the whole stor
In q nutshell.
No farmer or manufacturer woul
want to have his property apprc
priated for the good of the public ger
orally without proper compensate,
II 1t were attempted he would as
the courts to stop the proceedin
That is all that the people who ha,
put their property into railroads a,
now asking.
~. The courts will by due process
law find the facts in the case, al
II the railroads have been allowed &
they are entitled to their case w
be dismissed.
~ II, however. upon fun and ii
partial hearing-with no politics
the case--the cosrts determine tn
the railroads have been Cypress,
their rights will be protected a
vindicated. This is a country of &c
eminent by law. and by tia, test t
questions Of right must at last
setued, unless we are to have a re'
luton and civil violence.
IT is plain fact that unless
railroads knowing their rights.
prepared to defend them lawfully
public led by ambitious political
@ will surely not reSnart5 them,