The Washington times., 1907-07-24

truth. an interesting story as a sequel
10 the designation Of railroad lawyers
and political manipulators to places Of
responsibility on the Federal bench Will
be disclosed, W the New York Press
only two railroads in the State have
refused to obey the new State law,
making a fiat rate of 2h cents a mile
the Southern railway and the Atlantic
Coast Line. The S~eaEOard Air Line and
others Immediately recognized the right
Of The state TO enact such a measure
governing railroads within its borders.
but the Southern. instead OF appealing
through h regular State channels. that
the question might be carried promptly
70 the United states Supreme Court for
final adjudication, obtained. on the
other hand, a restraining order from
Judge Pritchard deferring the enforce
ment OF the State statute. Judge Pritcn-
ard appointed a master in chancery 20
investigate, take evidence. and in other
ways relieve him from giving such pei
sonal attention TO the case. It is ex-
pected that the master in Chancery
would not report probably until after
the next Legislature meets. when the
Southern and its allies intend 20 under
take the repeal OF the obnoxious" law.
Inclination to Favor7
Judge Pritchard has given additional
evidence Of his inclination TO favor the
railroads in the instance Of State regula-
ton. In Virginia. which Is also in his
circuit, he recently issued a restraining
order against the 2-cents-a-mile rate
ordered by that States State Railroad
Commission. and. as II TO give extreme
effectiveness to his action. wrote another
order restraining every newspaper I'm
Virginia from publishing that or any
similar order Of the State Railroad Com
mission. One newspaper in Richmond
has taken up the glove M has de
clared editOrially that Il will print all
such orders and notices from the com
mission. and invites Judge Pritchard to
institute contempt proceedings against H.
State Rights Question.
Naturally, perhaps. the majority OF
the people OF both States. the principle
Of States rights being yet a vital one TO
Southerners. are amazed and enraged at
Judge PritChard's action.
They nave not objected 20 having the
right OF the State to enact laws 20 regu-
late the railroads operating within its
borders in the interests Of the people
passed upon by the coUr OF last resort.
but they want the railroads TO a ne
proper route TO reach the Supreme our
Of the United States, the only tribunal
where such questions may be decided
! cOnClusTVely. Governor Glenn, Of North
Carolina. and his associate State Of
hcials have made the point that II the
railroads really were sincere in their
pr~etension Of belief that the State law
Is unconstitutional they would take he
most direct course 20 carry up their
appeal with dispatch.
Judge Pritchard's Interference. or .he
substitution by the railroads Of this
Federal judge of the State courts. Is
really the whole cause of the present
critical situation IN the Tarheel State.
Was Southern Counsel.
In this connection It may be well 10
point out who Judge Pritchard is and
has been HIS first political position
was that Of a member OF the North
I Carolina State Legislature. where he
! was known as the counsel Of the South
/ ern Railway, having been in its en-
plOy previously. He was sccessful in
going from the Legislature TO the
United States Senate. when Fusion"
broke the Bourbon Democracy OF the
State, for Pritchard is a Republican,
and the railroads supported his can
didacy. He was appointed judge OF the
Supreme Court Of the District OF Column
bia and promoted to the United States
Circuit Court by President Roosevelt
after having been the recognized party
leader and patronage dispense n the
State in both the Mckinley and Roose-
welt administrations