The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1907-06-27
BRYAN DROPS LOWER PLANE.

and mus Dreak up thS Hi|"'
living cause that has produced the
gigantic industrial trusts fy charg-
ing that the rate bill had not, up to
to date, produced any material bene~
fits of reduced rates, etc.
We regret TO see Mr.. Bryan drop
ping to the level of using an argu-
ment like this. 1t does not sound
like Mr.. Bryan's usually broad ana
fairmInded statements with refer
ence to public men and affairs. 1t
il the argument Of cheap politics
and is not worthy of Mr.. Bryan.
Every intelligent person knows
that the admins ration has not only
championed and put through the
rate and anti-rebate bill, after hard
fight against the combined opposi-
ton of the railroads and trusts OF
the country getting, it is true, not
all the administration wanted, but
yet a great step forwardl, but that
the administration has also put into
operation the powerful machinery
of the Government in enforcing the
Sherman antitrust laws and every
other law of similar nature on the
statute books to correct, as far as
possible, under the same, existing
evils. Every intelligent man also
knows that the President has ex-
pressed himself 81 not satisfied with
the laws as they exist, and IS con-
tinually urging the strengthening
of these laws in every respect, which,
by experience, they have found to
be Ineffective. Who could have pos
sibly done more along this line ?
Indeed, is not the success already &C
c0mplished simply marvellous, and
should not such efforts have Mr..
Bryan's unqualified approval instead
of carping criticism
Mr.. Bryan cropped to a lower
plane, in his comments on Governor
Hughes, Of New York, in vetoing
the two cent passenger fare bill.
Mr.. Bryan says that this act of the
Governors is proof of the fact that
he is under the influence of the rail-
roads. Mr.. Bryan should have no
ted the reason given by Governor
Hughes for this action, and have at
least given him credit for sincerity,
until his public actions had shown
to the contrary.
Mr.. Bryan should have noted, In
this connection, that the Governor
had just succeeded in putting
through his strong and admirable
public utilities bill, providing for a
railway commission with more
power than the commissions of most
of the States had possessed. And
one of the duties of the new COM
mission under this bill is to inquire
into the capitalization, gross and net
earnings of the railroads, and thereby
determine what is a fair and Just
passenger and freight rate. Hav-
ing provided the machinery for in
vestigating the whole question, and
securing official information on
which to base effective action, it is
not strange that the Governor should
have vetoed the bill passed immedi-
ateIy upon the heels of the utilities
bill provided for taking very pro-
nounced action in reducing rates in
advance of the investigation just
officially authorized by the Legisla-
ture.
1t is noticeable that the Governor
did not ask the Legislature to pass
this rate bill, and it is also notice.
able that the same Legislature that
had first refused to pass his public
utilities bill, and which he had great
difficulty finally in passing, at once
proceeded to pass this remarkable
measure without any request from
the Governor; and it is also strangely
noticeable that the railroads fought
vigorously. the Governors utility
bill but did not fight the rate bill.
1t seems to be clear that the rail.
roads felt sure that the Courts would
not uphold the two cent rate bill,
and for that reason they wanted il
passed, and also it is plain that they
did not want an official investiga.
ton made so that the Legislature
could act intelligently on the infor.
nation thereby secured.
1t would have been fairer and
more statesmanlike in Mr.. Bryan to
have called attention to these mat