Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-09-24
TUESDAY EVENING. SEPT. "a. 1907.

III OLb OObBsVeoiOnei '''oSS
"The world is governed 100 much, has
been apparent throughout the sgeh and
It's truth was never more plainly visible
than IN the middleton, legislation no"
hampering The operation OF some rail-
roads, especially those in the southern
country. President Finley, of the
Southern Railway. has recently in
speeches and correspondence expressed
his concern at the outcome of the present
crusade. The movement is necessarily
causing the discharge Of many workmen
On entire sys!6ms, while The huctuat'ors
o, the money ma! kettle trnest OF oil
tse,momeiers-lre cSusing natural ap'
prehension among the masses. Apart
from tbs above, The prosperity OF the
southern country is especially menaced
he much of The nnwise legiI ition, The
result of the prevailing epidemic against
corporations, which is calculated to root
uo the wheat With the laIes. The phe-
nomensl growth of the South during The
mast two-score years is Often alluded TO
with pride by people living this side oil
Mason and Dixon's line, and while the
forging ahead Of this section may justly
be regarded as wonderful, the fact re-
mains that the charge has been wrought
by the enterprise and industry OF the
southern people and that present copdi-
lions are not the result Of a freak OF for
tune. The northern portion OF the
country, especially the manuiactur-
ing centres, have lO'ktd upoa the
New South with alarm; if not envy,
while ,hos, of the North Interested
In maritime pursuits reslize that Nor
folk, Newport News, Wilmington, Savan'
nah, Charleston, Mobile, New Orleans
Galveston and CHER southern ports are
gradually becoming as important az mos
northern cities Of the Atlantic coast. II
should not lie forgotten that The rail-
roads are the feeders of the cities named
No matter what fault may at times bF
found with railroads, all must acknowi-
edge that they play a most important
part In the prosperity of country, and
while conservative safeguards should be
thrown around them, the owners and
operators should receive the encourage
msut which j. their due when they do
their best fer the interest of their patrons.
Laws fixing rates for transportation ID
certain crowded centres would probably
work no Injustice to the roads, Will
such laws, If made general and appl''
cable to other less populous places,
would prove IuinOus aud result IN the
inability of the management OF roads tC
operate the same save at a loss. All
would be glad to see uniformly low rates,
but such should be left to the business
men at The head OF railway systems, and
not to legislative bodies which are ton
often governed by public clamor. la
recent correspondence Mr.. Finley made
the following practical observations:
The Importance Of increased and i'm
proved transportation facilities to the
continuation ofprogress and prosperity in
the Southern States is MISTER in which
eyery individual in the South is Vitally
interested, whatever may be his business
or occupation. For some years past the
South has been progressing at a rate
that has not been tqualled by any other
section of country. 4 Great as has
been the increase in Southern produc-
tiou, the undeveIOped natural resources
of our sections are still so great IS to 81 )rd
opporsuniiies for almost indefinite in'
cresses along all lines, until the South
shall become oGe of wealthiest and mo-
populous section of the United States. y
I am not conteuding for any special
fagors for the rsilNays. ask only that
they be Recognized as business instiiu-
tions, upon The ability of which TO per-
form their proper functions the succe'
of other business enterprises must de-
pend, 10 very large degree. ] ask that
they be given the same measure o. pro-
lection under the Law that is given to
property 10 every other form. They
should he subjected to such govern
mental regulation as is necessary to pro
tect the buyers Of transportation, and
the public generally, in all their rights.
Legislation of this character, for The
prevention of wrong, cannot be too slria-
gent. When it ia carried beyond this,
sud undertakes to regulate the manage
r,ent of business 10 ghieh private in
diVidusIs assume all the risk, there is
danger thst investors may b'e)me
alarmed and decline to furnish the cap
ilsl needed for the increase aud improve
ment of railway facilities.
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THE STATE of Iuth Carolina Is hGal-