The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1908-02-06
WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE.

AuA SSSSAoA A"Sl1uS Twelve days
the General Assembly of 1908,
(which had been convened for
the purpose Of passing upon the
Governors compromise relative
to passenger rates. adjourned
without date on last Saturday af- !
ternoon. An agreement was
reached on the rate bill Saturday
morning, when the Senate con-
cured in the House amendment
striking out the provision giving
the Corporation Commission
power to fix rates on and after
January /, 1909, and this practi-
cally closed the work of the ses-
sion. There was general rejoic-
ing among the members and the
utmost good feeling prevailed.
Shortly before adjournment Gov
ernor Glenn sent a special mes
sage to each branch of the Ie9iS-
lative assembly congratulating
the representatives upon the
great work they had accomplish
ed during the brief period they
had been together.
When questioned about the
work OF the body, soon after adj
journment, Governor Glenn said:
81 am very much gratihed owe the
actions taken. 1 am thoroughly assured
that the rsilro ads will carry out the con
tract into which they entered to give
interstate rates, and mileage books. 1t
is impossible for me to believe that they
will act otherwise.
THE Legislature in this extra ses-
sion did more important work in eleven
days than any other body of men ever
assembled in the State. and I believe that
the beneficial fruits of their labor will
be felt for years to come.
sit is my opinion that the important
legislation which was enacted at the
extra session will meet with the gen.
era1 approval of the very great major
fly of the people of the State. and per-
sonalIy 1 desire to say that / am very
much gratifed at what has been done.''
Speaker Justice was pleased,
also, and before departing for
home gave expression to the fol-
lowing:
THE result of the fight, If the rail
roads tell the truth, is that they are to
get out of politics. If this is true, the
entire fight is worth while.
"If they again enter politics or try to
shape legislation, directly o r ~indireStly,
the people will be on the look out, and
it will proabbly avail them nothing to
make the effort.
1.-THE amendment to the Senate bill
takes from the Corporation Commission
power to fix passenger rates and enforce
penalties and means that the Federal
court cannot again interfere with the
enforcement of State laws.
''This is a long step forward and there
will no backward step. When the rail-
roads abandon all effort to take their
cases to the Federal courts and defy the
State, it will be time to consider refer
ring the matter 10 the Corporation Com
mission.
''The determined stand of the House
of Representatives in amending the
Senate by an overwhelming majority
indicates that the House was in no
mood to compromise q principle. The
other portions of the rate bill, which
passed, we're matters of detail. There
was no back down upon the principle OF
States Rights and Government by the
people ana Regulation of railroads.
"Another thing that was shown by
the roll call was that those who have
fought passenger reduction upon
the pretense that freight rates were the
real matter of grievance, voted against
q reduction of freight when that ques-
ton was up.
''The people have won the fight.
The analysis of the entire situation in
North Corolina is well stated in the
Presidents message delivered t Con-
gress yesterday. The disturbers of
business are criminals engaged in high
finance, and not those who wish to call
them to account for their crimes.
eff the railroads will reform and con-
fne themselves to channels of business