The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1908-01-23


suits before giving the rate a fair
test. When the railroads got their
injunction they not only had the Cor
poration Commission, the Attorney
General and Assistant Attorney-Gen-
eral enjoined, but also the attorneys
employed by the Corporation Com
mission; hence, when the railroads re-
fused to obey the law, not being able
to get the services of these attorneys
[ had to employ others, thus entaiiing
more costs, and, therefore, the rail-
roads, by their suits and acts, having
put this extra cost on the Sta.ye, felt
in the settlement, they should pay it.
If, however, your honorable body
does not agree with me, and think
the State and not the railroads should
pay this cost, it is for you and not
for Sae to decide.
In order that in the future both
the State and the railroads should
kno~ their respective legal rights in
dealing with each other, and believ-
ing that the Minnesota case ana the
habeas corpus case from Asheville
now pending in the Supreme Court of
the United States would definitely
settle and define the respective rights
Of all parties, it was agreed that, even
if your honorable body accepted and
approved the agreement, the case III
the Supreme Court should not be af-
fected thereby, but should proceed TO
final judgment.
Other States Agree.
The States of South Carolina,
Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee, and
probably Virginia, have agreed to the
same terms offered by North Carolina,
/ thus giving a uniform rate and mile
age books over the entire South
[ have given this matter a mosS
careful investigation, tried to protect
in every way the rights of the State,
and, in coming to the conclusion that
the settlement reached is both just
and equitable to the State and the
railroads, | have had the advice and
assistance of some of the State s
truest, ablest and best men. However.
discharge my duty by obeying the
Constitution and laying the matter
before you, as you alone can enact
laws. I think it wise to settle the
matter. I believe the terms are fair
to all, and, therefore, ask you, the
lawmakers of the State, if consistent
with your sense Of right and duty, to
approve what has been done
Rate Fixed Not Confscatory.
The rate fixed by your body at its
last session, in may judgment, though
less than the amount recommended in
my message, was not confscatory, but
was just and based on the report OF
the railroads themselves, and, there
fore, was in no sense a wrong; and,
if the railroads had given the rate a
fair test, without having made the
people hostile to them, | firmly be-
lieve, as shown by the evidence taken
in the pending equity suit that said
rate would not only have proved
both equitable and remuneratiye, but
in excess of the previous earnings
But times have changed since you
last met, and all business has suffer
ed by the structure in the money
market Disclosures made in the fin
ancial world fraud and corruption
gambling on the stock market, the
withdrawal Of money from circula-
ton, thus bringing about unrest and
district, together with many other
causes, which have seriously affected
all securities, making stock values de-
crease and credit hard to obtain, until
not on account Of the little reduction
of fares to 2 IA cents, but for the
reasons above stated and many 9th
ers, railroads, like individuals ano
other corporations, have been Grip
pied in their operations, have had il
many ways to curtail their expenses
cannot borrow money to carry or
their business, and, therefore, neet
all legitimate help that can be giver
them, not inconsistent with the right:
Of the people and the State. They
claim that, if all matters Of differc
ence between them and the variou:
States can be adjusted, confidence
will be restored, their securities more
easily placed, and they be enabled t.
continue their contemplated improve
ments.
No one but demagogue would de
sire to injure railroads simply beeas'
it can be done, but should only wisl
to require them to deal justly will
the people; and now that the rail
roads have recognized the soverignt!
; of the State and come forward, agree
: ing to terms alike fair to the Stat,
. and themselves, it behooves the State
: through its lawmakers, to meet then
in the same spirit Of equity and do al
it can to aid them, provided it in IT
,, way destroys the rights of the people
Again, I trust you will solve thi
: complex question by approving th
terms agreed upon, thus restoring
> peace and harmony and putting all a
work once more for the upbuilding 0
our beloved State.
Freight Rates.
: In regard to freight rates, I sugges
= one amendment to section l, chapte
: PIT, Laws of 1907, by adding at tn
: end of the said section these words
+ Provided further, that this act shal