Evening star., 1909-04-22

few Of the might riders were fisher
men. and majority OF them had suf-
fered no grievance whatever; but. from
spirit Of mischief and love Of ex.
marauders with officers and signs and
bylaws and had undertaken this bar
barous method of preventing the specula-
tors. who formed the land company from
carrying out their plans and defending
the ancient privileges Of the fishermen.
They were not contented with these
objects. however. but undertook to reg
ulate the morals and the behavior OF
upon several people. both men and wom-
en- that their habits and customs must
be changed or they would pay penalty
and in several cases farmers who hdd
nothing whatever to do with the fishery
dispute were taken out and whipped or
otherwise punished.
Their measures Of persuasion were
similar to those adopted by the night
riders in the tobacco districts OF Ken
parts parts Of this state. although the cause
was different. Since the tobacco trust
was organized 1t has attempted to con-
troll the cultivation and the methods OF
curing as well as the prices Of the tobac-
CO leaf. It's agents at Louisville, who
have been practically the only pur-
chasers Of raw material since the trust
was formed. have given offense and
aroused the indignation OF the commu-
nIIy Dy ln6IT dTUllTdTy IuSlnOUS HI oIuSE
to offer a united resistance the tobacco
planters organized associations In differ
ent localities. which undertook to resu-
late the methods OF cultfvattng and mar
keting the crops In opposition to the re-
quirements Of the trust. The movement,
however. was not unanimous. large
minority Of planters preferred to DO their
own business In their own way, and ac-
cepted the terms OF the trust. To COM
pei them to stop dealing with the trust,
bands OF night riders were formed In
almost every county of Tennesses and
Kentucky where tobacco was grown.
You have read accounts in the news
papers Of the outrages committed by
them and the efforts that have been
made by the of1icials OF both states to
detect and punish the perpetrators:
There has been a reign OF terror all
through the tobacco country and II stu
continues In several counties. All plant
ers who will not join the association
and cooperate with its members In op-
position to the trust have had their prop
erty and their crops DESTROYED ana many
Of them have suffered personal violence.
Gov. Patterson has shown the same
energy and determination in fighting the
might riders" at both ends OF the state.
the price of tobacco being the casus
in Realfoot lake in the other. and the
outrages have practically ceased In this
state
Committee Makes Investigation.
After the troubles OF Realfoot lake
were suppressed the question was taken
up by the legislature and a committee
was appointed to make an investigation
and recommend what ought to be done.
Several propositions have been advanced.
| One is to make a state game and fish
preserve of Realfoot lake by purchase
or condemnation proceedings. another is
to pass an act declaring the lake navi-
| gable water. which will make II free 10
| everybody for fishing. shooting. for sport
and pleasure. subject only to the general
| fish and game laws Of the state.
The company has offered to sell the
easement to the state for $75,O0O. with
the condition that the state recognize
| the lease to Burdick. which has nine
years to run. Such q proposition cam
not be considered moment. first. be-
cause there Is very good reason to be-
lieve that the company did not pay more
than 70 or % per cent OF that amount
| for the property. and to ratify the Bur-
dick lease Is exactly what the legisla-
ture is determined not to do. because