The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1912-10-31

The Union RepuhlIcan. }


Mr.. Editor r-Mr. Gilbert :. ssepA-
eDson. Chairman of the Democratic
County Executive Committee OF For
syth County. In the Daily Journal. of
this city. Of Sunday. felt 1, tneun-
bent upon him IS Chairman OF the
Democratic County Executive Com
mittee to make q reply 10 what had
said abou; the unjust discrimination
in freight rates praciieed against
North Carolina.
The Republican State platform de-
mands that these unjust discrimina-
tons cease The Democratic plat
form is silent. Mr.. Thomas Settle,
the Republican candidate for Cover
nor. has been charging from the
stump that the Democratic organira-
railroads and other big interests
whereby they have secured financial
and in the way OF political contribu-
tions, and as an evidence OF this he
reads Senator simmons interview of
August Is. 1912, in reply TO charges
u
manager, that the Senator had been
lobbying the Legislature of North
Carolina in the interest OF the rail-
roads In which the Senator admitted
that the Democratic organization had
been receiving financial aid from the
railroads. Mr. Settle has also shown
that these deals between the rail
roads and the Democratic organixa-
tion have brought a condition upon
the people OF North Carolina now al
most intolerable. He has called the
attention OF the people to the deciara-
tions of Governor Aycock's last public
utterances. written Just before and
published after his death, referring
to these determinations. wherein the
Governor said that I'VE can never
change these conditions by seeking
favors."
Mr.. Settle has further shown that.
in May and June, 1910, when the
Interstate Commerce bill was before
Congress dealing with the discrimi-
nation in freight rates, and the Hey
burne amendment was under consid-
Grafton. provided that the railroads
should not charge more for a short
haul than for a long one over the
same lines Of road, which amend
ment would have given the State this
much desired relief, Senator Over
man introduced an amendment there
to which left the matter to the Inter
state Commerce Commission, thereby
destroying its effect, and that Sem
ator Simmons voted for a substitute
that did destroy it's effect.
Mr.. Settle has further charged that
the Corporation Commission of North
Carolina, with full power to bring
suit, employ counsel and to rectify
these wrongs, has failed to exercise
its power in the interest OF the peo-
pie Of the State. He has further
charged that the Democratic Legisla-
ture CT North Carolina has been the
subservie1t tool of the railroads.
trusts and other corporations, rail-
roads, trusts. and other corporate
interests. He has further charged
that the Governor Of the State has
gone back on his pledges In this re-
spect. and has offered ample proof to
sustain his allegations.
The Republican headquarters has
issued circulars, and these circulars
have been published In the newspa-
papers of the State, showing that
the Democratic organizations, while
pledging their party to relieve the
people from these unjust discrimina-
tions, have not even attempted to
give this relief.
Notwithstanding this, the Demo-
cratic leaders OF the State have not
denied the same, but left II to Mr..
to defend these attacks. |
Mr.. Craig even declining to meet Mr..
Settle.
Mr.. Stephenson, in his interview,
condemns his own Corporation Com
when he states that the city
of Winston, through its Board Of
Trade, was compelled to institute
suit against the Norfolk and Western,
Railroad to relieve our people from
the unjust discrimination in coal
rates. When this suit should have
been performed by the Corporation
Of North Carolina, the
Board Of Trade OF Winston found it
self in such a condition that In order
to get a competent lawyer free from
the influences of the railroads en-
ployed Republican. Maj. J. E. Alex
ander, without assistance, TO repre-
sent them, and through his services,
Mr.. Stephenson says. the city of Win
ston secured a reduction OF coal
rates from s2.10 to $50. By this
we understand that the Democratic
lawyers Of this city were SO tied mp
with the railroads that their services
were not desirable.
The Southern Manufacturers' AS
ISOLATION last February appealed TO
the Corporation Commission TO join
them In q suft heforo fha Tufarufa "a