The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1912-10-24

oAoA%N = va ~ - - ioii otiu
interests favor e. S. Johnson, demo-
cratic candidate for governor because
the democrat is in sympathy with
their interests and hat the railroads
oppose Frank M. Byrne, republican
candidate, because his record OF rail
road legislation is "irritating' to
them, was positively stated by eX-Sen-
ator r.. f. Pettigrew to The Press
yesterday. MIR. Pettigrew says that
railroad officials have approached
him and asked him to support John
son.
Mr.. Pettigrew was asked yesterday
if he has seen Ex-Governor Lees
statement in The Press last Friday
declaring that the railroad interests
were behind the johnson candidacy.
He replied that he has seen the state
ment made by Govern Lee, and that
he knew of his own knowledge that
the statement thus made was true.
johnson sought the support of
the railroads in the primary contest
said Mr.. Pettigrew, and was earnest
ily supported by the officers and en-
ployees of the Northwestern road
throughout this state. | talked with
high officials of the Northwestern
road. who told me they We're assist
ing Johnson in the primary contest
because they believed that he was
the safest man in the field.
Explains Combination.
"The Chicago, Milwaukee & st.
Paul railroad supported Egan in the
primary contest. So that one of the
great railroads supported the demo-
cratic and the other the republican
go i it, p,4 -, ~, nl intn1y nftnr
Egan failed to secure the republican
nomination and Mr.. Johnson secured
the democratic nomination, both the
North western and Milwaukee roads
united in the support of Mr.. johnson
for governor. And, strange to re
late, Egan also has joined with the
two railroads in his active support oil
Johnson.
"Now what the combination is the
people of this state ought easily TIC
understand. Mr.. johnson is safe, the
railroads will secure the Legislation
that they desire. Johnson is safe. He
will assist in keeping down the take:
on railroad property. | make thi!
statement with the full knowledge o
the facts in the case. Prominent of
ficials of these roads have more thar
once urged me to support johnson
and gave as a reason that he wa
friendly to the roads.
Bytne Irritates Railroads.
"And when ] asked them what wa.
!, the matter with Mr.. Byrne the re
publican candidate for governor the.
said he introduced and helped to pas
laws which We're irritating to the rail
roads.
This lead me to look up Mr. Byrne'
record, and found that Mr.. Byrne a;
I, a member of the legislature had in
troduced the anti-pass law, which il
!, SO effective that it has stopped TIT
; practice of corrupting the voters o
/ this state with free transportation
, He introduced and secured the pas
/ sage of the two-cent passenger far'
: law. | believe this law is still il
l force, but the courts refuse to enforc,
it.
Byrne's Legislation.
Mr.. Byrne also introduced and Sc
cured the passage Of the demurragI
law recurring railroads to pay dam
age for delay in securing cars t.
shippers. This was important legisla
ton, as before this law passed tn
railroads could furnish cars to fav
ored shippers but refused to furnish
> them to shippers who did not Go VIVA
5 the railroads wanted done, WI eh wa
a very damaging method OF discrim
nation. But above all Mr.. Byrne in
Y troduced and secured the passage G
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