The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1915-11-19
"PEANUT" LITIGATION.

PEANUT" LITIGATION. !.
In another column of this issue appears
the reply of President Markham, Of the Ya-
ZOO & Mississippi Valley Railroad Company,
to an editorial published in the Herald-Pro-
casion Of the controversy being two suits
brought recently in the Circuit Court of Tai
lahatchie county by a couple Of negro men,
heavy damages, alleging that
they were assaulted, without provocation,
by Conductor Beanland, on October 3rd,
while passengers on train No. $40 running
between Greenwood and Memphis. The
editor of the Herald-P Progress says, if the
allegations of the negroes are true, that the
Railroad Company ought to be made to re-
spond in damages; that the negroes are our
charges and that it is our duty to protect
them and see to them and see to it that they
are treated fairly. Mr.. Markham agrees with
the Herald-Progress, but explains, in the in
slant case, that one of the negroes was try
ing to beat his way and when the conductor
caught him in the act he became abusive,
which caused the conductor to strike him.;
that nothing whatever is known about any
grievance on the part Of the other negro,
except the allegations in his petition. Mr..
not to be deprived of the privilege of resent
ing an insult from a negro. We can all get
together on that proposition.
It appears that the issue, upon trial Of
the cases, will be resolved into a question
of veracity between Conductor Beanland, a
native Mi~ssissippian, who has been running
a train for seventeen years, and has never
been accused Of a discourtesy to a passenger,
white or black, on the one side, and a couple
The valuable time Of the Court, and a jury
of twelve men, at the expense Of the tax
payers Of Tallahatchie County, will be con-
sumed in deciding whether the conductor or
the negroes are telling the truth.
Mr.. Markham complains that the legiti-
mate business of the Railroad is frequently
seriously interrupted by the large number
Of frivolous suits brought against his Com
panies in Mississippi: He avs that many
train crews are often tied up In the different
Courts at the same time as witnesses IN
cases which ought not to be brought.
we suggest that there is food for
thought in Mr.. Markham's statement. Re-
gard[ess of the merits or dement's OF the
cases under discussion, it is true that too
many suits, which lack merit, are brought
against corporations in this State. This is
|hurtful to the best interests Of the people in
|many respects. Railroads are quasl-publlc
institutions. Every commodity which we
have to sell is transported by them. Every
Iartlcle Wnlcn we AVE 10 nave, SltueI w edI
or to wear, reaches us over our ~transporta-
ton lines. Everything which hinders them
also Injuries US and indirectly the people
have to help carry the burden. But that is
4 not the most important argument in favor
.|of fair treatment of the railroads. If we
gain the reputation, as a State, of taking
away from them which is justly theirs, we
e shall see no more railroad building here.
t We shall see capital-seeking investment Civ
e ing us the go-by. We shall see the end OF
outside help in the progress Of Mississippi.
Would it not be we'll to discourage the
things which are inimical to our best inter
ests as a people, and commence to set GU,
house in order so that we may share in the
e wave Of prosperity which is now beginning
l to sweep over the country? We have been
5 narrow long enough. Let us throw off the
II yoke and begin to broaden out. In oul
humble opinion, the most effective start
which we could possibly make would be tt
y put a stop to peanut" litigation against om
e railroads.
To the looker-on of the European war
Germany somewhat reminds one of a big
bull pup surrounded by a lot Of barking fee
e He walks right along wherever he takes {