The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1917-01-26

ance OF free railroad transportation In
Tennessee. The measure ought to
have passed last week, but really 1t
was fortunate for the cause Of reform
that it did not, because the bill enact
ed on Monday is very decided i'm
orovement over that which failed last
week.
AS passed by the senate only en-
,loyes of the railroads and their fami-
lies are exempted from its provisions.
This is as 1t should be. The bill would
have been greatly weakened and its
wholesome influence very much i'm.
paired had the exemptions originally
voted been allowed to stand.
Assuredly no exception should have
been made of the newspapers. The
press of the state exerts, or should
exert, a more potent influence in its
affairs than the members of the legis.
lature. The newspapers create the
sentiment which the legislators crys-
talize into being through act of assem-
bly,. They are truly the fountain
source Of public sentiment and every
argument made against a free pass
tor legislator really applies with re-
doubled force to the use of one by
In the face of present day enlight-
.ned sentiment Tennessee should not
longer permit or tolerate the free
pass. No public service corporation
should be permitted to extend favors
to one class that are not upon the
same terms extended to every other
class of citizens within the borders OF
the state. In the matter Of free trans
portation the railroads have been
more sinned against than SHINING.
They have been the victims of sys-
tenn that cannot longer be permitted
to exist.
The railroads will really be better
off under the new law. They will no
longer be the victims OF bold hold
UPS" upon the part of constituencies
politicians and brazen legislators. AS
result better feeling will exist
between the corporations and the peo-
nile. which will be of mutual advan'
tage.
The duty of the house Of represen.
tatives is plain. 1t cannot be shirked. |
There should be no delay in pushing
the senate bill to a final conclusion
It's approval by Gov. Rye is assured. |!
II is demanded by public sentiment.
The democratic party Is upon its hon
or A failure to enact this legislation
will be as gross and fragrant breach
Of promise, as outrageous betrayal
of public trust as this state has ever
in all it's history.
Parenthetically The Herald cannot
refrain from remarking that the enc
mics of Senator Luke Lea in the Ten
nessee legislature who were RESPONSE
BILE for the recent asinine perform
ance of the house of representatives,
have doubtless discovered that it is
some Job" to destroy that virile, az
gressive. clean and brilliant leader.
The passage of the anti-pass law was
not only redemption of the sacred
pledges of the democratic party and
clean cut response to public senti,
ment, but it was a personal triumph
for Senator Lea. Without the vigor-
GUS and untiring fight that the senator
made the senate would have proven
recreant to its solemn duty And it
might also be remarked with equal
truth that since the death of the Ia
mented Edward Ward Carmack, Sen |
ator Luke Lea has been the most |
potent factor in securing right legis |
lation, in writing reform statutes that
this state mas known. Reform after
reform accomplished in the peoples |
interest may be credited to the ener- |
gy, the determination. the fidelity the !
and the ability Of Luke |
Lsa.