Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-03-10

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what manner the commissioners shall be
selected. l favor their appointment, be-
cause: l. The history of all railroad COM
missions in the United States shows that
those which IRE appointed are the most
efficient in the management of these corpo-
rations. 3 Because in selecting commits
sioners by a popular vote they would be
nominated in a Democratic convention, in
which the railroads and all opponents could
combine upon nominations for these offices,
trade out on everything else and secure
men that might not work in the interest of
the people. The delegates to these conVen-
lions with their personal friends as candi-
dates for other offices, could be more easily
influenced than the governor ana senate of
the state. When the convention adjourned
there would be nobody responsible 10 the
people. When elected, the commissioners
could not be removed. 1t would take away
its power and strength. If appointed by
the governor, he would be responsible di-
rectly, and would have the power to re-
move.
1t is as much the exercise of sovereign
power by the people, to select by their gov
ernor and senators as by a direct vote. The
people have the right now in the election of
their members of the legislature to change
this law, so rs to elect if they choose.
Judge Clarke cannot make this an issue,
for the people can have an elective commits
sion If they elect Hogg governor just the
same as If they elect Clark. But there is
the material difference, the next commits
sion must be appointed by the governor
because the law cannot be changed before
the next election. If Hogg be elected, a
commission will be appointed thoroughly
in sympathy with the people and interests
of Texas; but if Clark be elected governor,
a commissioner will be appointed by him
who in two years. time, will so destroy the
influence of the railroad commission, that
it will not be worth electing thereafter.
Judge Clark could not be honest and ap-
point commission that would not be in the
interest of the railroad corporation because
his honest sentiments are in their interests.
4, What changes if any would you
propose in the commission law.
A. l know OF none that are needed now;
the experience Of operating the commission
may develop some needed amendments. 1
believe the commission law of Texas to be
the best of any in the United States, more
thoroughly guarding the rights and in
terests of the people than any other. 1t IS
not harsh law to those railroads that obey
it. 1t is just to those who choose to dis
obey it.
g. What benefits have resulted from the
commission and what may be expected
from it?
The time has been so short since the Or
ganiZation of the commission that 1t has not
had time to accomplish very much, and the
people do not appreciate that which 1t has
done because. they do not understand the
full force of it. The rates on all agricul-
tural products to and from points within
the state have been reduced and much grain
raised in Texas has been marketed in the
state that would not have been able to COM
pete with the products of other states
under the old rates. A large saving has
been made on the cotton crop of last year,
and an impetus to manufacturing interests
has grown out of the expectation of the
good work of the commission which will
reach hereafter that which has not before
been touched. We may expect fromthe COM
mission fair rates, so that the people of
Texas will not be Disseminated against by
the railroads, and as a consequence the
business of the state will be greatly i'm
proved. One of the greatest benefits
derived from the commissions work
so far is that it has converted
Judge Clark and his heretofore
anti-commission friends to belief in the
virtue of the law, and they are NOW seeking
to take the lead in its enforcement. Those
who oppose Governor Hogg charge that he
has been partial to his friends, and especi-
ally Mr.. Chiffon. Judge Clark ingeniously
seeks to make the most Of this and the
elective feature of the bill. He is in poor
position for either. He was appointed
secretary of state by his friend Governor
Coke, and afterwards appointed by the
same friend Encouragement of the state.
His friend Governor Roberts appointed him
one of the judges of the court of appeals of
the state, and lately Governor Ross, his
warm personal friend, appointed HIM one
of the attorneys of the state to represent it
in the Greer county case, from which he
will get fee amounting to more than the
salary of a senator. No one ever heard of
either of the governors canvassing the state
to find out whether the people wanted
Judge Clark appointed to either place or
not. Judge Clark served the state faith
fully and ably in each place, and it proves
that he does not object to the appointing
power nor that the friend of the governor
be appointed provided he is the appointee.
1t also proves that the appointed officer
may be of as much service as one elected,
for the Judge certainly would not claim that
he alone would be faithful appointee.
1 concede to Judge Clark ability and hon.
esty. Being hoLest he must, if elected, use
his influence to change the law so as to
force the people to sue the railroads in each
case of violation of the law and at heavy
expense meet the expert testimony of their
employees, with the certainty of being worn
out. He knows that they will not sue. He
will use his influence to so change the law
as to offer a premium to the railroads to
litigate with the state by suspending all
rates and penalties during the continuance
of the litigation, whereby the railroads
would get all the advantages Of long-con-
tinued suits and extortionaue rates collected
by them from the people during the time
The question is shall the railroads collect
their own rates fixed by their officials dur
ing litigation and continue it as long as pos
sible, or shall the people have the benefit of
the reduction Of the rates during the litiga-
tiOnl Shall all the railroads be given a
premium for enioining the commission in
the way of extortion on the business of the
or shall they, like the citizen, take
the chances of paying the penalty if they
are wrongl Clark and his friends say give
the commission fair trial, but they wish
to take away from it all of its power to con-
troll and then turn it loose in contest with
the most powerful combination that has
sver existed in any country. They would