Birmingham state herald., 1896-09-13
oHANDa OFE 2,

H. road corporations appear to have de- termined to take charge of the politics Of the state. Under the above caption we find the following editorial in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. It is evident that the democrats of Missouri, like the demo- crats of Alabama, are ready for the fray if nothing short of fight to the finish will satisfy the railroad corporations:
 Proof accumulates every day that the railroad companies in Missouri and else- where have adopted and are enforcing systematic plan of coercing their ein- ployes into voting the Mckinley ticket, If the officers of these corporations i'm agine that they can pursue this shame less and infamous policy without provok- ing retaliation, let them read the fol- lowing resolution adopted by the dems-. cratic convention of Laclede county, which met at Lebanon, Mo-, on Monday last and which nominated Hon. J. W. Farrls for representative:
 We view with alarm the constant in- crease in the purchasing power of money and the corresponding decline in the value of the products of labor which, If continued, will destroy the independence and dignity of the American farmer. There is no hope for a change. except by the restorat tion of the free coinage of silver and Q consequent increase in the volume of standard money. Unless such legislation can be secured as a result of the approaching election, just regard for the rights of the many demands the enactment of state laws reducing by at least 25 per cent all fixed charges which the people must pay, including rate of interest salaries and transportation charges, and our nominee for representa- tive is instructed accordingly
 Captain Farris is sure of election He will be one of the most influential mem- hnrc of thn avt n1tri If res natives and probably it's speaker. He s bound by the above instructions given by his constituents. Nobody doubts that he has the courage to carry them out to the extent of his ability and .n- fluence.
 "The railroad companies are stirring the embers of a volcano. If they leave their legitimate business to go into poli- tics they must accept the consequences of defeat. Whatever the result of the national election may be, Missouri is cer- tain to go democratic and to elect democratic legislature. Other county conventions should follow the example of Laclede and instruct their representa- tives. If the railroads want a fight let them have it to q finish.
 "The people should serve upon them this ultimatum: Hands off, or assess ments go up and transportation rates go down!
 In Alabama, as in Missouri. "the rail road companies are stirring the embers of a volcano" Here as there if they propose ito go into politics. they must accept the consequences of defeat"
 Whether Bryan or Mckinley is elected Alabama is democratic, and will remain democratic "If the railroads want fight let them have 1t to a finsh," says the Post-Dispatch for the democracy Of Missouri. The same feeling is fast taking rot in Alabama The Post-Dispatch urges the democrats of Missouri to serve the following ultmatum on the railroad corporations and the resolution copied above indicates that the advise will be needed:
 Hands off or assessments go up and transporta ton rates go down.
 If the same spirit se4zes upon the Ala bama democracy the railroad corpora tions can lay the blame for it at their own door.
 They have been chartered to transact certain lines of business n this state. If they choose to add to that the business of politics and undertake to control Ala bama politically they are going to h5ar from the people, and about what the 1eo- pie say there will be no uncertain sound.