The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-04-03
THE RAILROAD
COMMISSONERSHlIp

1
cupied high positions AZ tho hsne.,,.
the people and who have al all times az.
ecuted their trust with integrity and zea
N the interest Of their felIow,ncn. II /.
30 often the case that men taken sro,,
the ranks and elevated to birh o0,c,,,,
positions, feeling secure In their macs
iIset the power which created tbcn,
ana cater to the siren voice or the classes
asalnst the welfare OF the masses. II a.
s.' Wen That the faithful public
servant have his reward and tbat b,s Viz.
tues DC known TO those whom he serves.
man snouid be praised for doing his duty.
TOT often II Is easier and mora n,ori, Nj
| " neglect II, and tho man in official M
sitfon who does bis whole di,ty
must DO u IN the face OF violent opposition
'roin tnat class having IAN AK to grind"
Among those public servants. Of Texas
VINO are Justly noted for their devotion to
duty. none show a brighter record for the
| length Of time N service than Allison
Mayheld, member of the railroad co,nn,s-
sion NO young man seems more firmly
hAeu IN the hearts OF the masses than
'nis gifted North Texan. now the colleague
OF that grand old patriot, John II. Reagan
1
roNers a period OF more than ffty wears.
hnnowed with great natural ability and a
sterling character Allison Mayfield s has
Forged his own way to public esteem in
spite OF obstacles that would have dis
Outraged weaker man. Born In Risk
county and reared on farm that sumo
rior training school for men, though his
narents were poor in worldly goods. The
Young man WAS rich in mentality and de-
termination. spurred OH by laudable
ana lofty ambition he secured such school
iEg as the public schools afforded and
then entered Sam Houston Normal where
( ne graduated with honors. Leaving the
college halls and Following the natural
bent of his mind he took up the Study of
law and was soon admitted TO the bar.
He began his practice at Sherman, and
IL was there the writer first formed his
acquaintance. some five years ago He
pushed rapidly to the front in Sherman.
earning the reputation of being lawyer
OF splendid ability. SO we'll did he meas
ure up to the required standard. that dur
ing his term as attorney general Governor !
Culberson rendered him responsible =
sitioc In that office. He accented but 4
remained only a short time, returning to |
his lucrative practice at Sherman. Upon i
his election as governor In 1894 Governor
Cuiberson insisted that Mr. Mayfield accept /
the portfolio OF State. which he finally did
He held this position for Two years exhibit /
Ing the SINE good sense aud executive 1
ability which has characterized his efforts
in other fields. Offering for the nomina-
ton for railroad commissioner in 1896 lie
was successful on first ballot over such
distinguished ard well know, competitors
as John d. Mccall, John b. Peyton. Alvin
G, Owsley and John n. Cochran He was
elected In November Of that year and upon
the expiration OF his term as secretary OF
IA In Matt Inn
the people had elected him..
4E5 l.
His services in this important position
Lave clearly demonstrated the wisdom or
The selection. Mr. Maytield Is en- indefatiy-
able worker and keeps himself fully abreast
If the duties and responsibilities resting
lpon him. IN evidence of this and OF his
fitness for the place which no
hollis, as well as his devotion to the in.
crest of the people, 1t Is only necessary to
mention a few of his acts upon the most
questions with which the COM
mission has lad 10 deal since he became a | .
member, fourteen months ago. AS Will be
remembered about the first complicated
question taat arose after his qualification
vas with reference to the control of the J
commission over the short line of railroad ,
wned by that monster monopoly. the CAL
eston Wharf company. The question was
he making OF rates for this line, and {
layfed was one of the two commissioners i
;ho held to the affirmative OF this prop
Sition. The next was the adoption OF a
ariff for the regulation OF the charges OF u
xprcss companies Notwithstanding the
act that these great corporations were c
ONE years ago made, by law, subject TO o.
he control OF the commission, no effort
ln IN I'm nd
schedule of rates applicable 10 them.
iayfield took up the matter and pressed
IS Importance and soon a tariff was issued.
he companies, following the line of the
alroads when freight tariffs first went =
lto effect, applied to the Federal court !,
Dr. an injunction restraining the commits ),
ion from putting its tariff into effect. !,
his suit has been pending until recently !.
hen the companies had 1t dismissed and !.
ccepted the rates fxed by the commission.
he companies are now doing business UNI :,
err the commission rates and they are .
luch lower than ever before And this Is i
uo largely 10 the efforts Of Commissioner =
ayficld. n
Then came the matter Of rates on cotton =
,ipmen.s. His efforts at reduction along
dis line are matters of common repute. g
ad the rate he proposed been adopted Z
would have reduced the cost Of handling i,
,tton about so cents per bale. This, how
ycr, was not agreed to and the COM r;
ission adopted a rate reducing the cost b
handling about 25 cents only. II IL Ii
It the purpose of this statement to detract b
en- the we'll earned laurels and faithful
forts o. the other henderson, the conf 4
ission. There can be nothing but praise
+ the work of all. for they are all good n
en- and the commission has done and Ia Z
III doing great work for the Texas ship p
r and producer. II is only intended ny n
e above to show that the acts named v
the excellent judgment OF the pl
,ople Of Texas in placing the Graysoa p
unity man on this important tribunal. 10 ct
CIV that Allison Mayfield is OF the peo- II
o aud faithfully looking and laboring to p
@ interest OF the greatest number. az
The three members of the commission ia
ere elected In 1896 and Mayfcld drew the p'
ort term, two years. His experience has -