The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-25

An eminent statesman has said "the power to tax Is the power to destroy" Governments should provide against possibilities, as possibilities often be- come Facts. Limit, therefore, the legis- lative power of taxation: and yet so impose this limitation as to shield from suspicion the honor and credit of the State.
 The spirit of the age is licentious and extravagant: The old economies have become disreputable by desuetude. In- dividual characteristics have been made the habits of Government, and Govern ment has degenerated into a mere ina strumentality for the advancement of personal ambitions. and the promotion of personal aims in ways that would have shocked the primitive simplicity of the men who conceived and illus trated in their lives the great problem of free Government on this continent. As far as may be, in due deference to- circumstances. let us limit the duties of Government to the ends of govern ment, which may be summed up in the general phrase, "The full protection of the rights of person and of property"
 The simplest government is the best. The complications of a fnultiform ma chinery, however suitable to the devel- opments of the special sciences. only aggravate the burthens, which more or less attend every form of civil admin istration. Abstract from the funda-
 mental law every useless instrument tality so as to have as few intermedi- aries as possible between the Govern ment and the people. We thus secure both responsibility and economy; and the harmony of protection and depend ence, which is the great law of order, | is placed beyond the hazards of fiuctu- ations or disturbance.
 | Abstinence Is a cardinal virtue, and ] should be as potent in the Jaw of the States as in the conduct of individuals. | Govern as little as possible and only by general laws, Is the rule of wisdom | sanctioned by experience. Discrimina- | tions, whether protective or punitive | are always invidious, and, therefore, | always unjust. l The growth of corporations is one of | the marvels of the age in which We l live. Their power, like that of King l George, ''has increased, is increasing. l and ought to be diminished" Great | as they are, they are simply the rep
 resentatives of individual interests, and are never organized except to pro- mote personal ends. The dignity of government is always compromised I when its credit is surrendered and it's
 honor committed to other custodians | than its own agent and servants. Con- | stitutional prohibitions should protect the State against the contingencies of legislative departure from this princi- pie.
 Special limitations should be placed | upon counties, towns and other civil | municipalities; and they should be res-
 trained from lending their credit to ventures of private speculation, how | ever plausible in theory and possibly
 profitable in results.
 l Local legislation, though sometimes l seeming exigent. should be absolutely | forbidden. Its enactments are insidi- ous its excuses spacious. and its aims | often illegitimate and sometimes de- moralizing and corrupt
 The liberties of the people can only be preserved through an incorruptible | judiciary. It Is the interpretation of
 the law by the courts, even more than
 the law itself, that gives to legislation | its character for wisdom or folly. In- dependence in action, except to just public criticism, should be secured by 1 judges who administer the laws by | Axtended terms, thus removing them, | as far as possible, from explosions of | popular clamor on the one hand, and l the temptations to seek popular favor by unworthy means on the other. | Gentlemen of the Convention, it is l neither my province nor my purpose to l do more than suggest some general | principles for your consideration-leav- ing their value to be determined by | your higher and better judgment. | With a salubrious climate. a generous | and productive soil. mineral wealth in
 boundless profusion, and water power
 of vast capabilities, our State lacks
 nothing to make 1t great except good
 government-honest and economical,
 just and fair, frugal in the bestowal of | power, rigid in the exactions of duty, l and temperate, conservative and
 rational in all of its provisions. This
 great trust Is confided to us. That
 our deliberations to this end may be harmonious, our labor successful, and i the final consummation all that our
 people could wish, is the hope with
 which I accept the onerous and respon-
 sible position you have assigned to me.
 Again thanking you for the distin-
 guished honor am now ready to take
 the oath of office.