The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-23

propriations for the opening of harbors and ports in the United States? That IS simply one form of internal improve ment. Another question, MT. Presi- dent. what would we do about the Nicaragua Canal, if we denied the right Of internal improvement?-a right so ably fought for on the floor of the Sem ate of the United States that the Gov ernment has the right to own and puild without the consent of any na- tion on earth.
 MT. Vaughn-Where are you going to get the money to do all that busi- ness?
 MT. Rogers-I will answer that re-
 mark. A few days ago there was an ordinance introduced looking to the convict system of Alabama. We will take the convicts of the State of Ala bama and will prepare roads through out the State; we will dig canals throughout the State, that will stand for future prosperity of our people, and In that way, and only that way, can you use the Convicts of the State of Alabama and not come ff4seonfiict with free labor. It would be one of the greatest movements ever made in this State. l want to call attention to an evil that is growing in this country, and which if not stopped is going to re- suit in one of the greatest expressions that has ever been placed upon any people. The greatest consolidation or transportation companies is going ' to result in less than thirty years from now, in the ownership through out the United States by not more than four men, of all the transportation com panies in the United States. This power placed in the hands of one Pres I,t iYt,rfa tn- fuence-this President appointing sub Presidents and managers throughout the United States and the thousands and thousands of employees employed. will dominate legislation. The power of the President of the United States in comparison with this vast patronage will sink into utter significance. The way of that syndicate is being pointed out by J. Pierpont Morgan in the pur- chase of shipping lines across the sea and the buying or breaking down of railroad competitors. MT. President, later on in this Convention, there will be introduced here intellectual, faulty and vicious legislation against trusts, but this ordinance, which will be re- jected is the one way in which we can confront trusts. No matter what sort of law you may place upon the statute books, unless you give power to the State to enforce the statute, it is abso- lutely worthless. You may place all the law you wish on the statute book to suppress crime, and with no officer there to enforce the law, it falls to the ground. We may never have to use this power, but it will stand in the Constitution of Alabama as menace to those corporations who may attempt to coerce the people of the State of Alabama. They will know that the people of the State of Alabama can en- gage In the building of railroads to thwart their efforts. This is not dan gerous legislation, except to greedy corporations. The gentleman from Roanoke says it is dangerous. but so Is a mule, but we don't dispense with a mule because he is dangerous. We do not propose to put men in charge of the affairs of the State of Alabama whom we cannot trust. We do not propose to nut fools in charge in Alabama, and we expect some times that the wise men of Alabama will be in control of its affairs. I have heard no argument urged against this measure, except that it is undemocratic and except that it is dangerous. Let us take up the undemocratic part of it. The word democrat" or democracy" is a rela- tive term. It gets it's life and detinl- tion every four years in this country. When we meet in national convention that which we put In our platform IS democracy. I have heard men taking about Thomas Jefferson, and Won- dered if his~t5ones did not turn over and rattle in his grave. Why, MT. Presl- dent the power of the Democratic par ty and the duty of the party is to rise up in it's might and majesty and meet issues as they come, and not pe CIT rumscribed by what some man said one hundred or two hundred years dso. If there is a fundamental principle Tn tbe Democratic party it is that people should rule, and 1t Is the only funda- mental principle at the foundation or any party in a fair government: the right of the majority to rule. Knew that we were going to be met on thls floor by the argument that 1t Is un- democratic and dangerous. Now, why danperous? Because the gentleman from Roanoke says so? He says thls State has been in business ana loSl money. I want to say that lndlVluuals at that time in business in Alabama lost money. There was at that tune financial crisis that rocked this country fron, California to New York and pros trated every bank in the state or Ala hama except one bank in Mobile.
 Cunnose a man said, l was in pusl- ness once and lost my money ana therefore. I am not going back lnto business any more. What sort or man would you consider him to De Mir President and gentlemen. we must nrofit hv the mistakes we have maue' not that we should not go back Into business. but we should confine our selves to legitimate rules of bnslpess- cannot see why men should object to this nrovision unless they are atrald to trns+ inc ueople of the State Of Ala bama.
 Mir Vaughan-Suppose the State should build a railroad and 1t proved had investment, under the section "hut shall not sell or mortgage such understandable what becomes or the investment?
 Mir. Rogers-The State of Alabama would own the investment. Did you ever buy mule that was a losing in- vestment? That provision is put Tn there for the purpose of preventing the State from selling it or mortgag1ng It to outside parties. lending its aid to outside individuals. The argument, be- cause a man might go into business and find it a losing one might apply to any business on earth. How can you tell whether you will win or lose until you go into it.
 MT. Duke-I Would ask the gentle man if this does not prevent the selling of the improvement?
 Mir Rogers-As a matter of course yes, sir.
 Mir. Duke-If the State owned road
 ,p5or +bi. nrovisinn if could not SelN