The age-herald., 1901-06-23
CHAIRMAN JONES TANKS
 OF BRYAN AND DEMOCRACY

licans may entertain the idea that it would be wise for the party to heed the warnings that are being sounded daily by the business men of the country, but they will be powerless to force tthe committees to act The reciprocity treaties will re- main as they are at present. unacted up- on, when the Fifty-seventh Congress ad- journs sine die. So long as Senator Ald- rich is opposed to reciprocity there will be no reciprocity legislation. There are un- doubtedy enough votes on the Republican side of the chamber to ratify the French treaty any time it is given a fair show, but Aldrich will never permit it to come up."
 will the Democrats support the Bab- cock bill?" Senator Jones was asked
 Certainly. They will support that or any other bill that is designed to regulate trusts or reduce or repeal existing tariff charges They will not have chance to vote for the Babcock bill, however. That measures will never emerge from the committee on ways and means.
 "Wfn the Democrats have any settled policy in Congress?"
 "They will endeavor to secure the pas sage of the Nicaraguan canal bill, but with what success can only conjecture. l fear that the House will not pass that bill again next winter. The influences that have defeated it so frequently are more powerful than ever since the community of interest idea has been worked out by New York millionaires and the canal bill is hardly likely to get to a.Vote again.
 What position will the Democrats take on the question of a government for the Philippines ?''
 "I can only speak for myself. I am in favor of giving them independence, of setting them up firmly and permanently, and then saying to the rest of the world Keep hands off If that is not done, then I am in favor of extending to them the largest amount of liberty possible un- der the circumstances. I cannot believe that the Supreme Courts decision in the Porto Rican case is the final utterance of that body on the great questions 1t has had under consideration. l cannot believe that the Supreme Court believes we can have Yassals or subjects. Sooner or later the Supreme Court will sound true note which will bring the imperial ists to full stop"
 Senator Jones, speaking of the recent discussion of the probability of MT. Bry- an again becoming a candidate for Presi- dent, said '1 am certain that MT. Bryan will not again run for President-certain- ly not for a great many years. l know he feels that way about the matter" ->> water companies ito acquire the fran chses or property of any similar corpor- ation located or carrying on its opera tions in the same town, by consolidation lease, or any other way or mode, except only by and with the approval and con sent, expressed officially in writing, of the municipal government of the town in which such corporations are respec- lively located. Shannon Code, sections 20f7-204S
 By these acts street railroads might amalgamate by sale, lease or consolida- ton, but only upon consent in writing of the city in which they were located.
 In 1895, by chapter 20, every street rail- road company in the state was authorized to purchase, lease or. (acquire by any) other contract, and to hold, use and op- crate any street railroad or roads, with all and singular it's or their franchises, or properties of every description, includ- ing the right to purchase the capital stock and bonds of such other companies, and to hold and dispose of the same; pro- vided the consent of such consolidation, sale, lease or other contract be given by the government of the city, where said street railroads are located.
 It will be seen, therefore, that street railroad companies have the direct au- thority of the state to lease or sell their properties, or to consolidate, but that this may be done only by and with the consent of the municipality in which their properties are situated.
 This decision shows that the city had the power to say whether the consolida- tion should or should not take place and that the haste about the passage of the Birmingham resolution was due to a fear that the Nashville decision would have some effect on this pending consolidation In Nashville during the negotiations be- tween the different companies trying to consolidate, a resolution similar to the one passed by the Birmingham City Council, was introduced in the Nashville board and, failing to, pass, was promptly withdrawn and the whole thing called off
 On September 19. 1899. the different com panies in Nashville came at the City Council again, with a resolution substi- tuted for the one that failed, promising therein to put into effect at once five