davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1901-11-20

household necessity. DR.. Thomas Eclec-
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Sort cures sore throat, Group, catarrh,
asthma; never fails.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-19
|C0NDENNATION OF CONVENTION FOR REFUSING
 TO ABOLISH TENACIOUS FREE PASS SYSTEM
From Every the State Come Protests Against the Delegates Declining Put QueI Upon Methods Which Long Re- proa to the Commonwcalth- Citizens Vigorous Denomc-
 ing the Species of Bribery"

From all sections of Alabama the voice of protest is heard against the action of the Constitutional Conven- ton in refusing to relieve the State of the pernicious practice of public off, cials placing themselves under obliga- tions to railroad companies by the &C., ceptance of free passes.
 Advertiser correspondents have inter- viewed men of every walk of life-the real people of Alabama-and in almost every instance the answer is that the Constitutional Convention should put a clause in the new instrument that will forbid State officials from subjecting themselves to this Species of bribery With practical unanimity members of the legislature are condemned for ac- cepting railroad passes and charging the State with mileage. With practi- cal unanimity the citizens interviewed demand that the Convention take steps to relieve the people of this iniquity.
 Efforts were made in Montgomery by Advertiser representatives to secure expressions of opinion from public offi- cials. but in every instance they de- clined to talk for publication. Several of them admitted the evil of the free pass by saying that they would not go on record against it because they had accepted passes themselves.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-19
JUDGE WINTER ASKS IF
 RAILROADS SHOULD GOVERN

Judge John c. Winter. former Judge of the City Court of Montgomery. ex- pressed himself as emphatically op- posed to the acceptance of free passes
 by public officials. ..s-. while I dislike exceedingly to ap, Epsar in the public prints,'' said Judge Winter. "I think this is the time for every citizen, who has the good of the State at heart to speak out when call ed upon. In my opinion this custom of giving passes by the railroads to our officials-especially to our Judges and legislators-is one of the crying evils of the times. It Is the duty of
 our Convention-a duty they owe to the people of our State-to effectually
 prevent 1t.
 Ask yourself the question why
 passes to officials are not only given whenever requested. but are frequently rendered? Is it in a spirit of charity especially to the legislator who draws
 his mileage out of the State Treasury
 in addition to his per diem? Or is it
 because of the benefits the railroad ex- pect to receive, and isn't the latter we'll known to the official who accepts the pass?
 i.I am satisfied, however. that nine tenths of the officials who accept these passes convince themselves that they
 are too honest and strong to be influ-
 enced thereby. But we are all hu-
 man and this the railroad officials well
 know. Why the tremendous efforts
 put forth by the railroads to defeat
 any measure proposed to prevent the givin of these passes? The question answers itself.
 "In my opinion, the Convention can not afford not to do it's plain duty in
 this matter, and I still believe they
 will be equal to the occasion. In thus expressing myself, desire to say that while I am the friend of corporations, especially the railroad interests, yet. like all others, they should be govern
 ed. I am utterly opposed to being gov erred by them. The question is, shall
 the people govern them. or shall they govern the people? I am nevertheless
 in favor of doing full justice to all cor
 porations. and in fostering all enter
 prises, consistently with the public
 good.''
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-19
CONVENTION SHOULD
 ABOLISH THE PRACTICE.

Anniston, July 1S.-(Special.)-The general opinion here Is that the Con- vention should have passed one of the resolutions prohibiting the giving of passes to State officers. The matter is being discussed on the streets. and every one seems to favor the resoiu- tions or one of the amendments When seen this afternoon, the following men expressed themselves:
 William H. Zinn-I consider it very wrong that legislators put themselves in positions of being under obligations to the railroad companies for passes received.
 ]. c. Sproull-I think it is an outrage for the State to pay the legislators mileage and them to ride on free passes, because it is equivalent to them taking that much money from the rail- roads, all of which has the effect of bribe,
 w. c. Sproull-I attribute the fact that Alabama is dominated by rail- roads today largely to the free pass system.
 Lucien Keith-I do not think any off, ficer of the State or member of the Legislature should be permitted to ac- cept a pass.
 F.. H. Hanna--I am opposed to any public official using a pass, and think the same should be prohibited by the Constitution.
 R. H. Stickney-No member of the Legislature has any right to accept a pass from the railroad and then draw mileage from the State.
 E. E. Elam-I don't think any man holding a public office should ride on a pass.
 H. D. McCarty-The people of Annis- ton are very much surprised at the re- suit of the voting on the pass ques- tion in the Constitutional Convention. We thought the delegates were suf- ficiently acquainted with the pass evil, and we hope they will reconsider their hasty action and set themselves right before the public, as their action has a tendency to inspire distrust in the whole proceeding of the Constitutional
 
 Convention.
 Judge A. F. McGhee-The practice of accepting free passes by public officials, especially judicial and legislative of ficers. is pernicious and if propriety will not prompt them to discontinue the practice, then there should be a law to prohibit it. It is not necessarily a fact that officials are influenced by free passes in the discharge of their duties, but the influence should be re- moved, both for the sake of the rail- roads and the officials.
 George F. Cater-I endorse the posi- tion of The Montgomery Advertiser. am opposed to legislators riding on passes and then getting mileage from the State.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-19
VIEWS OF CITIZENS OF
 MARENGO METROPOLIS

Demopolis, July 1S.-(Special. )-The following is the result of interviews with some prominent citizens on the question of state officials being allowed to accept railroad passes.
 l.. A. George merchant-I think the custom of accepting them ought to be done away with.
 N. G. Vim, warehouseman-The ought to pay fare or stay at home.
 Professor McLeod-I think it simply subsidies them and they belong to the railroads.
 H. A. Policeman, merchant-They ought not to be allowed to accept them.
 A G. Ellis. merchant-The law should remain as 1t is.
 J.R. Robertson. banker-Don't think any Judicial or legislative official should ever accept such a favor from a rail- road for even though he might not be influenced thereby, his constituency would inevitably think so and it would place those who accept such faVors in an embarrassing position when they have to pass upon questions involving the interests and policy of railroads.
 l.. Kaufpan. merchant-I think they ought to be allowed to accept them.
 H. B. Pake. merchant-I have never given the matter much thought, but 1t seems to me that they ought not to be allowed to accept them.
 A. Y. Sharpe. insurance-I am against their accepting them. They can't be independent if they accept them.
 L. Cornish Tax coileetar-I don't
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-19

this County-I think it bad policy for public officials to accept bounties at the hands of corporate interests. It certainly trenches upon sound morals for members of the legislature to draw compensation for mileage when they have been paid. The fact that the vice cannot. in every instance, be prevented Is no reason why it should not be con- demned by the fundamental law of this enlightened commonwealth.
 John T. Worthy-Think something should be done to remedy the pass evil.
 E. P. Duncan-I think an ordinance should be placed in the Constitution preventing public officials from riding on free passes and then collecting fare from the State.
 A. P. Fuquay-I believe 1t radically wrong for legislators or public officials to hold a pass from railroads and col lect mileage from the State and believe that the. Constitutional Convention should declare against it.
 S' AAooISAs ASNAbOh VI @hS OetAOOn The free pass dodge is worked indus triously by those compensated by the State for every mile travelled in official capacity and some provision should be made against an official of the State accepting such favors at the hands of corporate bodies. The five cents per mile allowed by the State for the trav- cling expenses is enough for actual ex- penses. An official has no right to col lect fare from the people at the same time accepting the pass courtesies of railroads.
 Dr. T. s. Street. think the funda- mental law of the State should declare against any State official riding on free passes and collecting mileage from the State. s4 |. NJ Thomas--Legisiators heiding free passes from railroads should not be allowed to collect mileage. and this Convention should correct the evil.
 Public sentiment is undoubtedly against the present pass system.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-19
IS BUSINESS OBLIGATION,
 SAYS A BUSINESS MAN.

Mir. s. J. Goetter. a we'll known busi- ness man, said that he did not approve of the action of the Convention. He said that when public officials accepted free railroad passes they were getting money that was not due them. Inas- much as they were being remunera&ed, it was injustice to the taxpayers. He said it was sure to place the person thus accepting a pass under obligation to the railroad that issued 1t, just as much as If merchant going to the Eastern markets should accept a pass to get there. he would feel obligated to ship his goods over the road that gave him a pass.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-19
CITIZENS OF BLoCToN
 DISCUSS THE QUESTION.

Blocton, July 1s.-(SpeciaD-The Ad- vertiser correspondent interviewed a number of prominent citizens today in reference to the Murphree and Jones amendments of Section 6. Legislative Department, which dealt with the mileage and free passes for members of the Legislature.
 Hon. W. P. Logan, lawyer. said: "l am in favor of member drawing his mileage at regular ticket rate, but l am opposed to any member accepting a pass from a railroad under any cir cumstances and should one accept 1t should be a criminal offense."
 Colonel A. L. Arnold, lawyer: "I am unequivocally opposed to members ac- cepting passes from railroads and should they do so both should be pun ished for a misdemeanor and the mem Der so accepting should forfeit his right to a seat in the body"
 Judge A. H. Gentry: 'I oppose any public official using free passes and for a member of the Legislature 10 do So I think the new Constitution should make it bribery and punish both road and member accordingly"
 Hon. J. B. Wadsworth. President Blocton Savings Bank, said: ''I fully endorse the position of Captain White in reference to the pass question. think that no public official should &C., cept a pass. think. too. that the Con- stitution should expressly prohibit 1t"
 Hon. w. l.. Rogers. Superintendent Tennessee Coal. Iron and Railroad Company: "I am in favor of the Con- stitution remaining on this subject as it now is.''
 Judge J. A. Wood: "I am opposed to any government official using passes, and it should be misdemeanor for the Legislator to use one, besides which he should forfeit his offlce."
 Mir. John F. Golson. Deputy Sheriff: q am opposed to any public officer using passes except sheriffs. Deputy sheriffs and Constabes. The last named officers should have passes by all means"
 The general sentiment In this section is opposed to members using passes and it is regretted that the White and Jones amendments were lost.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-19
TUSCALOOSA AGAINST
 PASSES FOR OFFICIALS.

Tuscaloosa, July S.-(Special.)-Th Advertiser correspondent interviewed a lerge lumber of citizens this afternoon and the opinion prevails that the Con- ver.ion should have passed amend ments to prevent the giving of passes to State officials several incline to the view that the matter should be left to the Legislature. but with four exceptions every person interviewed believes it for the best interests of the stete that Legislators should not ac- cept passes from railroads.
 Following are some individual ex- pressions obtained:
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-19

ho NCTc iHtCttiCWCo III IcSdTu tO tHe giving of passes by the railroads to public officials and the action of the Constitutional Convention in refusing to incorporate an act prohibiting 1t.
 W. A. Austin. merchant, said: There should be an amendment pro- hibiting public officials from accepting passes from railroads The tendency of the pass system is evil and demor- alizing in its effects
 A, Hohenberg, banker and merchant The accepting of railroad passes by public officials is great evil, and has a ccrrupting influence upon legisla ton and the proper administration of ins- tice. It should be prohibited.
 Judge Cabo; Luli-The Convention made a grave mistake in it's action in regard to the pass system. The con- census of opinion throughout the State is in favor of the New York constitu- tional provision in regard to passes.
 M. Hohenberg, banker and merchant No one holding an office in the State should be allowed passes from a rail- road.
 J. NJ. Holley. lawyer-The accept ing of passes by officials is of cor rupting influence, and should be pro. hibited.
 W. l.. Lancaster, banker-The action of the Convention was wrong ana surprise to me. l consider the pass system one of the worst evils of the day.
 T. J. Britt, merchant--Oficials should not be allowed to accept passes.
 L. D. Rouse, merchant-The accept ing of passes by officials Is wrong. It places them under the influence of corporations. and perhaps unknowingiy to them influences their action. to some extent atSieast.
 F. W. Lull---Refusing to incorporate an anti-pass clause in the Constitu- ton is the gravest mistake the Con- vention has vet made.
 John Cain. druggist-Oflcials should be prohibited from accepting passes from railroads.
 McD. Cain-The accepting of passes by officials is wrong and should be prohibited.
 Ed Smith, merchant-The Convention committed an error in refusing to adopt an anti-pass clause. The system tends to corruption.
 b. W. Walkley, merchant-For pub lie officials to accept passes obligates them to some extent and has a tend ency to influence legislation.
 G. H. Parker. ex-Member of the Legislature-The practice should be stopped. It is pernicious in its influ- encc.
 J. NJ. Howle, merchant-The pass system Is corrupting in its influence, and should be prohibited by constitu- tional enactment. The Convention committed an error and should rectify it.
 J. H. Phillips. planter-1 am op- posed to officials accepting passes from railroads, because the tendency is evil. The prohibition should apply to news papers also.
 H. H. Robison-rhere should be a constitutional enactment against off cials accepting railroad passes.
 Nearly all think the Convention com mitted an error in refusing to incor- porate the ant-pass clause in the Con- stitution. Such a clause would be to strengthen the instrument when sub mitted to the people for ratification.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-19
ALEXANDER CITY IS
 OPPOSED TO SYSTEM

Alexander City. July 1S.-(Special.)- The Advertiser correspondent inter- viewed a number of prominent citizens in regard to the action of the Consti- tutional Convention on the pass ques- tion yesterday. with the following re- suit:
 N. S. Walker, ExTax Assessor Think it an outrage for officials to ride on free passes and charge up mileage to the State.
 |. H. J. Gillian, representative from
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-19
MANY sELMIANS FEAR
 TO GIVE AN OPINION.

Selma, July -(SpeciaD-When asked their views this evening on the pass question, many of the most prom inent citizens refused to express an opinion on the subject. as they did not want to go on record as being either for or against the measure.
 Isaac Schwartz. one of the most learned and influential Jewish citizens. said:
 The Constitutional Convention will demonstrate great dignity and sense of delicacy if 1t succeeds in prohibiting the acceptance of free passes on railroads by State officials and members of leg islative bodies. though 1t Is barely pos sibIe that any man selected by the people as the favored or able one would motive is so glaring. By the law of | compensation. corporations might have a right to expect reciprocal courtesies. while a public official in the discharge of his public duty should be under no sense of obligation nor lower the dig nity of his position by accepting Dri- vate benefits while discharging public duties. With the mercenary or indif- ferent person. the practice would be | dangerous, while he with a proper sense of delicacy would not appropri- ate the courtesy. hence lose nothing by the prohibition"
 Dr. T. P. Gary: 'I do not think that the resolution should have been de- | feated, but l do not believe that pub. lie officials should accept passes."
 E. Lamar: "I think no officer, State county or city. should use a pass al any time.'
 K. R. Kornegay: "I see no reason why a man should not ride on a rail- road pass if the company gives 1t to him voluntarily. for no good man will be bought or biased by passes B. F. Wilson: ''l am opposed to mem bers of the Legislature and judicial of- ficers accepting passes from rail ,, roads"
 Judge Craig: "I am opposed to passes for any kind of officials"
 pr. A. J. Dickinson: "I am opposed to
 (continusd on Page 12.)
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-19

see how any one can be free to pass on questions affecting the railroads if he accepts their passes.
 Judge John c. Anderson-I am in fa- vor of stopping all passes and making 1t misdemeanor for any official to ac- cept one, and think 1t as wrong for legislative and executive officials to use them as 1t is for judicial ones. l have never been able to see the dis tinction that some people draw by cen suring only the judges for using them The pass system ought either to be prohibited or the present section for bidding the issuance. thereof left out.
 William H. welch--I think there ought to be some law passed that will prohibit public officials accepting them.
 Rev. J. H. James-I never liked 1t and I have known several men who would not accept them.
 F G. Stickney. cotton buyer-I have never given the matter any serious consideration. but don't think that State officials ought to accept passes.
 E. B. McCarty. Inerchant-I have no objection to the present system of ex- tending the courtesies of the railroads to any officials. I do not believe it subsidies them as it Is too general a custom.
 Tobe Ely. merchant-I don't think &C., cepting passes keeps officials from performing their full duty.
 Prof. J. B. Cassiday-I don't believe they ought to accept them.
 Seeb Maury. cotton buyer-1 am against officials accepting passes.
 Prof. J. B. Harrison-I am against it. as it is put:ing too big premium on dishonesty.
 H. A. Monnier. marshall believe that accepting passes makes officials partial to the railroads. M Elyl. merchant--f' think the pres ent system is all right.
 E. A. Breitling. nnerchant--I believe it would be a good idea if they were prohibited from accepting passes.
 G. G. Griffin, policeman-I think they ought not to be allowed to accept them.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-19
Suits Against b. G N. Dismissed.

New York, July 1S-Judge La Combe, of the United States Circuit Court, today. dismissed twenty suits brought by mem bers of the 69th regiment against the Louisville and Nashville Railroad to re- cover damages for injuries received in the wreck of a train near Birmingham while they were being transferred from one camp to another during the Spanisha American War. There were about sev~ enty suits in all brought by members of the regiment.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-19
America and FrithjOb Part Company.

flagship America of the Baldwin Zeigler arctic expedition, with Evelyn B. Baldwin on board. which left Tromsoe bound north yesterday. parted today from the Prfe4iob another vessel of the expedition. the Frithiob sailing for Franz Jcsehand. The America proceeds to Archangeis Russia. to reach there July 22 The Beis gioa, the third ship of the expedition, will sail from here July 22
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-19

Hon. Henry A. Jores-The Conven- tion should enact such provision ana make it self-enacting. Obligations to corporations is one of the greatest evils of the day. Legislators with passes in their pockets are untrue to the rail- roads If they do not help them ana untrue to us if they do. R. C. McCalla, Government engineer As a general rule. I believe the Con- stitution should be as simple as pos- sible and not loaded down with de- tails.
 ]. c. Harrison, of Harrison & Har- rison-Legislators should not be per mitted to accept favors from railroads Major James spence-The conven- tion's act is a grand outrage.
 c. c. seed-I don't want to vote for any man who accepts passes.
 Hon. F. S. Moody--Something cer- tainly ought to be done. Free passes influences judges and legislators wheth. CT they know it or not. Perhaps a better plan would be to require rail- roads to give all judges and legislators free passes. They are going to give passes anyhow and the officers ought to feel that they owe no obligation to roads and that passes are the result of the law.
 F. P. Blair. President of the Com- mercial Club-The Convention should pass an ordinance so binding that leg islators could not possibly accept passes. and make it so that Leglsla- lures could not change the provision. I believe in making 1t positive.
 Hon. D. A. Collier-The best iater- ests of the State would inhibit legis- lators from riding on passes. Capt. A. B. McEachern--The free pass custom may be evii in tendencies, but 1t Is folly in the Convention tc attempt to abolish the evil by consti- tutional provision. Free passes are given to preachers upon the assump- tion that preachers are promoters of public good. and why should not leg islators and public officers be fevored on the same ground.
 Dr. W. E. Bingham-Legislators should be beholden to nobody.
 Capt. w. A. Collier-As long as leg islators are under obligation to rail- roads, they cannot legislate absolutely justly.
 M. P. Jemison, of Allen and Jemison Co.-No State official should be al- lowed to accept passes.
 B. B. Cooper. Circuit Clerk-Men in high places should not accept such fa- vors.
 Judge J. c. Browne-It Is certainly questionable and in bad taste for leg islators to accept such favors. Prof. Ormond Somerville-The Gen. vention should pass such an ordinance as a matter of public policy.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-19
SENTIMENT AGAINST
 THE GIVING OF PASSES

Wetumpka. July 1s.-(Special. "A number of leading citizens of Wetump-
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-19

(continued on Page Thrse.)
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-19

(continusd on Page 12.)