The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-08-19
FAVORED BY MORGAN
ELECTION OF RAILROAD COM
 MISSION BY PEOPLE.
The Senior Senator Writes to Chair man Frank s. White-Sees No Reason sor Withholding
 Right from People.

United States Senator John T. Morgan has addressed the following letter to Capt. Frank S. Wh te S.ate Chai man of the committee in the campaign to se- cure an elective Railroad Commi si m fo- Alabama:
 "Wa~m Springs Va, Aug 6. 1902. Dear Sit-In your favor of the 2nd instant. you ask my opinion to the proper manner of e.ecting Railroad Com- mis sioners. I can see no reason for with holding their election from the direct vote of the people and filling the office by executive appointment.
 Their official functions are not more important, mere delicate, or more respon- sible than those of other officers who are elected by the direct vote of the people; such as the Governor the Legislature, the judges of all the courts and all the Cf- ficers of the State, the counties and the municipalities.
 Everybody Is the frend of the rail- roads. and all are interest ed in the pro- lection of their property and all their rights. Railroads ara public highways in private ownership and control. Their service is rendered to the people and their support comes from them, so that the people have double interest in their duties and responsibilities. and have the right to be represented directly in the boards of control that are found neceg- sary under the laws to regulate their dealings with the public.
 Necessary to Regulate.
 Being of necessity great corporations, with almost discretionary power over large numbers of pc e1ple and. with few local stockholders. managers or directors, there must be some State tribunal to ad- just and regulate ther control and opera tions. with r, ference to the general well fare of the people they were created to serve as common carriers.
 "As co. porations, their exttence and all of their powers, are derived from the sovereignty of the people expressed in laws enacted by the State Legislature; yet no restraint Is placed upon the man. ner of choosing their agents ard repre- sentatives in the transaction of business f. the public They can appoint such agents as they choose to select. without reference to national ty or identification, with the people of the State, by residence or the ownership of property, and can remove them al will; so that their obe- dience to orders is absolute. The people have not attempted to control the exer- else of such authority, under corporate powers granted by them, and will not do so.
 "As the officers and agents of the rail- road companies are responsible directly to them, it seems to se indisputable. on principle, that the officers, created by law, to look after the fntere ts of the people. should be responsible to them, in like manner. as nearly as possible. The people can more certainly control their agents, the railroad commissioners, through election of such agents, than by the indirect and circuitous method now in vogue.
 Should Be Direct.
 Responsibility for official conduct should always be as direct as possible to the appointing power. This is the inva- riablc rule of the railroad companies in theN management of their agents, and 1t is quite as imperative that the agents of the people, who represent their interests in trans portation, taxation and the many other matters that Tellte to railroads, should be directly responsible to the peo- pie It seems to me that this is the cor rect theory that answers the question propounded to me in your letter. But l state these opinions with hesitancy, be- cause the subject is within the exclusive control of the legisla tive department of the State government, whose abilities and experience in government will be quite equal to. the duty of settling the question for the best interests of the people.
 While I am in the Senate. I dislike to venture the statement of my opinions on questions that belong properly, and therefore, exclusively to the State gov ernment.
 With great regard. sincerely yours.
 -adv. "John T. Morgan"