The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-04-08

/ ures from authentic sources shows that
Alabama has equally as many miles Of
railroad to the square mile of territory
as Georgia mas. notwithstanding Georgia
was one of the thirteen original colonies
and was, of course, a very old state wnen
Alabama was yet unborn.
Neither Georgia or any other southe n
state excels Alabama in its wealth of
natural resources, and the wonderful
progress which the people of the state
have made In the substantial develop
ment of these resources since the close
of the Civil war proves that they are
fully equal TO their unrivalled opportun,-
ties.
But. great as has been the development
of her resources. and remarkable as have
been the achievements of her people Ala
bama's hills and forests and fields are
still teeming with undreamed of riches.
The possibilities of the future beggar de-
seription There must be no hating I'm
der wise and liberal policy the state
has gathered within it's borders men of
means and brains, who have built up,
fostered and encouraged its industries and
institutions, who have unfateringly pro-
NOTED its material welfare, and whose
one eternal watchword and motto is pro-
gress. With this combination of natural
resources, advantageous location, brains
and spirit, Alabama leads In the march
of progress and follows no one.
Except in the minds of Mr.. Conner and
his followers. many of whom have only
their own private interests to serve all
that Alabama needs is continuance of
that wise policy of conservatism which
has brought her to her present state of
advancement. OF all the forms of indus
try railroads are obviously the greatest
instrumentality for material Improvement
and the question that Alabama will be
called upon to decide on next Monday Is
whether it will permit the railroads, and
the vast capital allied with and dependent
upon the railroads, to continue their work
of building up and fostering the material
interests of the state, or whether 1t will
advertise itself to the world as an enemy
to any class of industries or form of cap
ital, by adopting the extreme and dan
gerous policies which Mr.. Conner is seek
ing to fasten upon the state government.
The state deals with the railroads
through its judicial institutions and
through its railroad commission, accord
ing to the respective jurisdiction of each.
Both should hold the railroads to the
| strietest observance of the law, and by
| the pecu,ar nature of its organization
| the 1e'road commission especially should
IT ndei exact and equal justice as be-
| tween the railroads and the shipping pub
| lie. But it is neither right nor expedient
| that the powerful machinery which the
legislature has provided for the regulation
of railroads should be put into the hands
of a man who has openly declared him.
self to be their implacable enemy and who
has by his campaign speeches and lit
erature ,irtl ally announced that his de-
| cisi9n in every case brought before him
| viii be AGAR st the railroads. without re-
gard to the justice or injustice of his
rulings. Mr.. Conner has put himself In an
u;tudc of hostility towards every rail-
| road interest in the state. He has made
promises of a most reckless character.
lie has been shown to have been a par
t,pant in the dissatisfaction and I'M
jero ilirg of freight acts which are de-
|
His explanations of these matters have
been evasive rather than bold and con-
vincing, ano convey the idea that he cam
not see their force and the point view OF
| fair nind6dness.
To elect Mr.. Conner in the light OF these
views to an office of such vital import
ance to The people, as well as to the rail-
roads OF alabama, would be not merely
an &C. CT grave injustice; 1t would be a
backward step II the states progress--an
attack upon the greatest investments of
capital in the state, which would have its
effect upon all other capital seeking In
vestment. 1t would mean bitterness and
strife witn the railroads at a time when
harmony and GOOD feeling are peculiarly
nc sesSary To the lest interests Of the
state 80