The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-05-09
Eetters tc tbe Gdftcr
Whither Are We Drifting.


 This is a question of serious import to the Democratic party at this time. Until recently the Democratic party, before each election, met in conven- tion and declared in platforms adopt ed the policies and principles for which It stood. At the present time all ques- tions and principles, heretofore advo- cated. seem to be utterly lost sight of and the one single issue the railroad question" to overthrow and dominate all others. Little, if anything is heard these days of how we can best develop our State, our industrial enterprises improve our public schools, and reduce taxation the tariff question. once the slogan of Democracy, our foreign poli- cies, imperialism. and even the great financial question Is entirely forgotten and ignored in the mad rush for the anti-corporation band wagon. Is it wise for the Democratic party to be- come rarty with "one idea. a hobby so to speak, and thus contract the sphere of its own usefulness? Is it not time to call a halt and set our bear ings? Are there grievances against the railroads, if so let us calmly, in- telltgently and impartially find out upon what they are founded. The in- vestlgation during the past week be- fore the Railroad Commission has cer- tainly demonstrated clearly, concise- ly and logically, that the claim her aided all over Alabama in the last pri- maries, that our local rates were 40 and 80 per cent higher than in Geor- gia was not only misleading, but who'll ly erroneous. In fact, 1t was clearly proven that upon fair and impar- tial comparison, the average local rate In Alabama on the l.. and N. Railroad as compared to the average. rate on all roads in Georgia, is slightly lower in Alabama than in Georgia; and on general comparison of all rates,s on all lines in Alabama and Georgia, 1t was further shown that the local rates were not so greatly disproportionate in the two States as to other roads in Ala bama other than the L. & N, while 1t was forcibly shown that Alabama cer- tatnlY enjoyed a very superior adVan tage on interstate traffic over her sister State of Georgia.
 It was, however, developed that there were inequalities, errors and irregular and the railroads owe 1t to the people of Alabama to correct them at once, and 1t Is the duty of the present com mission to require that this be done 1t be done also as to interstate mat ters. The people should be fair and impartial in the consideration of these questions It will not do to accept the man, or set of men about these mat ters. It is too important a subject to be treated lightly, hastily played with for political effect, or with feeling. ly every section of Alabama, and have done more than any other agency to develop our resources and upbuild the State, and 1t Is a most deplorable fact, that at this time, the Democratic party seems in a fair way to be brought into open warfare upon these great arteries of commerce." Let us pause and consider well before taking this fatal step. Let us broaden our views and in the nomination of candi- dates in the next primary select the wisest, best and purest men for all the places. Let us not be led astray to support those men only, whose chief qualification Is that they can talk loud and long against corporations and rail- roads All men in Alabama who have sire cheaper rates of transportation, but they do not desire 1t to the injus- tice, or confiscation of the railroads, nor is it necessary in order to have this subject fully and thoroughly investi- gated that the only issue should be is too broad and liberal in its policies to be committed to a single idea" Let us return to first principles and having regard to all the tenets of De- mocracy elect broad minded men who embody all these principles as against by" There are three basic grounds upon which the designing politician usually builds his political structure. First. selfishness; second, ignorance; third, prejudice, after which comes passion, binding men to reason and the goal of his cherished ambition. The people often awake but some times too late. It Is to be hoped that the Democratic party will not commit itself to the "one idea" theory, nor to ride a hobby" which would be disas- and material prosperity of the State.
 PSo. Bouo. Publico