The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-15
HARDWICK TALKS
 OF THE NEW SOUTH Thinks Esch-1 townsend NglIl
 Would be Injurious WOULD RETARD THE SOUTH Urges South Carolina Editors to op- pose Putting Transportation Af-
 fairs in the Hands of
 Seven Men.
WOULD RE YARD THE SOUTH

Whitestone, Lithia Springs, s. C., July 14.-Proposed railroad legislation by Con- gress and the steady advance in general conditions in the south were discussed in a speech lhade here tonight by Col. S. H. Hardwick, passenger traffice manager of the Southern railway. The occasion was the thirty-first annual meeting of the South Carolina Press association. Colonel HardwiclS opposed the enactment of the Esch-Townsend bill, urging that iuch leg islation would put the south back for many years.
 Reviewing conditions in the south he said:
 'The south has long been politically de- pendent, and in spite of all such adverse conditions, she has developed most mag nifcently She has already secured the permanent attention of all parts of our own great country, and rapidly are these good people coming to be sons Of the south. They well knew that in addition to all material advantage for all kinds or development, there resides in the south that spirit of true and correct interpreta- tion of the constitution of the United States, and that free from anarchy or plutocracy and all such evils, the south shall be looked to for the preservation and the maintenance of the supremacy of that constitution"
 Especially Harmful to South.
 Speaking of the Esch-Townsend bill, he said the proposed legislation was con- sidered most harmful to the whole coun- try and especially to the south. On this point Mr. Hardwick said in part:
 "This rate-malxing power by a bureau of the government would arrect our whole blessed land. But 1 consider as business proposition 1t must affect the south at this time more than any other sectloh because it possesses such limitless uhue- yeloped resources of such varied and such needful kind that no other secuon can much longer have the advantage II the south is given a fair showing and req sonable onportunity Now at this critical iuncture, if left free she will soon equal. aye, even surpass, all other sec- tions in her triumphant development.
 ''Then let us do nothing to hamper or hinder that progress of the south. Let us not be disturbed by the envy Of other sections but let us emulate the progress of other sections of our great country. Let our WaICnWOTu tNtl bC Nit-e south hath need of her sons. Not In narrowness nor in selfshness but in spirit of the broadest patriotism let us remember that here is our home and this is our immediate responsibiilty' lnueeu, our glorious heritage. Our responsibility Is to advance the progress of the souih and not to permit such national legisia- ton or any other legislation to cast us back ten, twenty, forty years, and all nf be done over again with increasing burden and dimin- ish'ng encouragement
 Dependent Upon Railways.
 "Tblnk of the tremendous array of laboring people who are dependent nl. railroads directly and collaterally TOT livelihood. numbering In this country from ten to fifteen millions, all spending their earnings with the tradesmen, storekeep- ere. with the professional men. the press, etc, and think what they contribute 10 religious and charitable work, ana shali their needs have no hearing nor influences Shall they be beset by calamitous copoi, tions or having their forces reduced anu the wages of the remaining ones cut dawno IIas the Townsend bill r,eht to disregard all these conditions and consequences?
 "po:i,o pads must keep their expenses within their incomes so they must cur tail or mayhap finally cease their opera ticns. But 1t is through no selnsh mo- tive that I appeal to you and all our brethren of the south, but repeat come 10 ask you to do nothing to enthral the south or any other section III tnis present nroeress of her development but let her ba forever unshackled, free to obtain the best terms for self; free to deal with her own railroads. to be able to go to her own railroads; free to advance the progress of her development.
 "I,et us reason together about our com mon needs You surely must nave free- dom to come to your own railroao men about your own transportation , allairs; Do not hermit such laws to be enacted as will deliver you and us to any other control" ., c M. L. Smith. speaker of the South Car olina house of representatives. also made an address.