The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-02-14
HON. A. A. wILEYS SPEECH IN CONGRESS-

Editor The Advertiser:
 In the record of Sth inst, ! nave read a speech made by our immediate Bi'ents'Ss Bii Hs ccionsl Ds 1Ri Whey is ralrosS lawyer I was curious to see his views upon this subject and hence caretuliy read the entire speech through, 2 long one. All of the first part of 1t was made to show that the Republican par ty. under the lead of their astute Pres- ident Is veering around to the doe- important questions of the regulation of the transportation of interstate com- merce by the railroads, and the reviss ion of tarin duties in the interest LOT or pie. This part of the speech Is tn- tereAting, but rather too much abounds in learned quotations to be easily un- reproduction in The Advertiser; but ! do hope that you will publish the main body of the speech which l have marked as 1t will be interesting read read grsssional Distriet !t is the aolest s t entered Congress and 1t is thoroughly the Constitution and the policies of Jefferson. It is a correct and able ex- position of the soundest Democratic and constitutional principles and pol and especially of his District to read all of tho speech I have marked. The principles he has advocated need to De revivited among our people for they need be surprised, and every Democrat should be delighted, at the stand taken by President Roosevelt on these great economic questions. It shows that his patriotism is not pent up within parti- san lines but that he wishes whatever Is best for the country at large The been one of expedients rather than of fixed principles. Please publish the following, Mir. Editor. and your intel- ligent Democratic readers~will be de: not be ofrended. 1t Is a fine speech.
 The light of the glory of water transportation has wancd and almUst gone out. The iron horse has taken the place of the floating palace. There is not doubt that railroad carriage, chiefly because of its neetness. has al- most superseded water importation: and IS today the greatest medium of commercial intercourse. Whenever and wherever the tracks of a railroad foundation begun to be laid for social security. business sucuess. and mate rial prosperity. The irresistible logic of events, with the accuracy of syl- truth of this declaration.
 community: therefore. which secures enjoy the fullest measure of the sub stantiaI blessings of life--a condition of wellbeing, commercial consequence. piness: the tranquility and content ment whioh. peace and comfort bring;
 Of railroads, Mr. Justice caruthers
 "The policy of our decisions has been so far as consistent with the safety of life and property, to encourage and provement of the age. Every reason able precaution must be used to avoid Injury to others, at the peril of strict and ample accommodating. They enjoy almost monopoly in the business of common carriers. wherever they exist. both as to persons and property. A necessity to patroniZei them is imposed upon all, by the circumstances of the time: ali other modes of travel and transportation having been superseded by this, on account of Its greater ease and astonishing speed While, on on1 with strong arm against unjust de- mands and injuries to their property rights, which popular prejudice may rlty Of life and property requires that they should be held to a strict and sknl. skillful psrformance of all the duties
 But all right-thinking men, I take 1t, will agree that the duty and oblI- gation above outlined. like all other human duties. have correlative rights
 
 A railroad has a dual existence. It Is both private and public corpora- tion. It enjoys some of the attributes of sovereignty. It possesses the right of eminent domain. Upon the payment of just compensation to the owner 1t can take any. mans property for its own uses and purposes. without his consent and against his protest The law, therefore, wisely imposes, and ought to impose, upon common carriers of passengers and freigh6s for "hira nd VII f aNa afS.tas powerful for mischief as well as good "a large measure of responsibility in the performance of the impoF ant du. ties they have contracted to discharge corporate franchises: ands q do not hess itate to declare that rebates, in all their protean shapes and fcrms, wh 1t. ever the guise they wear. must cease, On this subject the public have a fixed opinion. The people will no