The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-28
sponsIbIIitIes and its DO wer.

responsibilities and its power
 The people have right to examine tha personal and political character of cans didates for this great office.
 II elected governor l shall take cara that the laws be faithfully executed. The constitution provides that the goyernor may first recommend, second approve and third veto legislation.
 T am one of those who believe that the governor should be content to ba governor, and not governor, legislature and the Judiciary all in one. If elected governor l shall recommend to the leg islature such legislation I think 1t oueht to pass. On the question of railway freight rates, there are four self evident facts.
 T. The people can. though imperfectly, get along without the railroads
 "2. The railroads cannot get along with- out the people.
 "3. In order to maintain our agricul- tura1, manufacturing and commercial in-. terests, railways under existing condi- tions are absolutely necessary.
 A. If railways should cease their oper- alton it would result in great embarrass- ment throughout the state.
 Now there Is an idea that railways are private property and are amendable idea Is dangerous and false There is an idea that railroads should be operated exclusively for the public. That is in- accurate.
 Railways are entitled to just, fair and equitable treatment from the public just as the public is entitled to fair just and equitable rates fro mthem.
 "The legislature has power only to deal with freight rates within the state. Con- gross has, however, to deal with rates between the states. Railways are en- titled to just, fair and equitable re- turn upon their investment.
 Three Facts Established.
 Three things have been established in the state and the man who has done most in establishing them is B. B, Conner, president of the state railroad commission. These three things are:
 Rates are higher in Alabama than in other southern states.
 Conditions for rate making are mora favorable for low rate in Alabama than in Georgia.
 ''If the legislature directly, or the rail4 road commission upon the direction of the legislature, reduces the rates to those in Georgia, the courts will sustain the reduc- tion. I agree with MT. Conner that tha rates are higher in Alabama than in other southern states and that they work an injustice to the shippers and the peo- pie of the state. That Is my diagnosis of the case, and am able to make that diagnosis in large measure because of ths service rendered by B. B. Comer.'' t4e 1 Dr. Cunningham here said that his rem> edy was the adoption of the bill known as the Georgia and North Carolina lava on the subject. Continuing, he said:
 'I believe the railroad commission la legislative body, that it has power to fix rate have never believed in an advisory commission for 1t is farce.
 If you think I have come along and jumped into anybody's band wagon don't vote for me. If you think am hypocrita don't vote for me-.
 Dr. Cunningham then recited his record on railway rate reform and alluded to his environments. He said that he supported the railway commission election bill in 1882. and that he had never been on record as having voted for a railroad advisory commission. In 1896 he voted for a bill giving the commission plenary power and on the last day of the session voted against bill to provide for overchargess
 Later when he was president of tho Senate his vote decided tie and created the electoral commission. He said he wished to do SO he could then and there have voted the other way and avoided the fight with which he Is confronted this year. But he stuck to his colors. After making earnest pleas in behalf of edu- cation, pensions for Confederate soldiers and immigration and explaining the con- Vict system, Dr. CunninBnam cohciuoeo thus:
 If elected. I'm going to appoint my friends in case of vacancies. I shall con- slider recommendations made by all oiti. gems and appoint only men of character and efficiency.
 Stands on Ills Record.
 T believe in the principle of the Demo- cratic primary. MT. Conner Is an honest man, good man, a sincere man. He is my friend, and am his friend. can prove my character by him, and he can prove his character by me. I'm running for governor on my character. capacity and record as attested by my public and private life.
 Pm not going to use any money in this campaign. I haven't got any to use, and shan't accept any from others. Mir. Conner talks about environments. Its big word. MT. Conner is an employer of men and women. l am their employe. He deals with men in the counting room. and in buying and selling. I deal with them at the fireside, visiting them in their af- flictions. My ancestors were plain people. The short and simple annals of the poor was their history. My, father was . tailor, my mother a seamstress. I was born and reared close to the people.
 have lived among them and for them. In 1896 I was physician for the Tennessee company. 1 was for free silver. All my environments were for the gold stand ard. voted for the bill forbidding the leasing of convicts. In doing so I lost my position with the Tennessee company at a salary of sSo0 month.
 'If my record on environments does not entitle me to the confidence and trust of the people would like some one to tell mo what would entitle mo to that trust