The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-23

, lation of rates and urging them to act and gave 1t as my opinion that if they failed to do so it would be the duty of the governor to convene the legislature in special session. My reasons for writ Ing this letter were the following:
 l. The tribunal authorized by law to act and regulate the rates had failed at that time to investigate and to reduce rates, If, in their judgment, such action was Justified.
 2. The rates submitted by the president of the commission. in my judgment, showed great inequity of the rates in this state.
 3. The constitution provides specifically that the legislature has authority and power to fix and regulate rates. There fore, If the tribunal already provided for that purpose refused or failed then 1t would be the duty of the governor to convene the legislature that they might directly legislate upon the subject. 4. There Is some doubt as to the validi- ty of the act providing a railroad com mission in this state, and if that be true, then there ought to be an amendment to the constitution providing for a railroad commission.
 After studying the subject more fully I am persuaded that the circumstances then existing constituted an "extraordi- nary occasion," as provided by the con stitution. and after reading the opin- ions of the associate commissioners and of the president of the commission be- lieve that the extraordinary occasion" still exists. and If governor would com municate with the legislature and if constitutional majority agreed with me I would convene them in extra session for the purpose of legislating directly fixing nP foiI rates.
 It seems to me that I have a fairly consistent record covering a period of twenty-five years upon the question of the, regulation of railroad rates.
 Pension for Soldiers. All who love patriotism. admire valour. honor duty, respect devotion, appreciate loyalty to conviction and revere age must feel an interest in the old soldiers of the state. In all of these qualities the Confederate soldier is a shining and con spicuous example. The cause for which he fought was the right of self-govern- ment and the perpetuation of the insti- tutions of his state by the exercise of this right. He lost his cause but he wrote his name by his valour, loyalty and courage in letters of living light which shall endure forever. Returning home to his poverty-stricken state he set his face to the future, and has faithfully and effectually met every obligation and has overcome every obstacle. Among these heroes of the south are many who are unable to wholely support them selves. These should be provided for by the state to the very best of its ability. The constitution provides a tax of 10 cents on the s100 for the old soldiers. This will raise under our present assessment about s3S5.000. am in favor of approxi- mating for the next four years at least the present appropriation. which is an addition to the constitutional fund for the benefit of the old soldiers. Regarding Education. The merits of education require no dis cussion here. There are few people who do not concede its advantages and even necessity.
 The state funds for the common schools consist of the moneys raised by the three mill tax towit, 30 cents out of the 65 cents tax rate on the $100 of property the poll tax and the interest on the Six teenth section fund. These are perma- nent appropriations. In addition to this the counties may levy one mill tax. or 10 cents on the $100 worth of property, when voted by the people. Many of the counties of the state have already voted this tax and the probability is that with in year or two nearly all of the coun- ties will have voted the tax. The cities
 
 appropriations for the public schools. The only source for further appropria- tions to the schools Is out of any surplus that may be In the state treasury. Should such a surplus exist, and l am informed that 1t does, I am in favor of appropriating 1t to the common schools of the state. I am In favor. however. of an appropriation of not less than s50,- GOO to build an additional dormitory for the Girls Industrial School at Montevai- To- The students of this school are young ladies who are being taught an occupar ton to enable them to make living. It seems to me that the necessity and advantages of this school should appeal to all our people. I am in favor of every dollar paid into the state treasury from the fertilizer tax being appropriated wholely in the interest of agriculture In this state In addition to the agricul- tural schools now established for teach ing the science and art of agriculture farmers institutes and assemblies should be held in every county of the state at which lectures. demonstrations and H. lustrations could be employed for the instruction of the farmers of Alabama in the science and art of their business.
 My record on the subject of education has been wholely in its interest. I have uniformly supported all appropriations for the schools of the state and for the improvement and betterment of the pub lic~ school system. I have also done what could in discussing before the public questions of educational interest.
 The development, progress and destiny of any commonwealth depend upon two things, to-wit:
 | The physical, intellectual and moral character of it's people-their aspiration, ambition, skill and energy.
 g. The natural resources and environ ment of the commonwealth.
 In my judgment the policy oe Alabama should be to increase It's white population and to gradually diminish its colored population. To do this two things are necessary. to-wit:
 l. To keep our own white population in the state by making our state so at- tractive as to cause our boys and girls to remain in the state.
 2 To bring into the state desirable im- migrants who will make good citizens, build homes and who are capable of as- similation with our people.
 As to the character of these immi- grants. the formula of Grote should be kept in mind. to-wit: "The fellowship of blood. the fellowship of religion. the fel-
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