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

LIEUT.. GOV. R. M.
 Who Yesterday Announced His Cal 
 my patriotism, honesty, fidelity and abil- ty. If there are no others before the people possessing these in a higher de- gree, I have | right to their support; otherwise l ain not entitled to it.
 l will not proceed to the discussion of some of the important questions involved
 in the approaching nomination for the office of governor.
 Supremacy of the Law.
 In our present advanced civilization there can be but one authority and but one method to settle the differences among men, and to maintain the peace and dignity of the state' and to pro- tect individuals, families. communities and society from criminal aggression, and to punish those who commit offenses against person, property character, rights, society, etc., and that authority and method is the law of the land. Upon thls great question there should be uni yersal agreement, and the one covenant of all the people should be to maintain the dignity, majesty and supremacy or the law. My record upon this matter is too recent and well known to require much discussion. While governor l did everything that could be done under the laws of the state to maintain and enforce the laws thereof.
 The policy of executive clemency is in- timately associated with the enforcement of law The power of executive clemency is really appalling and is the one great power of the office of governor. If there Is anything in the world that will send a man who has this power to his knees that he may pour out his heart to AL might God In prayer and suppiication for help and light 1t is this power when confronted with it's exercise or the death i of human being. There should be but one motive and that is the discharge of duty. Duty to the state, society, the law, the lawful tribunals, to the dead, the living and-by no means least-to the unfortunate applicant for executive cfe- mency.
 While acting governor pardoned twenty-two; paroled thirty-one; commut- ted and remtted seventeen sentences and forfeitures and restored seventeen to civil rights. The rules that governed me in the exercise of elemeney were as fol- lows:
 1. New evidence properly submitted, that established grave and serious doubt of guilt.
 ?. Extenuating circumstances which in the opinion of the judge or solicitor, or both, Justified a lighter punishment than that prescribed by law.
 5. When the applicant was convicted of misdemeanor and had some organic disease which prison confinement would probably augment to a dangerous degree, and when he could not be transferred to safe and sanitary prison, CFhis applies especially to persons sentenced to con fnement in jail or to hard labor for the county.)
 4 Long and continued faithful service with good eonducI and having discharged the greater part of a long sentence. | 5. Condition of applicants health. his family and petitions.
 Regulation of Rates. | A question which involves the rights of property assessed for taxes in this state at S54 000000, and the equitable rights of nearly 100000 of people cannot be an insignificant and unimportant subject. This matter cannot be, ought not to be. and must not be ignored, suppressed, lodged or delayed. On the contrary 1t must be met and solved rightly to the end that justice and equity may be es- tablished and maintained between the common carriers and the people or Ala bama The law, the method and the means must be adequate, certain and efficient. It Is with the people whether or not these things come to pass. l Opinions on this question may be clas- sined as follows:
 l l. That railroads are wholely private property and amenable to the law only as other private property. | 2. That railroads are to be operated and controlled by law exclusively for the public benefit.
 3. That railroads are private property entitled to a just and fair return upon capital invested in them and in which the people have lawful, just and equit- able interest and are entitled to just, fair and equitable rates for transportation of persons and property.
 If railroads are wholly private property amenable to the law only as other prop erty, they can refuse to transport per- son or property or may charge such rates as to prohibit transportation. Therefore they could destroy the industry and com merce of any section, community, indus try, corporation firm or individual Such theory is undoubtedly selfish and dangerous.
 If railroads are wholly for the public benefit private capital spent in their con struction would be denied a just and fair return, Such an opinion is also selfish and dangerous.
 If railroads are private property in which the public have an equity there is A mutual relation of reciprocal justice, equity and fair play This theory is right and it is also the law of the land. It is right because the physical necessi- ties of a railroad require the interven- ton of the sovereignty of the state In the condemnation of private property for rigth of way and also because a rail- road is essentially a monopoly in the transportation f"r certain com munities, areas ing is better establish econo- mics than tn )rds greater return nditure of capital and ompeti- ton exists.
 | The law, as asfs.es4 as fol- | lows:
 | 1. There is H onstitu- tional authoi a 1n of railroad rate
 1 2 For the ate com merce the gress of the United 3ts