Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-10-18
Replies 10 Gen. Had|ey.
Shows That Republican Member OF
Board Is Responsible for Fall
ure TO Reduce Railroad
Rates.
PRESENTS The RECORDS OF CAN
DIDATE FiENTGE and The
PRESENT REPUBLICAN MEM
Der OF THE BOARD.

TROY, MO, Oct. 1G.-Railroad n
Warehouse Commissioner John A.
Knott addressed the voters OF this
CITY tonight at the Opera House, TAX
ing as his theme Estate Regulation
of Railroads." He spoke, in part, as
follows:
MR.. KNOTT'S ADDRESS.
You have heard that the Democratic
party is all split up the back, divided
into hostile, warning factions and that
inevitable defeat awaits the Demo
cratic ticket in this state next month.
IL you have not heard this, then
you have not read the Globe-Democrat.
It's editorial page teens with that
sort of stuff day after day.
Governor Folk and Senator Stone
nave been designated by the st. Louis
Republican organ as the leaders OF
these alleged warning factions, and
yet they sat side by side at the great
Bryan meeting in Kansas City, spoke
from the same platform and each
declared that the only rivalry be-
tween them was which would be able
to do the most in putting Missouri
back into the Democratic column next
month-and back to stay.
Governor Folk, than whom no state
ever had a stronger or Drawer chief
executive, is travelling about this state
now, speaking day and night in the
interest of his party, rallying the for
ces of Democracy-doing everything
in his power to bring success to every
Democratic candidate, state, district,
county and township.
And Senator Stone, the peer Of any
man occupying a seat in the greatest
legislative body on earth, always a
friend Of the people and always dread
ed by the foes of Democracy, is rails
ing his voice throughout the common
wealth in defense of his party--the
party that has made Missouri great.
The scheme of the Globe-Democrat
to factionize the Democratic party
in Missouri has failed. 1t has worked
overtime to accomplish its end-but
the purpose was too apparent-even
to blind Democrats.
| come to you tonight, my friends
with tidings of great joy. l have
travelled over the state considerably
during the past few months and have
met and talked with Democrats from
almost every county, and l am of
the honest opinion that the party
never was, in its long history, in bet
ter fighting shape. You may think
me optimistic--but it is my judgment
that the Democratic, state nominees
will receive at least $4,000 more votes,
than the Republican state nominees.
Democrats are aroused and the
$4,000 who remained away from the
polls two years ago-are now the
most anxious to repair the damage
done. Don't you find that the case
in your county?
My friends | am not going into a
general discussion of either state or
national issues. | am here to deliver
a special message and l fear will
tire your patience with that. But I
ask you to hear me-both Republi-
cans and Democrats-for it is a mat
ter that vitality concerns you.
There is no question of greater i'm
portance to the people of this state
than the regulation of railroads.
This has been attempted by the
United States government in the
matter of interstate traffic. | do
not believe that the bill pass
ed by the last congress will give
the relief its friends claim for it
nothing short of giving the commits
Cinn nnuap IN paaIyn ,afne o~I npfovon
them until reversed by the courts will
eve approach a solution of the pro-
blem in my opinion.
Sen. Dickinson introduced a bill
in the last Missouri legislature seek
ing to strengthen the State Commits
sion by Incorporating a provision of
that kind, but it was introduced late
in the session and was not reached.
Under the present statutes the com
mission Is compelled to go into court
to enforce it's orders If resisted by
the railroads. This should be rever-
sed-the railroads should be compel
led to obey the orders of the commits
sion until the courts declare them un-
just. 1t is no greater hardship on the
railroads to submit, than it is for the
people to await the slow process of
the courts for relief.
Take for instance the stock pass
law. The commission passed on that
matter a year Or more ago. The
Supreme Court has not yet reached 1t
and in the meantime, the people are
paying the bills. / believe that the
law and the decision of the commits
sion will be sustained, but the rail-
roads are collecting the tolls and will
continue to do SO until the decision
is handed down.
Under the present statutes the rail
roads can wear the people out in the
courts.
Let the burden Of proving the or
ders Of the commission unreasonable
~ placed on the railroads instead