The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-27
COMER SPEAKS ID
 CROWD AT BREWTON
Candidate Somewhat HoarSe from Multiplicity of Speeches
OPPOSES C00LIE LABOR
Attacks Railroad Lawyers and Urges People to Sweep Them Out of Their Polltlcs-Wants Sym
 pathetic Agitation.

Brewton March 26.-(speeial)-Cand date B. B. Conner addressed an audience of about one hundred and fifty people here today. including a number of. school boys This being the opening day of court, 1t was expected that MT. Conner would have a much larger crowd, but the people were backward in coming out The candidate was introduced by Editor II. C. Rankin of the Standard, and spoke about two hours. Applause was seant and while Mir. Conner made a very force ful speech, 1t Is hard to estimate the im- pression made upon his hearers The candidate was in fairly good voice, though he is somewhat hoarse from the multi plielty Of speeches which he has been making
 When the candidate arose he was greeted with applause and he opened by referring to his last campaign, during which he spoke to a very small audience here, notwithstanding which, he said he carried the county. The race before. he said was not a fight between John Y. Smith and B. B. Conner, but it was the people of Alabama against the railroads of Alabama as to who should control the state.
 The candidate declared himself as in fa- vor of education. and made a strong plea to the people to establish schools wher- ever there were children. He addressed himself to the school boys in the audi enee and urged them to come out and help lift the state of Alabama from the low place which she occupies as to educa- ton. His talk along this line was loudly applauded.
 Care for Old Soldiers.
 The old soldier he also favored and declared that while we place flowers on the graves of the dead and erect monu- ments to their memory, we should also care for the living as far as the economy of the state will admit.
 He also announced himself in favor of immigration, but opposed to eoolie labor. We would, he said, make conditions such that the outpouring of families from our state into other states would cease and build up our own class of labor and there by build up the state.
 The candidate then took up the freight rate issue, which is the foundation of his platform. He showed comparisons of rates
 
 articles of common product and use on which Alabama pays from 20 to 120 per cent more than Georgia on the same roads and same class roads.
 He advocated equitable car service rules saying that if freight is not paid by the consignee and the freight removed with in forty-eight hours they pay demurrage, but that the railroads take their own time to furnish cars for the removal of freight for tho skinner The rafirnndc ha To elared, will not turn aside from the fioata- ton of their watered stock 10 take care of their own business.
 Mr Conner also advocated the prompt payment of claims and declared that claims for loss of or damage to freight or stock should be settled within thirty and not exceeding sixty days.
 Attacks the Railroad Lawyers.
 He attacked the railroad lawyer in pol ities and urged the people to sweep him out of their politics and put in their own representatives. If the people are going to elect him governor and give him railroad environed legislature, he de- clared he did not want the office as he could do no good
 He referred to the discrepancy in the figures given in by the railroad for tax ation and the valuation given to the rail- road commission, the former amounting 10 about $3600o,Oeo and the latter s25o,- 000,000
 Referring 10 pr. Cunningham, MT. Conner said that the doctors platform was a good one, as good as any man could make, that he had gone even fur ther than he (Mr. Comer) had and de- manded a rate lower than the Georgia rate. but the Advertiser and the railroad crowd had lined up with him and would prevent him from carrying 1t out, while they knew that MT. Conner would carry 1t out
 As to his failure to fulfill his pledges