The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-07-09
CUNNINGHAM CLUB OF ENSLEY
 TO DEMOCRATS OF ALABAMA
Record the Lieutenant Governor Gven and What He Stands for in the Present Campaign Plainly Set ForhReguaon of Rairoad Rates and His Views on the Question
 The Convict System

grants. who will make good citizens,
 build homes, and who are capable Of assimilation with our people," for the regulation of the liquor business in accordance with the principles of local option; for the maintenance of the ment, wholly by the State in order to maintain humanity. revenue. and equity to free labor, looking to the
 final settlement of the problem by the entire separation of this system from all private interests; for the abolition of the county convict system in the interest of humanity. and of revenue and by providing return to the coun- ties of percentage of 30. 40 or-50 per cent. of the net earnings of all convicts from each county to go into the treas- ury of the county for the purpose of building good roads or such other pur- pose as the county may determine, or to the credit of the Fine and Forfeit ure Fund" of the counties. that wit uesses may get cash instead of scrip. He further stands for adequate pen sions for old soldiers, and fav6rs ap- propriating so much of the surplus in the treasury, In addition to the present appr ropriatioas provided by law, as may be necessary for that purpose; for the regulation of child labor by increasing the age limit and diminishing the num- Der of hours for work of children ena- ployed in mines and cotton mills and other manufactories In filling vacan- eies in executive and judicial depart- ments of government, and in county and precinct offices, his policy would be to insist upon good character, honesty and capability, and to be governed by endorsement; for the strict and careful examination of the books of public of- fees for the enforcement of the law | far fha anI1Aetfan nf and adequate assessment of property, and the strtetest economy in the adminis- tration of the various departments of government.
 For a more detailed account of his views on the question of the regulation of railroad rates. we quote from his letter announcing for Governor. as fol. lows:
 T ana heartily in favor of the reguia- tion by law of railroad rates in the State of Alabama, and if Governor, would 30 recommend to the Legisla- tuFe..
 He then declares for the enactment of law classifying the railroads ot the State, fixing maximum rates to be. charged for different kinds of prop erty ard for such legislation as may be necessary to give the commission all adequate power and means of fur- ther regulating rates. He further says:
 T am in favor of such Legislation. and all legislation as may be necesI sary that the sovereign State of Ala bama. may exercise its authority inl fixing just and equitable railroad rates and in maintaining and enforcing its mandates. am now, and have alwnysI been, opposed to & railroad commis- sion with advisory powers only. AnI old definition of law is: Power tol command that which is right and pro- hibit that which Is wrong" A law which ia merely advisory is an absurd ity and a farce"
 Tn speaking of tho conditions in l this State. he says:
 Prom the evidence at may dispo- sal 1t Is clear to me that three facts are established
 1st That rates in Alabama are higher than in many other Southern States
 and. That all the conditions which enter the problem of rate-making are more favorable to reduction of freight rates in Alabama, than are the conditions in the state of Georgia.
 Srd. That if the Legislature, or the railroad commission of Alabama re-. duee the rates in Alabama, to a rate as low. or even lower. than they are in the State of Georgia. the courts will sustain the reduction.
 Therefore. would if Governor. ap- prove bill establishing the Georgia of railroads and Geor- gia rates for tho transportation ofI property
 In consideration of the faithful public service of Dr. Cunningham. his loyalty to the Democratic party. and the fact that he Is Lieutenant Gover- nor of the State, we feel that he has special claim for the honor he seeks. We know him to be man kindly and generous in nature, considerate and and . man whose per sonal, professional, business. sacial and official honesty and integrity are unquestioned by those who know him. We eheerfuily commend him to the voters of Alabama as a man in everyl way worthy of the offiee of Governor.