The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-08-12


 frages to a man who has fought val fantly for that cause all his life.
 Cogent, as this consideration is, however, 1t 1t but one of many req sons why the voters of Jefferson coun- ty should rally to his support We shall enumerate some of them, but be- fore doing so we desire to say that we do not intend to waste time in mo- ticing any of the personal attacks which have been made, openly and by innuendo. upon Dr. cupnningham.
 Spontaneous Tribute to Character.
 A man who has risen to the high office of Grand Master of the Masonic order in Alabama must show manhood and clean bill of moral health; and man who has been in poli- fics for years and can command the support of the ministers of the Chris tan religion, who are so exceedingly careful of the ethical proprieties-and such support Is being given to Dr. Cunningham, gratuitously and enthu- siastical1y in every county in the State-must have enduring principles. So we 'pass the character" of Dr. Gun ningham, as our good old Methodist brethren would say.
 Stands for More Than One Issue.
 Dr. Cunningham should receive the votes of the Democrats of the most progressive county in Alabama, be- cause he stands for all issues which affect the development, prosperity and moral and educational advancement of the State. His position as to each and every one of these questions is not matter of speculation or hearsay It is stated unequivocaIly in his address to the people of Alabama, which was issued year and half ago. and which was spread broadcast in printed form. He has thus furnished the peo- pie with chart whereupon they may prick his every act as Governor here after and hold him to strict accounta- biiity. Would trimming" politician or q demagogue commit himself thus unreservediy to the people? Not on his lifes
 An Emphatic, PurposefuI Declaration
 Now let us turn to those printed and irrevocable pages and see how Dr. Cunningham stands as to the regula- ton Of railroads:
 T am," he declares, heartily in fa- vor of the regulation by law ct rail- road rates in the State of Alabama. and if Governor would so recommend to the Legislature. -. :. There fore, I would. if Governor, approve bill establishing the Georgia classifi- cation of railroads and Georgia rates for the transportation of property"
 Could language be more clear-cut and explicit? Contrast this dignined, purposefu1 expression with some of the incorporate utterances which have been heard of late.
 Backed by His Record.
 Behind these words of Dr.. Cun- nfngham is record which shows he has been a consistent advocate of the regulation of railroads by the State since 1880. the year of his entrance into public life; and this record is pre- served in the record of the journal of the House and Senate, where 1t may be read by all men,
 Although. Dr. Cunningham had rec- ognized at this early period in his public career that the regulation of the railways is vital and essential he also foresaw that 1t was but one of the many reforms imperative in Ala bama
 As q Humanitarian.
 As physician of the penitentiary at Pratt Mines, he began in 1881 to victs, and finally succeeded in remod- cling the old system of sanitation and treatment of the sick. A truly Humanitarian work.
 First to Suggest it.
 And when he was sent to the State Senate he introduced a bill contain ing all of the working principles of State convicts by the State which has yielded such enormous revenue. The bill passed the Senate, but was de- feated in the House, and thereby the State lost at least a million dollars and if the bill had become law the convict lease system would have been practically abolished so far as State convicts were concerned, at that time.
 Subsequently Dr. Cunningham saw this cherished plan of his put into enect, but he desires to carry it out more fully and says in his address:
 In the Interest of the People.
 T think, however, that the prob- 1 lem will not be fully solved until the l State Is wholly independent of private | interests. While Acting Governor | endeavored to lease coal lands from | the University and Girls Industrial | School for the purpose of opening | and operating coal mines on State | account. had not succeeded when I | retired from the ofice If elected Gov ernor I shall endeavor to wholly sep | arate the State from private interests | in the operation of the convict sys- tenn"
 What an answer to the silly and | malicious charge that Dr. Cunningham | is the servant of corporationsl
 Equally emphatic and courageous is | his declaration as to the education of | the children of the people.
 Treasury Surplus for Education,
 Should a surplus exist in the State | Treasury" he says in that address. | and am informed that 1t does, | am in favor of appropriating 1t to the | common schools of the State"
 Where else would you have that sur | plus go? you men who want to see | your sons and daughters given that | equipment for life which has been de- | nied you.
 A man with such a warm heart | could not fall to take account of the | necessities of the old soldiers of the | State, and yet he is careful to promise | nothing which cannot be fully per | formed Note his words:
 Will Protect the old Soldiers,
 Among these heroes of the South | are many who are unable to wholly | support themselves. These should be | provided for by the State to the very | best of its ability. The law provides | a tax of ten cents on the $100 for the | old soldiers This will raise under our | present assessment about $325, ,000 II am in favor of appropriating for the | next four years at least the present | which is in addition to | the special fund for the beneft of the | old soldiers"
 demagogue, seeking to capture the old soldier vote, would have prom | ised anything. Dr. Cunningham as- sures the veterans that he will not al- low them to be defraudod of their own. |
 Other same and sound Views.
 Equally sane and well balanced are | his declarations as to immigration and | the regulation of the liquor traffic
 'We should bring into the State"