The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-08-25
{ OATES CLOSES
 HIS CAMPAIGN Former Governor Speaks at Court House. AUDIENCE IS ENTHUSIASTIC Candidate tor Alternate Senator
 Submits Claims. us Tells voters Course he Would Pur' sue In United states senate
 Favors Indemnity fer
 Cotton Claims.

 you to vote for me on Monday on inc other hand if you do believe that | am competent if you believe in my inteerity. and if you believe that the services I have rendered to my state are worthy of any reward, I hope that everyone here will make his cross mark opposite my name. l shall ap- prsciate it. :"
 With these words ex-Governor Will Ham c Oates. candidate for the Sena- torial succession, last night closed his campaign at the Court House in Mont g5mery.
 aWhy do I want the officer he had asked earlier in his address, l want tt because I believe I can be of ser vice to the people of this State and can 10 them good. I have been hon orded perhaps, far beyond my deserts. but l have never been called upon by my State in vain, and I have never re- sponded to the call of my State that \ I have not always acted for the good Of the State''
 oates Among His Friends.
 An audience of more than seventy i've voters gathered in the court house to hear the former Governor make his closing speech of his campaign to the voters of his home county. Notwith. standing the warm evening, the crowd remained close listeners of the can-
 
 rupted him with applause. That he was among friends was attested by the hearty sympathy they expressed for him. and by their commendation of his words He spoke for more than an hour and a half, and during that time many additions were made to his hearers. but none left until after the conclusion of his appeal.
 Governor Oates was introduced to the assemblage by General John W. 4. Sanford. who referred to the speak CT and candidate as q man long known for his talents, for his patriotism, and fur the effort he has always made for the good of the people"
 There was burst of applause as the former chief executive of the State arose. His speech dealt largely with the unusual conditions connected with the race for alternate Senator, with the question of railroad rate legisla- tion, and with his reasons for wishing to receive the nomination from the people. and the grounds upon which he based his claim to that position
 The situation in Alabama at the present time. he said. wes unique Two Senators. honored by every Ala bamian4 represented the State In the Senate. Each was favored above oth- CTS by his fellow citizens, but either. because of his advanced age, might not live until the expiration of his coming term. In the event of va rancy. the Constitution provides for the appointment of successor by t4e Governor.
 "But, gentlemen he said. there is a sentiment in the country that the people should have a voice in the se- lection of their Senators People have seen States go practically without representation in the Senate for years. To bring about popular election an amendment to the Constitution of the country would be necessary, but lack ing this. we have approximated 1t by the present method eof nominating a successor for a vacancy This takes away from the powers of the Cover nor-to-be, but 1t places the selection in the hands of the people"
 Railroad Rate Regulation.
 One question, he said, is uppermost in the minds of the people of Alabama. is that of railroad rate legislation. The speaker followed the historical develop. nient of this question. The constitution was quoted. saying that Congress shall have the power to regulate com nerce with foreign nations. between the States and with the Indian tribes. He referred to the appointment of ar IT. rterstate Commerce Commission dur ing CleveIand's administrations two features of which especially commended themselves to him. One was that cour' cases must be tried in court of equity and the other that the Commission sbonld be non partisan. On the other hand. the Commission had always lack ed the power to enforce its decisions This defect had been in part remedief by the Hepburn bill during the las' Congress
 If had been in the Senate. de, cfared the speaker, emphaticaliy' ebo,fld hay edone everything in my nover to have the measure passed.
 There are two features or this pili m he said. which are new and good fhS measure gives the Commission power and if provides for the regulation oi railroad rates Rightly per cent oi fine railrad traffic is interstate ane under the jurisdiction of the Commis' aIon Since the Commission now has the right and the power to regulate he said. he did not believe the people nave much cause for worry.
 T am not opposed to railroads" ht declared, nor have I ever been rail road lawyer I want to see them get A fair compensation. but I never van fo see them master of a single indi' vidual."
 His Record in Congress.
 The ex-Governor referred to his re- cord when a member of Congress. The Government had been prodigal of it! lands, he said. It had made immense grants to trans-continental railroads