The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-26
TOMLINSON IS IN
 RAGE TO FINISH
RELIEVES ADMINISTRATION WILL TRY TO ELECT A MAN WHO IS RATE REFORM.

Col. John w. Tomlinson stated last night that he was in the race to a finish for United States senator to succeed Sen ator Morgan. He stated that he had a number of strong letters from members of both branches of the legislature, pledg- ing their votes and support.
 These men were elected on the plat form along with Governor Conner in favor of railroad regulation" said Colonel Tom linson, :" and are not disposed to quit the fight at this juncture on this im- portant matter which is necessarily ln- volved in the election of United States senator, where the great contest of the future on this subject is likely to be. know that the majority of the members of the legislature do not consider them selves bound either verbally, in writing or by moral or political obligation to support any one man, but are open to consider that candidate who in their opinion will further the principles and policies in which they and the people or Alabama believe. I naturally assume that those who fought during the ses- sion of the legislature for remedial laws that were passed will vote for a United States senator who will vote for simi- lar remedial laws in the United States Senate.
 Tn my announcement, 1 advanced arg uments for our side of the case, with out abuse or reflection on any one differ ing with me, but some of those opposed to me, instead of undertaking to ans wer my arguments, have resorted to abuse and filings My race for governor in, hoe f-Afa fn 10 fact that l was defeated in Jefferson, which, of course, took me out of the race, by the distinguished Confederate soldier, Charles M. Shelley though received sixty-five hundred votes, was no reflection on me. The same convention that nominated the successful candidate, Governor Sanford, selected me as the member from Alabama to the National Convention, and a delegation selected at the same time, among whom was Sena- tor Morgan delegate from the state at large, selected me as the representative from this state on the resolutions com mittee Senator Morgan, who did not at- tend in person, wrote me letter, giving me his support, and his proxy voted for me Senators Morgan and Pettus have been my friends ever since I came to Alabama as a young man to cast my fortune with Alabamians. How could l, after the favors they had done me, run for one or the other of the places to be made vacant by their death? And be- cause I did not, must I be precluded at this time from making the race before the legislature, when the state convention of my party has declared that 1 am not so precluded and that the members of the legislature are not precluded from considering my candidacy. Furthermore referring to my race for governor Hon. William M. Coleman, at present mem Der of the legislature from Marshall county, and Hon. James Armstrong, at present member of the legislature from Jackson county, who advocated my cause in their respective counties, can testify to the splendid vote l received in their counties, though coming into them almost a total stranger.
 'I further notice that 1t Is given out that Governor Comer's statement in re- gard to the senatorship was misunder- stood but my opponent declared it was a declaration of war. l think l state the governors position when I say that I believe that he will not take sides among his friends in the contest, but does and will continue to advocate the election of United States senator known to be in accord with the people of this state on that important question. and will oppose the election of any man who is not in accord knowing that the ques- tion of federal regulation is of equal importance with state regulation, especial ly in view of the fact that the purpose of the administration at Washington IS 10 practically obliterate state authority on this important subject as on others.