The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-10

the railroads coming into Mobiig the rate of freight from the mines to Mo- bile on coal was $35o per ton From time to time I made efforts to have the rate reduced. and succeeded, al-i ways through the co-operation Of MT. M. H. Smith, and aIways against the wishes of the other roads entering this city. N. N-
 I remember when the rate got down to s2.50 per ton after long discussion with Colonel Rives, then President of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad Com pany. Colonel Rives thought 1t im- possible to lower the rate, stating 1t would bankrupt any railroad that would attempt to bring coal to Mobile for one cent per ton a mile. Nexerthe- lesss not long after that the man from Kentucky put in rate of SITS to Mo- bile.
 It was discovered that certain rail-
 road here was giving rebates to some favored shippers. l talked to the late
 President Clarke. of the Mobile and Onto. about thss Git was not MT. Ciarke's road that was giving this re-
 bate.) MT. Clarke was opposed to it, and I suggested to him that the only way to prevent it was to make one rate and to make 1t go low that no road would want to cut under 1t. In, my presence Mir. Clarke called up his stem
 
 roads, proposing uniform rate of $1.60 on all kinds of coal coming to Mobile. One of the roads would not consent to this. and the matter fell through.
 I got up the evidence in connection with the matter named abovesand went l to Louisville. sawtthe "man from Ken- tucky." convinced him of what waa go- ing on and asked for a rate of s1 per ton on all the coa1 brought by his A A.
 ceiying coal by another road, were get ting on the coal they received here, although it was understood that the regular rate was SITS per ton.
 MT. Smith at once agreed to make the rate S1.I0. He consulted with the other roads, having an agreement with them. They declined to go into it, He then gave them the thirty days notice required in their agreement. and put the rate into effect. It has so stood, $l.lO. to this day, notwithstanding that the price of coal at the Alabama mines has greatly increased, and we owe this lower rate to "the man from Kentucky.
 At the same time that Mr. smith made thfs rate for Mobile he gave the same rate to Pensacola, and 1t will sur prise some people in Mobile. who have been under a different impression, to hear that on coal, at least, Pensacola has never had any lower rate or any adyantage over Mobile. although the Louisville and Nashville endeavored to build up, for the benefit of the Alabama mines and their railroad an export business from Pensacola and lost thousands of dollars In the attempt.
 This statement I know to be correct. D and it stands to reason that as MT. Smith has acted so justly toward Mo bile in the handling of coal. he has pursued the same policy In the handling of ether commodities -
 Indeed. could mention other in- stances showing him to be just man. a man of the greatest fairness ana tne highest type ofAhonor and integrity, He needs no defense at my hands He does
 not ask it. hut I know him. and ths
 people -of Mobile know me: so. why should not lay this tribute at the
 foot of this man while he is living, q
 tribute that would gladly pay to him
 after his death. It is the fashion 10
 speak of the good traits of the dead :: Perhaps 1t would be better if we would give to our struggling friends as they go through the difficulties ana Vlcissi, tudes of this life kind word before they die. It may be of some help and 1 encouragement to them
 | wish our Governor. whom am sure menas to do right. would in his dealings with this man from Ken | tuclOy," try to remember the beautitul rule taught and enioined by our Sa-
 viour. which we call the Golden z 1t is understood that the special ses'
 sion of the Legislature which Is now l about to meet, has been called with the view of making this 'fnan from Ken r lucky" do as our Governor desires hin to do, the only offense being that this | man has asked the courts to protect the l A e. aRh hn l g | charge, from eonfiscatory legislation Surely, under our form of govern
 rent the poorest man Ia entitled to the | protection of the courts, and no man | will obey the laws after they are de- 1 etded to be- right, with more earnest | ness than will MT. NJ. H. Smith.
 As understand 1t, the constitution If our State provides that we shall 1 have one session (fifty working days) | of the Legislature every four>>years. | We have had this year two sessions, | and recall when the last session ad- Iourned that there was a feeling of great relief on the part of the citizens | of Mobile whom I heard speak of the matter, that the session was over and
 they felt they would have rest for four years.
 Now we are called on to undergo another session of the Legislature 1 Wh1cn EetmS dh AhA1SSoSohg osi the people of the State. The members 1 of the Legislature working so labo- i riously and the many laws they have enacted. 1t seems 1t wuid be well to 1 try these laws before meeting to add l to them.
 There are troubles enough upon the manufacturing. commercial and plant 1 ing interests of Alabama now without ! adding to them by further disturbing laws. Let us try those already enacted | first.
 At the end of the war between the
 States I remember how glad we were l when General Grant said, '''Let us have neuce," and insisted on it, prevepting