The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-31
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EXECUTIVE LNTERFEHHNcE-
 The remarkable agreaenent executed between Governor Conner and Presi- dent W ". Finley of the Southern an agreement which rscAsts the com pieted work of the Legislature and forecasts the work it is to do. is public document worthy of continued study. When the record is written the thoughtful friends of Governor Conner will feel no pride In that document. which has no fellow in all Alabama's history.
 The Governors -trespasses upon the peculiar domain of the Legislative De- |partmept have been so numerous that his influence with the Legislature is Econsidered throughout the State as nothing short of dominance. He has not been content merely to direct the Legislature in the execution of his will. but without reference to the Leg islature he has. in his Southern Rail- way agreement. discharged the duties plainly within the provisions of the Legislative Department of government. { The third and last department of government. but one equal at least in every respect to the other two. is that of the judicial. embracing the courts and the administration of the laws. Is it safe from invasion in Governor Co., mer's blind warfare on railroads? Ger tainly not.
 The Southern agreement contains this paragraph:
 It is further agreed and understood
 that in making this settlement and the cording to the terms of the verbal agreement. between the parties hereto made contemporaneoEsly with this fn-
 strnment, there is 10 bs no liability up, Is growing or arising out of the bonds
 sasd companies were required @ give
 on securing the injunction heretofore
 is further understood and agreed that the companies herein named shall un- der no circumstances, incur any 1iabil- ity on their bonds heretofore given. or Incur liability for any damage on ac- count of their failure to put into effect the disputed rates covering the time from the Issuance of said injunction up when said companies by an agreement with tEe State of Alabama put into ef- feet the disputed rates Involved in the
 pending iitigations1
 Now the Governor of Alabama had no more to do wftk tho requiring or the giving of that bond than Me man in the moon. The presiding Judge of Ia Federal Court required that bond. He required it to protect the interests of the shipper who was vitaIly con cernsd in the litigation.
 The railroads through their attor-. neys said that the legislative rates were 80 low that they were connsca- tory. The State claimed. through it's attorneys, that the rates were just and equitable. The court granted the sus- pension of the rate laws until evidence could be brought out to show the trne nature of the rates To assure tue snipper that he could collect his loss, while the laws were suspended--to as- sure hin that he might receive the benefits which were rightly his. if the laws were fair and just the court wisc- Iy demanded an indemnity bond. It was none of the Governors affair.
 Tie bonds of the different railroad companies were furnished by the lead- ing bonding companies of the coun- try. The premiums on these bonds cost no little amount. Against the bond of the Southern. which the Gov ernor would dismiss with the scratch of his pen, 1t is understood that a num- ber of claims have been filed.
 But what eoes that matter to head strong Governor? He would dismiss all pending claims and forbid the
 bringing of pew claims He would acting for the court. cancel the bonds and acting for the shippers prevent the d1ing of any claims
 In this. executive interference has about reached its limit. That section of the Constitution which declares that ours shall be "a government nf laws ana not of men, evidently has TO friend and supporter in the Governor Si Alabama.