The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-10


 and all of these states have lower freight rate than in Alabama is ask ing for. If 1t Is the history of these states, and 1t is. that the railroads in their claim that lower rates would be error, why should so much credence be given to the same contention when 1t comes to making the test in Alabama Experirnental stages have passed. The discrimination against Alabama has been proven, and 1t 1t a great hardship for Alabama to be forced to go through court processes on a. case already pioneered and worked out and demon
 Alabama has more tonnage per rail road mile and pays a higher freight rate. and 1t does not cost more to
 Violation of Sabbath.
 In addition to this we allow them to use in the regular transaction of their business, the seventh day, the Sunday of every oyia'a aon people fso ssy sSya wnca day of rest both for men and machinery, and We have the Divine declaration that this is the best for alL take this day and use 1t as any other day, working their employees. our fel- low -countrymen. and their property to secure gain and increase business: two-thirds per cent to the operative value of their property, yet with this great allowance from our sufferance, with this great concession from our Georgia and North Carolina, a conces- sion scarcely allowed any other proper ty. still the rights and demands of the state when 1t comes to such an eauali,, shippers of the State be protected. that the freight on raw material pro- duced in the State should be so ar ranged as to give the business inter ne thn fa If to manufacture products of the State within the State, and also to enable the producers of the State to ship the pro ducts of the State to the consumers These divine rights are of the utmost economic sadvantage and are unnecessarily and absolute ly ignored, and the freight tax as made the business interests of the State by a combination to prevent comp etition amounts to virtual absolute control of the transportation of the State. and they, by their own admission. have cast around our laws and the legal pro- cesses of the State, environments forged for their interests, and practical tention to our reasonable demands; refuse our laws even a fair trial and fair execution. And when you come to consider the effect of these environ
  ing around your business interests. 1t would look as If they had confidence in your long-suffering the length of which would appear intolerable and impossible to Anglo-Saxons.
 Watered Securities.
 The railroads are now paying inter est on millions of watered securities, much of which has recently been added to their interest-bearing charges. The L. & N. Railroad Is paying interest on sixty million more stock than they were few years ago. The Southern and Central Railroads have awakened millions of dormant securities and are now paying interest on them. The Coast line has added many millions to their outstanding stock. All the rail have yivified ts feiess stuff ana hold them as in the hands of innocent purchasers and bound under the general generic of the cost of reproduction.
 Fourteenth Amendment.
 The fourteenth amendment, forged immediately after the war in partisan wrath; to enslave the Southern whites and make the negro dominant, now to SSsne ooilect p from % the in indSstries of the people a tax equal to what the traffic will stand; the last rendering and use of this amendment. more lasting, more dangerous and enslaving than the first
 Court Proceedings.
 The prospects are that the court pro- ceedtngs will consume years, and the vibrations in the air word the expecta- tions of the railroads that these great the just demands of the people and the just expectations of the State and which should be used to upbuild the State. will be tied up for years. Every thoroughly understood, merited and should hare had. As lait' dcwn by Jus tics. Brewer. through all equity. a fair trial
 Not cnly have the railroads enjoined this legislation. Nbut they have gone further and demanded through the .urts an injunction against the domi- nance of the State and the states coh- trol of any measure limiting their charges, in other words the railroads lave used all these years your laws which they admit are the most gener- ous to them of any state through which they run, ana by which they nave ac- quired great property build in the largest measure et the expense of the that they are not public service cor porations but independent property entirely out of your control and limita- ton. And that there conduct in your and they ignore your laws. This if continued and established will be de- structive of the highest principles of State dominance and will be very dan gerous to every property interest of the State.
 Expense of Litigation.
 have employed, as your bill allows attorneys of the highest character and ability who are associated with the Attorney-Generala and are now engaged in the case. The expense of this litlga- tion you will have to meet in the, most liberal way, and it Is your highest duty t. heve made most screening inv sI'Sa- tioE, going to the very root of the r business, their conduct and thet- methods; not in an inimical way but to secure information for your own self protection, not only is there in voIved in this suit the business of the State, but also your prestige and State danger and should join in with you to secure these just demands from the public service corporations.
 State Repositories.
 You have passed 8 state depository bill taking the large amount of money. more than two millions, which our State treasury had locked up and placed at work with our banks, taking securi- ty for same in our State bonds
 and have the people vote at the next election for an amendment to our Con stitution which would allow the State to let money out to the banks on the same security, but at interest There Is no reason why the State should not be benefited by this deposit. With the money thus gained, 1t would help you in the establishment of your schools or other institutions of the State.
 Biennial Sessions.
 would suggest that you provide to | have the people vote at the next eIec- | tion for an amendment to our Constt- tuition which will provide for biennial sessions of the Legislature Four years is long time between the people