The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-27
aThe State, u |. I.n

Mobile Register.
 An agreement between the state M 0i Alabama and the railroads, which will relieve the strained relations existing for the past year and restore general business to- normal conditions, IS most desirable consummation. From the beginning of the agitation, which culminated in legislation that upset financial and industrial conditions throughout Alabama. The Register advocated recognition of the import ant position in the development Of the State occupied by railroads, an impar- tial hearing of the railroad side or the questions involved and sucn legisiatlVe action as would not impair or depre- ciate railroad property. At nrst Slgnt the agreement entered into between Governor Conner and the principal ofn- Southern and Mobile and Ohio railways would appear a satisfactory step in the direction of restoring amicable rela- tions between the railroads and the State and returning the State to nor mal business conditions, but the entire proceeding contains such an element of one-hand authority, the one man being the Governor of Alabama-that the members of the Legislature, the judi ciary and the Railroad Commission must view it with anything but satis- faction.
 passenger rate of 2 12 cents mile for all railroads. Governor Conner has entered into a signed agreement with the Southern, Alabama Great Southern and Mobile and Ohio permitting those Governor had no more right to dc this than he would have to change section of the Constitution. Other Governors have dominated legislatures and inn pressed their personal opinions on CO., ordinate branches of the government, but they have been careful not to over step the line that is rfgidly drawn be- tween the executive, legislative and E,,a iol rf (rnVaFnOr Conner has not only gone over the line, but has usnrped the functions of both branches outside the executive. In making the agreement with the rail- roads he went further than overriding the passenger rate, the agreement also containing a clause as to freight rates, directing the "110 Commodity Rate Act" passed by the last Legislature, and permitting the Southern to put In force the Georgia rates, and promising that the Legislature at the forthcoming special session will not enact legisla- ton adversely affecting the interests of | the railroads named.
 The action is astounding. but there | is more evidence that Governor Conner must have completely lost his head | The Railroad Commission is part of the judicial branch of the government The Governor guarantees that the Com | mission shall decrease freight rates under certain conditions, and further, that the Governor and the Railroad r Commission will do all things neces.
  the companies named in respect to
 rates and matters covered by this agreement"
 In making the agreement Governor Conner has usurped all the powers oi government. In violation of Article of the Constitution he has usurped all the legislation enacted this year and his agreement with the three railroads
 has no more legal standing than il
 would have if made by Bill Smith or
 John Jones.
 legislation enacted this year and his
 evident control of the Legislature
 caused some of the members who did
 not resign their right to think for
 themselves to resent his domination Their protests were drowned in the anti railroad wave, which rode rough shod over reason. The will of the
 Governor made or unmade laws. The Conner majority in the Legislature danced whenever the Governor pulled the string "One right yielded mp pro duces the usurpation of d second" and from dictator it was a short step to taking over legislative functions. Can the Governor do this with impunity?
 We do not think so. The people of the State may be led into political er-