The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-09-25
IS IT NOT TIME TO HAITI

Hasn't the war on prosperity in Ala bama been carried far enough7
 It has been a stormy year. The raii- roads have not been the only sufferers from the turmoil and the strife. Every business interest in Alabama has felt the breath of the storm. And now an extra session is threatened.
 Is there need of any further excite ment and strife7 The Governor has not hesitated to say that the extra ses- sion Is to be called to punish the rail- roads which have appealed to. the courts for protection of their rights. They have not stepped beyond the law, nor are they in defiance of the law. Some of the ablest judges of Alabama have in jury charges, sustained the le- gal rights of the roads to have laws suspended while the courts are pass ing upon their constitutionality.
 If these roads were acting outside of the law, if they were in defiance of the State of Alabama, would these pa 
 triotic and able circuit judges have failed to have taken action to maintain the dignity of the law and preserve the integrity of the State? There has been a lot of loose talk and a lot of dema- gogic appeals. but the judges of the State courts have passed upon the aues- tion in the light of reason and above the plane of the demagogue.
 And now a punitive session is threat ened. There was something brutal in the threat. Unless you come down by october 1st I'll fix you" The threat was in line with the declaration of the Senate leader of the Administration:
 we have got the cloth and we pro- pose to cut 1t ourselves according to our own notion" No chance for argu- ment, no opportunity for reason-but a reckless purpose of working for our will because we have got the power.
 Is there any wonder that the ran- roads took the laws enacted in that spirit to the courts7 And because they did the Legislature is to be called together to do dire, unnamed things te them.
 The need of an extra session Is moi clear to the thinking man. Eight oi the eleven principal roads operating ir | Alabama have accepted the rates, al laid down by the Legislature. No cry has gone up from the people demand ing that the Legislature meet and force the three protesting roads to theiI knees. Perhaps the people are begin ming to realize that the new rates dG not carry for the consumef the bene l fits that were promised, for the pur' chaser is not buying the necessitiei of life any cheaper than he was before the new rates went into effect. I money is being saved the consumer i, certainly not saving. it in the new rates.
 The business interests, the men wh' make the real prosperity of the Stat are engaging in no agitation for leg islative session of vindtctiveness. Tn money market is tight-tighter than l has been in a long time. Unfriendl! Legislation Is undoubtedly responsibl in a large degree for capitals sensi tiveness and alarm. It is bad tim for more warfare on prosperity.
 An extra session will arouse an, faIarm every business interest In tn ; state. The call may mention only rail road legislation, to be considered b, the Legislature. but two-thirds of tn members can take up any subject. Let well enough alone" has bee } pretty good rule. Alabama certainl does not need an extra session of tn Legislature.