The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-07

into office on his criticisms of railroao abuses and alleged discrimtnations In freight rates. He demanded of the people the election of Legtsiature in accord with his own views. He dlc- tated to that Legislature his views embodied in acts to carry out nis eA- press policies; and while ne may naso made mistakes and doubtless did mane some, the Legislature was under III piled instru1ion to give the Governo. policy in thS Smatter Of railroad legisIa- tion a fair trial. The acts passed a.e now hung up in the Federal Courts than this was the Legislature In any wise bound to pass any act because favored by the Governor. avery one at all familiar with the Constitution knows that the duties of the Governor are executive, and constitute one de. pertinent of the State government, anu that the Legislature constitutes an other and separate department. ls' to say the least of 1t, indelicate ana IT appropriate for one of these to interI. fere with or usurp the powers or tne other I often heard from reiiaoie sources that if the Legislature passed any act containing any language wnich did not fully meet with the approval of the Governor, that he drew his pen across the objectionable words. and at once drafted substitute TOT them. This he would return to the house in which 1t originated. and. thereupon. as soon as known to that house that the Governors suggestion was adminis- tration, 1t was immediately passed. NO one who disapproved 1t would be all ciSssad tH With the Opposition I xSs ernor. The Legislature was. there fore, characterized as different from any that ever sat in Alabama.
 Governor Conner is doubtless very good man in many respects. but he has his imperfections as well as other pa triotic citizens of the State. In the high position that he holds ef his own seeking, he is amenable to the crfti- cism of his friends. There are at least two vital points in connection with the late Legislation in which he will have to bear the blame whatever 1t may be; first, he will be held respon- sible for every objectionable piece of Legislation, because of his interference sage; second, by his action he as- stunned all responsibility for anti-rail- road and all other legislation, not only because he approved them. but because and, in some cases, wrote them. No Governor that a State ever had has gone so far towards the blending or the executive and legislative powers. ally true, but 1t Is so understood by the public; and Governor Conner will be held responsible for all these thtngs.s among which the distribution of the money he round Tn the treasurSk 6tuouB some fifty banks in the State as de- positories is striking example.
 On the question of education there can be no doubt but that when the last Legislature met. the condition of the State and it's people required larger and more general appropriations than at any time in its previous history. Moreover. the condition of the treas this did not justify the wild extent to which it went Republican examples of wild expenditure in all things was strickly adhered to.
 The Republican party. like a vast and aggressive invading army, has for years been besieging the bulwark of true statesmanship, namely, the Jef. fersonian principles Of taxation and economy, and seeking far and wide to encompass their destruction. Where 1t encamped last night in its invasion, the Democratic army comes struggling along on It's trail and encamps tonight In Alabama we ridiculously hold on to the name of Democracy. but practically to none of its principles.
 Wm. c. Oates.