The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-02-28
vOx poPULI.
GOVERNOR CONFER AND
HIS RAIL ROAD ATTITUDE.
Mobile. Ala, Feb. 25.


Mobile, Ala, Feb. 25.
Editor, Pensacola Journal:
More attacks on railroadS-GoV.
Conner handles stick again."
Under the above caption the Mont
gomery Advertiser, of Feb "a, brings
the Conner tidings of salvation to the
thousands of railroad ex-employes,
who are vainly seeking work and
mourning because they find IL not ''Oh,
We of little faith" in this booted and
spurred cavalier, doing the political
bareback-riding stunt, listen to him for
his cause and be silent that you may
hear: While ostenSibiy investigating
the site for a high school, where he
had been invited to come and address
the citizens on the subject of educa-
ton, Governor 3. B. Conner delivered
an address uehclding his administra-
ton and making further attacks On the
railroads OF the state. The education
al features of the address were subor-
dinated to his defense of his admins
tration-"
We are told that charity yazrnteth
not itself, and is not pulled up and
in that spirit of sweet humility here
inculcated, we venture to remark
that no administration from the fall
OF the Roman empire to the one he at
urgent need of defense against the fol-
lies that surround 1t. The ukase has
gone forth. Listen! He beneath whose
potential footsteps railroads and IT,
gers tremble says: 81 intend to run
this state in the interest of the people,
despite any of these in1unctions."
Here is message of tender solicitlIde
for the hungry hosts of unemployed
which his whirlwind administration
has been largely instrumental IN pro-
ducing. and fling of defiance IN the
face of him who formerly filed with
honor and distinction a position that
IS now suffering from the absence of
these attributes. He says further:
SOME Of the business men OF cur
state have complained that there
should be a reaction OF these laws,
that they are injurfng the commercial
interests OF the state. I want to say
TO you good people that the grand old
ship of state is sailing smoothly and
IS headed towards the peoples rights
Now you business men may readily
perceive that no grounds exist for your
complaint, for the 'tguy'ner," who is
fresh from your ranks, says there is
none, and he knows. You people of
involuntary leisure are assured that
the ship is smoothly sailing and is
headed towards Your rights. from
which you may derive the same cheer
as the Russian government had It re-
celVed similar assurance from Re-
JestvenSky when he began his voyage
from Togo's feet to the bottom of the
China sea
We are no longer afraid OF the
railroads These railroad bluffs
wouldn't scare a crow out OF a negro's
field. To what circumstance is the
country indebted for this outburst of
intrepidity, this dazzling gem OF
thought? Has there been any recent
sale OF mercantile or manufacturing :,
interests, or is it the product of an
overweening self-sufficiency? To many
it Is news that we whoever the pro-
noun refers to, ever were afflicted
with fear of railroads. To the con
trary, there is abundance OF evidence
that live and intelligent communities
have strenuously endeavofed to secure
the presence of this spectre Of which
we" were formerly afraid. 1t is ex-
hilarating to note the imbleness dis
played by the Hon. 3. B. IN leaping
from the sublime TO the ridiculous
From gravely discussing questions of
state. he descerdS TO cracking jokes.
The Advertiser says: THE gov
ernor attempted to enliven his re-
marks with few anecdotes and jokes, |
ard some OF these jokes were a bit |
and the governor seemed |
somewhat embarrassed when they fell |
Hat Exactly. Diseredfted orators |
and inappreciative audiences are noted |
for embarrassing situations wherever |
they face earlh other The faculty Of |
perception which enabled this modern |
DemOsthenes to feel embarrassed |
should have its weieht with those who !
rensure his constituents for sendine |
him to Montgomery instead OF Tusca- |
oosa
The governor strongly endorsed |
Ia--s->.1-ls-< axatiraca suicide nlatfnrm.