The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1908-04-22

SaHoiodto TOT railroad commissioner
To the Democratic Voters of Flor
ida: However. much 1 would like to
meet you face to face and present my
self to you as a candidate for Railroad
Commissioner, it is impossible for me
to do SO, and so 1 must ask you to
allow me through this method and
through friends of your community
or county. to ask you to consider my
fitness and qualification for the work
Of Railroad Commissioner.
The interests and the welfare of
the people of Florida can only be con-
served by a Commission composed Of
men who know the rights and equities
of the people; composed of men who
know the privileges, rights and equi-
ties of the railroads; men who at all
times and under all conditions are
ready and willing to concede to the
transportation lines in the State all
and every privilege, right and equity
that belongs to them, or to which they
are or may be entitled by law or JUS
tice; composed of men who know to
what the people are entitled; men
who know the power, authority and
scope given them by law and Justice,
and who will, to the extreme limit of
such power and authority, maintain
to the people of, the State, without
sentiment, without prejudice, without
hesitation, delay or vacillation. all and
every right and equity that belongs to
them, or to which they are entitled
nothing less and nothing more. What
We need, what we want, what We are
entitled to, is ready, a safe, a rapid
and cheaper transportation or move
ment of our persons, property, prod
ucts and supplies.
1 want to be Railroad Commission
er, and feel that Lam qualified for the
office by reason Of long and continu-
Gus contact and experience with rail-
roads, as shipper, receiver and pas
senger, my experience as an employee
for six years. my association and con-
tact with officials and employees, and
so often hearing their version of the
reasons and causes for dangerous
track, lack of cars. lack of motive
power, inability to procure and con-
troll labor, cause of wrecks, losses,
damages, shortages, and sovercharges
on shipments; my long and continu-
Gus association and contact with con-
OCdlCio duu PiOouCclS, Acdi
ing their troubles, observing their
great need Of redress for wrongs done
them; ten years legislative expert
ence; was a member of the House of
Representatives 1899, 1901 and 1908;
was a member Of the Senate 1905 and
1907. Have voted for and helped to
pass every section Of the Railroad
Commission law now on the statute
books Of the State. could and would
serve with honor to myself and with
beneficial results to the people and
every interest Of the State.
My experience and contact with
railroads began in December, 1867.
From then until now, a period of 40
years, there has not elapsed a con-
tinuous month that 1 have not had
something to do, some business trans
action, with some railroad. AS a pas
senger, I have travelled on railroads
in most of the States of the Union,
and have experienced and observed
the service given by them. AS a pas
senger I have travelled on every rail-
road in this state except such as have
been constructed during the last year
or two. I have experienced and OBJ
served the service Of Florida roads.
AS consignor and as a consignee. 4
have shipped, received and handled
thousands of cars and thousands Of
tons of miscellaneous products Of the
soil, the mill, the mine and the fac
tory. Have formulated and prosecut-
ed to adjustment hundreds Of claims
for loss, damage and overcharge on
shipments.
I realize that in this age railroads
are necessary to development and to
the prosperity Of the people. and de-
velopment and prosperity Of the peo-
pie is necessary to the success and
prosperity Of the railroads. There is
no legitimate reason for antagonism
between the two. Their interests are,
and should be. mutual. All that the
people. as a people. want is just what
they are entitled to. All the railroads