The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-05
LATE SENATOR MORGAN.
Refused Offer of s5o,0o0 to Be Counsei
 for Huntingdon Railroads.


 for Huntingdon Railroads. Washington Special.
 It Is a fact not generally known that the late Senator John T. Morgan. of Alabama, refused a salary of $bO.- 900 year to become counsel for Collis P. Huntington's railroads, or if known, forgotten. The fact was alluded to by two close friends of Senator Mor- gan in delivering eulogies upon his character and public services in the house of representatives. The incident of the offer is interesting as develop ing Senator Morgan's views on the question of whether Senator of the United States should accept a retain ing fee for 6 great corporation. That Senator Morgan should have regarded Mir, Huntington's offer as an insult did not surprise those who knew the great Alabamian. Representative Craig of Alabama, in his address, alluded to the incident thus:
 His services in the Senate were a constant source of pride to his constit- uents. and the impress which he has left upon American legislation is last ing in character and marked by the profound wisdom and foresightedness of the man. His great ability as a lawyer stood him in good stead in the Senate, and his merciless cross-examin-
  ing the investigation of the refunding grabs of the Pacific Railroads, soon af- ter his advent into the Senate. placed him among the best lawyers in that body.
 An incident, is told in connection with that investigation which indicates most strongly his high character. Not long after the investigation had closed, the particular railroad magnate who AaA "A fhnrnaFerh dlrfIh- bing at the hands of Senator Morgan, called at the Senator's house. He was most cordially received, as were all visitors to that most hospitable home. During his call the railroad man re- ferred to the impression that had been made upon him of the great legal abil- tiles of the Senator. and told him that he had called to engage his services as counsel for his road. saying that they fix his salary. no matter if it went as high as $50.00O a year.
 "The reply of Senator Morgan was that so long as he served his country in the Senate, he would serve no cor porations that he had severed his con- nections with the railroads for which he was counsel at the time of his cleo tion, and that he would consider 1t favor of the railroad magnate would
  ofEer was the greatest insult ever off, fered to him during his whole service In the Senate"
 Tt Is a mistake sometimes made in estimating this great man to call him dreamer and visionary" said Represen- tative Taylor of Alabama, in his trib- ute to Senator Morgan.
 T shall take time to cite a single in- stance which ought to convince the ask gIr hNu charge is. He made up his mind to investigate and master the intricate complications of the transcontinental railroad transactions. especially those of the Central and Union Pacific Com panies. In this great battle of brains he had to cross swords with the Colos- sus of Railroads, MT. Collins P. Hunt inRton. man of towering intellect and tremendous influence and power. It was battle of giants. When these two men met each other. each knew 1t was a fight to the death. The object in hand was to settle the debt which these railroad corporations owed to the United States. Those were other days than ours, days when the railroad mag nate was a king, with all the power and influence of king.
 "A proposition had been made. and was almost accepted. on the basis of
  this was not fair to the Government. and was so insistent in his demand for an investigation by the Senate that such an investigation was held. The final outcome was a payment by the railroads of $65, ,000.O0 a net gain 10 the Government of s52.0o0,O00 in one great settlement--a fairly good, round and substa ntIal sum to be credited to a dreamer and a visionary. He was thirty years in the United States Sem ate. Tn that time. by this one trans action. there was saved to the Govern ment the splendid sum of 31,7oo.00o and over for every year of his long ser vice.
 Tt is known that Mir. Huntington offered this stainless man salary of $50. .000 a year as attorney for his rail- roads, and he refused 1t. His friends, his people. and his State are proud of the fact"
 It will hardly be contended by any body that had Senator Morgan held the retaining fee from MT. Huntington he would have been able to have made fight just as incorporating in the in- terests of the Government.
 
 NEGnn rKEUnrH CnNEERENCE.