The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-07

with them for settling with the state.
AT the extra session of the legislature
when the laws regarding railroads were
being enacted it was widely reported and
generally believed that Judge Jones had
assured the railroads that he would en-
join all the laws. He not only issued
injunctions against the railroad commits
sion, against courts, solicitors, attorneys
and citizens, but hesalso published threat
ening edicts of imprispnments, fines, etc.
This was the most unusual proceeding
ever instituted in any state. 1t was new
to Alabama and caused unrest and humil-
iation throughout the state. 1t naturally
created any amount of talk pro and
con. ! believe that several solicitors and
Judges gave out statements that he had
exceeded his authority and that the in
functions We're invalid. | have no doubt
there was a good deal of talk about
conflict of authority, federal and state,
and as to what would be done. fire.
quently heard it stated that the United
States deputy and sub-deputy marshals
boosted of how they would put the state
officers in the jug" There was a good
deal of talk coming from Judge Jones
office about federal troops, army and
navy. 1t was very generally believed that
by his invitation he had railroad en-
poyes come to his chambers, where i'll
the most spectacular manner he assured
them of the protection of his court 1t
is true that he requested the attorney
general to come before his court and
plead as to why the solicitors and sher-
ifs should not be enjoned, and that the
attorney general replied that he thought
it was useless, as the judge had already
before the date of the trial issued and
published his opinion uphoding the pre-
int nOSSlble
PLANTATION can Judge Jones give of this
UNIQUE proceeding? Anyone reading OF
this or hearing of the talk could but come
to the conclusion that Judge Jones was
not in judicial frame of mind.
Case of SteagalI.
s'He cited Hon. H. B. Steagall, solicit
| tor of a circuit court, for contempt OF the
| federal court for idle words uttered to one
! of the deputy marshals in distant town
of the state. l must say, as governor OIL
the state, trying to maintain the integrity
{ of our laws, trying to work for the best
| interest of every property that | was
shocked beyond expression.
| IT believe in the national government
| and while | was too young to nave the
honor of being a Confederate veteran, |
believe there is no stronger menace TO
the federal government than the sup
preston of the state. Perhaps never be-
l trust never again. The Legislature had
been conservatives; the freight and pas
senger rates were among the most con-
sentative of any state in the unlon l
dare say that in no state have the cor
porations been better cared for. AS gov
+ ernor | have tried to secure the DOM
nance of the state and the equalization
of our laws so that the law should apply
to every citizen and property alike.
'"rhat | melted our grand juries, solic-
itors and Judges to find bills against the
railroads or individuals, or to make pros
ecutions, is vagary of brain fevered
with its own excitement. In proof of his
statement why did not the judge refer
to some solicitors, judges or grand Juries?
| THAT l went to President Roosecelt
and told him that unless he called down
his federal Judge in Alabama there would
be trouble, and received from the Presi-
dent the characteristic reply that If
made any trouble in Alabama, the Presi-
dent would see that it did not last long,
is incorrect. Any one who knows me ana
my relations with Mr.. Roosevelt should
know better. I have the highest respect
and esteem for Mr.. Roosevelt, both as
President and as an individual. My rela-
lions have been most cordial with him,
and 1 am a great admirer of his force of
character and bravery. I first discussed
the Alabama rate cases with him by his
Invitation when on trip down the Mis-
sissippi. When Judge Jones had Mr..
steagaii elted ior contempt l. as soseihoT
a,,Id ,ot eonoeiva hou, far he In b;s ex-
o,ta,,,a,,t o,,a avoogeratad aeotisn, MIGHT
GO wont n Washington taking With
,na oonv of the Advertiser which in
great headlines nublished the stadyau
confemnt citato, and ohtained an inter-
yjaw with the president and showing
hin, n COW ~ tie NAVE, ana feline. hin
the story of conditions In Alabama. asked
10 he oonld e,iva nc any raliaf NV racoI.
lection of his replv Is that he said Gov
arnor tb,s is one Of onr courts T have
No control over the courts or jndgas
what can 7 40, must snstain tba
co,,rts, ran,iad that r,,hi,a .aaoar,saa
this st.+an,ent as tr,,a tho,,aJlt n,,,
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la sror, s,,,l, ,rs,aad,,,ar s -" 80 go -
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tat,o, a. A4tnu,, ce..,a, ~. J,n.'n
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ene ~ ;,an,.,son,s,t w pS aul,,.' my ans
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