The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-17

methods, more direct responsibility and more efficient and economical admin istration; the enactment of more adequate laws to prevent the sale of impure, pois- onous and adulterated foods, drugs and drinks; the extension and widening of the scope of our laws for safeguarding and promoting the public health by the adoption of the most approved and scien- t:fic legislation against the spread of dis eases and epidemics and by proper sani- tary and hygenic rules; the encourage ment of the conservation of our timber supply and natural resources: the enact ment of such statutes as will better se- cure the enforcement of our game and fish laws; the adoption of general prim- ary law by which the expenses of candi- dates con be controlled; the publication of false and slanderous attacks on candi- dates prevented, and a complete corrupt practice act in line with the advanced thought of the country; the enactment Of such laws as will increase and encourage the discipline, efficiency and strength of the Alabama National Guard, may be mentioned as some of the most impor- tant subjects which will engage my at tention and which should receive the careful consideration of the, law-making department.
 
 which guarantee to every legitimate en- terprise the equal protection of the law, invite and encourage the investment of capital in our borders.
 we should demand from all public service corporations just, fair, impartial and courteous service, free from discrim-
 nation and rebates and complete recog- hilton on their part that they are subject to the paramount authority of state, which. while insistent upon obedience to the law, will accord these corporations just and adequate returns upon their in- vestments.
 We should by wise legislation correct the admitted evils of the fee system and overcome it's inequalities and injustice. we should, as far as the condition Of the treasury will permit, not only con- tinue, but increase, our appropriations for the Confederate soldier, whose glory is the proudest heritage of a grateful people.
 Withhold Final Judgment
 1T do not deem this occasion appro- priate for a more extended review of the policies I shall advocate. Many of the subjects mentioned have already received
 more careful thought and study by the members of the legislature, and by oth- CTS than have been able to give them in the limited time at my command I shall, | therefore, withhold my final judgment un- 1 til have had full opportunity to confer and consult with those who are specially charged with the law-making power of the state. and without whose cordial aid and cooperation I recognize I can &C., complish but little of what the public have a right to expect.
 "Goyernment is constantly becoming
 more complex. In our early days. when | population was sparse, when our interests were almost entirely agricultural and when the inter-relations of men were few and simple, our laws were few and simple, but with the advance of population, man. ufacturing and commercial interests, dis covery and invention, and the increasing complexity of the social structure, there has been necessarily corresponding ad- vance in the wider range and subjects tof legislative action,
 | ",There is more legislation today because | there are more subjects requiring legis- lative action. The new or novel questions | created by modern commerce and civiii-
 zation makes more delicate and difficult l the task we are to perform, and we should not adopt new and untried exper- | iments from mere love of novelty or overlook the line of demarkation between wholesome regulation and harmful inter- l ference. Yet, on the other hand, we would be unworthy of, public confidence, | if the difficulties of the questions or the 1 spirit of timid conservatism prevented us from bravely seeking and applying
 those remedies which in our judgment will best solve the problems that con- front us. In all legislative enactments l to meet new and novel conditions we should not overlook the vital importance | of adherence to those fundamental prin- ciples which lie at the very basis of our
 free institutions, and which we cannot afford to ignore if our system of repre-
 sentative government is to be maintained
 Interest in Public Affairs
 "The old theory was that a successful fbusIness man had no time to devote to public affairs or to concern himself with | the management of state or municipal government. They were seemingly con
 tent to entrust those duties to those who
 might seek and secure public office and under the mistaken assumption that their | interests could not be affected by any | legislation and administrative action that might ensue. It is true that this indiffer- ence did not apply to public service cor porations. whose political activities were | often so pernicious as to arouse public l indignation. But, aside from public ser | vice corporations and other special inter- | ests seeking governmental privilege or l favor the great business interests of the | state were inclined to stand aloof and tc
 refuse to take any part or seek to exer' any influence in legislation or govern.
 ment. Happily, these conditions have changed and their former careless indif ference has been transformed into a keen
 alert. active and vigilant interest in pub lie affairs The business interests of thu state. the men who labor in the field. tht forest the factory, the mine. in ths
 counting room, and in every profession
 and occupation. recognize the fact that 1.-the complexity of modern civilization hal