The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08

associates did not feel as intensely as he felt concerning the rates charged in Alabama by the railroads, he de- termined to be governor.
 He announced his candidacy, ex- plained his reason for desiring to achieve the position of chief execu- tive, and urged the people to elect a railroad commission and a legisla- ture equally as determined as he to ''curb the railroads"
 The people listened. Conner was elected governor The legislature was <, so strongly determined to give Ala bama rate equally as low as the Georgia rate, that it agreed on the first day to make laws according to the direction of the governor.
 The "110 commodity" bill was en- acted. A 21s cent passenger rate was made effective in Alabama. And when Conner retired, he felt that he had carried out his every promise to the people who had elected him to the states most honorable office.
 After his retirement, however, the courts declared his rate bills confisca- tory. And at the present time, Conner is again on the jump. He has initi- ated a renewal of the old campaign. He has announced-to use his own language-that he will remain true to the people even until "the cows come home." He meant what he said, and what is more, the people know it.. He may make an effort to acquire the gubernatorial nomination. If he does not it will be because Governor O'Neal and his legislators will have accomplished the work which Conner feels himself called upon to do. If he enters the next state campaign, the consensus of opinion is that he will be victorious.
 The political enemies of Conner have charged, as Brutus charged Ceasar, that he is ambitious. There is scarcely a doubt but that he is. But Conner is not ambitious enough, it is believed, to permit any natural de- sire that he might have to attain other political office to swerve him from the course of his duty-as he sees that duty.
 The ambitious" argument was em- ployed, as is remembered, when he announced his candidacy for the of flee of governor.
 The following was the expression used: He wants to be governor be- cause he says he could not accom- plish his purpose as president of the railroad commission; he will next de- sire the office of senator, and will tell us that he could not exert suffi- cient force while governor"
 The argument, in the light of to- day, can scarcely hold water. There is hardly doubt but that had Conner desired to be senator, he could have acquired that office at the hands of the legislature which is now referred l to as "the Conner legislature. As a matter of fact, by certain leaders in that session of the lawmakers, sug- gestions and overtures were made. But in each instance, Conner, like Caesar, thrust aside the crown. He thought that he owed it to the people to remain firm in the fight against the railroads, and that he remained firm, is indisputably true.
 There is reason for the belief that Conner would rejoice at an oppor- tunity to enter the campaign which is now brewing for seat in the senate. But there is no man in Alabama who believes that he will yield to this am- bition as long as the Louisville and Nashville railroad demands and re- ceives passenger rate of 3 cents per mile.