Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1914-04-22
Ny DEMOCRATIC RECORD.

i have always been a progressive demo
crat. but always approach a new question
conscious Of the difficulties which sur.
round the extension Of any governmental
function. the exercise Of a hitherto dor
mant but recognized power. or the az
sumption Of a heretofore unas>crted ac-
tivity of government. However. | have
never been hampcred with the idea that
any c%xigcncy arising in the affairs Of
the people could not be- met because the
arm of democracy is too short To bring To
our people the blessings and rights for
which government was ordained among
men in this county Of ours. dedicated 10
human liberty. based on human rights
Ny conservatism has been sufficient To-
enable mc To resist ~ all times any pro
position which | deemed WnSound ia 90.
On0mics or not Squaring with the funda-
mental tests Of democracy. hut | have
been sufficiently progressive 10 nave been
actively identified with constructive pro
grcssivc measures which have become
laws within the past twenty five years.
When n travelling man | became con
WINGED that a Railroad Commission was
necessary 10 fix rates and prevent rebates
and discrimination.
When a merchant in lIuntSyhlc I! vent
to Austin Ia confer with Our distinguish
cd Senator. the lamcntcd l.. \. Ahcrcrom-
bic. in regard to submitting 4 constitu-
tional amendment creating u Railroad
Commission. Colonel .Ahcrcrnmhic called
in Senator G. X. Bell. then az Hamilton
county. and the Commission amendment
was prepared. submitted 90 the people
and il now a part Of our organic law.
In 1870. before the Confederate rcun-
ion i'm Madison county. | declared ~ fav-
or Of pensions for Confederate veterans
i'm needy circumstances. and aftcrward
the measure for the relief Of Confederate
soldiers.
was with Governor llogg in his great
fight for the Railroad Commission the
Alien Land Law. the Stock and Bond
law. and the many reform measures dur
ing his administration
In 1Sg6 | stood with the BRYAN wing AZ
National Democracy and fought for the
principles Of the Chicago platform.
In Congress from 1876 "a 1909 was
faithful Ia the interests 1T every section
Of this State. aS i member M the Rivers
and Harbors Committee and ia al mat
tiers affecting the public welfare true to
the great body of oar lmurlc.
The Congressional record shows ~
introduced bills prohibiting trusts. CcnN
ing them the use 90 Interstate c%lrricrS
and the United States mails. ANA putting
their products upon the free list: that
my first speech ia Congress was against
the Dinglcv hill. which ! declared would
prove n harhnr of refuge for every ;raSi
then existing. aud the breeding ground
for countless trusts that would lac Organ
s~nI uular it, nrpftYfInN fpiIN.
That / voted against thc radical dr
parturc from our established policy ia
taking over the Philippine lslaal~ III an
enormous cost ~ blood and treasure:
That | made the first assault upon
chairman Hepburn ami his Interstate.
Commerce Commission because n It's fail
urc 10 bring in amendments 10 The Com
mcrcc Act 10 give The lntcrStvte Com
mcrcc Commission power "a fix and main
tain rates and prevent cNtortion. discrim-
~ination and rebates:
Thai | stood for the Ssfcty Appliance
Laws designed 20 protect the lives aud
limbs 81 employees Of Interstate carrirrS:
for an eight hour IN, amen ~ public
works. whether done hv or for the govern
mcnt: for the law t. mark convict made
goods intended for interstate shipment (.
for The pure food law. an daglin>t the
c,eomarcarinc tax intended ~ uSc thu
,,xinr powers az the government not for
rcycnuc. hut - discriminate a%painSt the
cattle and cotton industries Of the South
and West.
As a lawyer in private life har" Mum
,,cred among my clients number ~ hank
ing. industrial and public corporations
hui | challenge any man to point 70 any