The Lexington progress. (Lexington, Tenn.) 1884-current, 1922-10-06

/ .UuUWiuS duulCoo.
Fellow Citizens:
For many years ! have been doini
political service for my party and m!
| friends, but this is the first time II
the history Of my political career tina
ever appeared before the people O
| my State asking any favors for my
self at their hands.
Some time ago / was chosen as thu
lominee of my party, without opposi
ion, as its candidate for Railroad am
Public Utilities Commissioner, ant
might add that | was chosen, as |
we're, by unanimous consent as | wa
no way a candidate for the nomi
alton, and Ia. fact same was made
yithout my knowledge or consent
ut since | have been called by my
party and named as their candidate
without opposition, I accept and an
ow seeking election to this honora
Die position.
WITHIN a short time after was
nominated for this honorable posi-.
ton the hand Of death stretched
iorth and removed from the com
mission the late Col. B. A. Enloe,
who had been a member Of the com
mission since its organization and
who had been the chairman Of the
commission as well as one Of its most
honored members, and the man who
perhaps did more to blaze the way
for the future activities Of the com
mission than any other Of its men,
bers. After the death Of Col. Enloe
it became the duty Of Governor Tay-
or to appoint his successor. With
out application from me, the Gov
ernor named me to succeed him.
Since my appointment have care
fully studied the laws, rules and reg
ulations governing the commission. l
have tried with all my power to as
certain fully my duty and to dis
charge it in such way as to do even
handed justice to all who come un-
der the jurisdiction or supervision OF
the commission.
MY study of these things and my
investigation have led me to the con.
clusion that this commission, when
properly conducted, is Of unlimited
,eneft to the people Of Tennessee.
dany people of our State, especially
hose who live in country districts, in
ny humble judgment, know but very
title about the scope and possibility
I this commission. When l became
member knew but very little
bout it. After investigation and
lose study I was surprised at the
,reat good that can be accomplished
or the public when it Is conducted
the law intended it should be.
My every effort shall be, SO long as
remain in this position, to Look to
the interest Of all and see that even
handed justice is melted out.
The commission is a court, the COM
missioners are the judges, having to
Ass upon and sit in judgment on all
matters, or practically all matters,
pertaining to the public utilities in
the State, such as gas plants, electric
plants, street railways, telephones,
railroads and all other public utilities
n Tennessee, fixing the rates that
the public must pay. All public utili-
ties in the State are incorporated and,
hence, the Railroad Commission has
to deal with these great corporations
as well as with the public, 80 you
can see the necessity Of constant
study and close application necessary
for each commissioner In order that
they may always be ready to with
stand the pressure and cope with the
greatest lawyers these great corpora
lions can procure, and you know and
know that these great corporations
never let anything pass that can be
obtained by the best talent they can
secure; and I am afraid that many
times these corporations spend q
great deal Of money for the purpose
Of getting advantages in order to
override the public, who must, in the
end, pay the freight.
Duty to People.
As a member Of this commission,
my first duty is to the people to see
hat their rights are conserved and
that no undue advantage Is taken Of
them. am not unmindful of the
| fact that we must have these cor
porations. know they are great de-
velopers and have played large and
prominent part in the progress Of our
State and Nation, and I would not use
my influence or my position arbitra-
rily against the corporation, but
shall never consent to let them use
their powers against the public. Ibe-
lieve in the doctrine Of equal rights
to all and special privileges to none,
doctrine which every honest man
willingly subscribes to and which ev-
cry honest man desires to see car
ried out.
In pursuance Of this doctrine and
idea, within a few days after | had
become a member of the commits
sion, drafted an order which was
passed by the commission asking fol
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