The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-02-22
your attention, under constitutional restraint,

your attention, under constitutional restraint,
is more than I can comprehend.
The great railroad interest with its invest
ment Of S23OO0,0O0, being, as already stated,
$3,OO0,O0O more than the original \valua-
ton OF the whole State, has sprung
INTO existence since the formation of
cur constitution. 1t is now outside of any
constitutional regulations, and wishing to re-
main so, is opposed to a constitutional con-
yentlon. 1t will not probably oppose it open
ly, but the opposition will be none the less
srrel, and effeclualy made. And here may
be the beginning of thai contest which is yet
TO be wagel between the people and these
great mOnopolies. Busted with our private
affairs we are liable to lose sight OF the exist
ing dangers and the importance of this mat
ter. We forget that there is an intensity in
the action OF human thought to day never
witnessed before; or it we do not forget, we
think OF it in connection with such deyel-
opments as the increase OF general knowl-
edge. new discoveries in the domain of sci
ence, improvement in our laws, higher tone
of morality, and efforts for the general well
being of the race; but we must bear in mind
that the coolest heads, the keenest and
most far seeing intellects in the land, singly
and combined, are laboriug with a zeal and
earnestness worthy a better cause, to cor.
rupt or overawe legislatures, and to secure
SICao iiouoPOhCo anu CACIuSlNG privileges Tor
their own special ACKNOWLEDGMENT, What is
to be the result Of that great contest which is
not far in the future, between the people and
these great monopolies, none hut infinite wis
dom knows. Whether they will finally weld
to law, or IN their fancied strength and secur-
Ity will rush blindly on in their selfish
schemes, till the people goaded to madness
shall rise in their might and hurl them per-
haps with deeds of bloodshed and violence
from place and power we cannot tell, but
with the light OF history which deals with
the same human nature in all ages, with the
developments Of the last few years in New
York, Pennsylvania and the Western States
to guide us, we shall wrong ourselves and sin
against those who come after us, if we fail
while we have the power to erect such con.
StitutiOnal barriers as we may, against the
selfish and INSCRIPTIONS power of these great
monopolies. This may be regarded by some
as being said merely for effect, or as being
applicable TO Camden and Amboy, Hartford
and Erie, Pennsylvania and the New York
Centrals railroads. wish with all my heart
that there was no cause for alarm; but let us
bear in mind that a combination has been
formed within our own borders, embodying
an amount of wealth and talent, such as has
never before been known in the history OF
this State; already they control property to
the amount of $10,O0OO00. They also con-
troll large proportion OF the best legal talent
in the State, aud they further claim to possess
the knowledge that the Judges of the Su
preme Court are favorable to their schemes;
how that knowledge was obtained they do
not see tit to inform us, whether they put
this forth merely tor effect, or have actually
tempered with the members OF the court
(which cannot believe) we have no means
Of knowing, but no longer ago than the Sec
ond day OF last month, one who rom being
bitter opponent OF consolidation, by some un-
| explained means became warm friend of
the measure, and has occupied very proml-
nent position in ARRANGING this combination,
| either In the real security arising from a
| knowledge of the TACT, or in the fancled secur-
| ity OF his supposed impregnabe position, in a
| public conveyance, confidently stated that the
| Supreme Court was all right for the carrying
out the purposes OF their combination. In
| closing l most earnestly disclaim any feeling
of opposition to this interest, which has done
so much to develope our State, or of enter
tanning any feeling of hostility towards those
who control it. l only ask in the nlme OF
law, OF Justice and common sense that this
great interest. like all other interests shall be
subjected to constitutional regulation.
The arguments Tor a constitutional conven-
ton may be summed up as turning upon this
point, whether the great material interests OF
our State shall be under the regulation an d
control OF constitutional law, or subject to
the uncertainties, The changes, and often the
corruptions OF annual legislation.