Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-03-03
ANTI-MONOPOLY.
Mammoth Demonstration of the
League at Cooper Institute, NY.

ANEh O1EhY i GU 10 II ld1SS IIldSs
meeting was held, tonight, at the
Cooper institute under the auspices ot
the national anti-monopoly league
Peter Cooper was present. President
Chittenden briefly stated the objects
and purpose cf the league, asserting its
origin to be the outgrowth of exact
| ing corporate powers and urging the
necessity of universal organization on
the same systematic basis by the en-
tire taxing and buying element of the
country. Judge Black, of Pa, was
introduced. He spoke for over an
hour and is the course of his address,
which in the key note of the legal
and constitutional aspect of the trans
portation question, he considered at
length relations of corporations to the
public. He said that the course of
these institutions had been steadily
moving toward complete monopoly:
their ultimate designs were fraught
with the greatest danger to the
state, and unless legislation should step
in and aid the oppressed people
in little while the machinery of the
government would be thrown into the
hands Of the monopolists. These men,
said the speaker, are not made satisfied
with their possessions, they will still
continue to water stocks to absorb
the property of others, and to tax the
producers at their own caprice, by the
consolidation Ofrailroads and the union
of telegraph lines. The subver-
sion of the law and in
security given corporate properties.
By their refusal to recognize the rights
of minority shareholders, they have
sat at defiance the rights of public and
individual; prevented beneficial COM
pletion and tramped upon the spirit of
the constitution and laws of the their
country. He avocated that railroad
men should be turned out Of office
under the government, and their duties
compelled as well as the rights of others
observed. The constitutional methods
by which people might be protected in
their rights were discussed and authori-
ties quoted to demonstrate that the
remedy lay in the hands Of the public
itself. 1t was shown that by the power
of their wealth railroads had obtained
a large share Of the control of the su-
preme courts and various legislative
bodies, and that judges were elected
and representatives selected with spec
ial reference to their fitness for advanc-
ing the interests of the corporations.
They represented railroads and were
rapidly assuming an influence dispro-
portlonate to the position they occu-
pied toward other bodies. The charac-
ter and extent Of such laws
rs should be enacted was explained and
their adoption strongly recommended
[ have limited at some of the dangers
which menace our future. If it be to
correct this evil and to avert these
dangers, that your league has been Or
ganized, it will receive the benediction
Of the people.
Congressman Reagan, who addressed
himself principally to the practical
remedies which have been proposed
for abuses Of corporate powers and ex-
planned the features of the Reagan bill
recently introduced into congress for
the regulation of interstate commerce
by railroad as a step in the right direc-
ton. The following resolution was
then introduced:
That it is the duty of citizens everywhere to
organize anti-mOnopoly leagues and endeavor to
secure among others, the following specific
rules:
First-Laws compelling transportation and
telegraph companies to base their charges risk
and cost of service.
Second-Laws to prevent pooling and com
binations.
Third-Laws to prevent discrimination against
any class of citizens on public highways.
Fourth-COurts to give effect to the l&Ws
placed on the statute books.
Fifth-Laws to make it the official duty by
officers to defend citizens against corporate in
justice.
sixth-Laws to prevent public taxation to pay
dividends on watered stock.
Seventh-Laws against bribery.
Eighth-Laws to regulate the commerce of the
several states.
Ninth-A liberal policy toward water ways.
1t was resolved that independent
Journals should be encouraged, and
that the bread, meat and fuel Of the
masses should not be taxed to pay the
dividends of fictitious costs of construc-
ton.
The meeting was afterwards address
ed by others advocating the principles
embodied in the resolutions which
were adopted.
| Justice Clifford, of the United States
supreme court, who is a hopeless inva-
lid, is under the constant care of his
devoted wife, who has grown very old
in her looks since her husbands attack.
A few days ago the invalid escaped
from her care and wandered out
through the halls of the hotel, looking
pitifully into faces that he did not re-
member, although they were the faces
of old friends. He was going to court
] l. e I1ra n
him; in few minutes his nurse led
him back, without resistance, into his
room.