Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1881-11-24
ANTI.MONOPOLY.

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time in the State of New York and
lately has extended to several of the
other States, whose purpose is to oppose
all mouopolies which seek to enrich
themselves by tho expressions OF the
mass of the people, especially the pro-
ducsrs Of the country. At the present
their opposition is especially directed
against rail road corporations. AT
conference held in Utica, N. Y, recent
~ by this organization, l.. f. Chltten-
den made candid but telling speech.
The following are few extracts from
this speech:
An enemy has been born and come
to maturity in our republic which is
dealing heavy blows againt its life. 1t
is the united power Of corporations.
Once they worked singly and by secret
processes corrupted the people. They
are grown holder now and believe
themselves invincible. They have en-
riched their followers with spoils. They
have brought town, city and State un-
der their dominion, and having cap
tured most Of the outworks are now
preparing for the final assault upon the
citadels of our Governments the State
Legislatures, Congress and Supreme
Court Of the United States. 1t would
be strange, indeed, if the people were
not alarmed, If the country was not
more profoundly stirred by the bold
aggressions Of corporations than ever
before. In the presence If national
danger the people have hoped that there
would be some limit to these aggres.
sions, but every new one gives rise to
another until it has become certainty
that they will not cease short of abso.
lutte control Of the Government. This
fact has impressed itself on the minds
Of all thoughtful men, of all citizens
not held to corporations by bonds of
personal interest, and these citizens
hare decided, with unanimity almost
unknown before 10 this country, with
out distinction Of party or of creed,
that these aggressions must cease; "that
corporations, the creature OF the State,
shall be controlled by the State" This
decision Of the people has brought US
together.
Again he says: "We are fighting
IN INSCRIPTIONS enemy with money
enough at his command and purpose
70 ''place it where it will do the most
good" He acts on the theory that
every man has his price. He has no
politics. no religion, no conscience, No
soul. /. is not wise to underestimate
4 power which already practically con-
trolls thresquarters Of the States of this
Union. Against the money and in
huence Of corporations We oppose the
virtue and intelligence of the people.
They are always on the side Of liberty
and history. When the American peo-
pie become interested in a subject and
give II m examination they always dc.
eide right. There il not money enough
above ground to hire majority Of them
% work against their convictions. The
people are thinking now more univer-
sally about the aggressions Of corpora.
tons than they ever did upon any sub,
ject before"
Y Again: "The anti-monopoly move
msnt is known OF all men to be . con-
serva'ive, lawful and necessary move
mont to put down huge evil by con-
stitutlonal means. The monopolists
have made their attack upon our mo-
tives - red Republicans who favored
universal division of property, and we
uttered no word in answer. The peo-
pie may be trusted in this case. They
appreciate and favor our motives and
our objects"
Again: "Upon on. thing all good
msn must be agreed. We must re.
move from the State the reproach Of
past Legislation. We must replace the
pnrchasable legislator by the true man
Who viii serve the people. This done
- may trust the legislature to apply
1teeper remedies and to bring corpora
tions under control. Perhaps may
usne some measuresupou which the
teopls Of this State are agreed. They
- agreed that the rail roads shall not
1e1trpy the canals, without which we
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