The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-02-24
ANTI-MONOPOLY.
ROuslng Mass Meeting In New York-StIrrlug
Speeches by Judge Black and others.

ROuslng Mass Meeting In New YOrk-Stlrrlng
Speeches by Judge Black and Others.
New York, Feb ola large mass meeting was
held tonight at Cooper Institute under the aus.
pices Of the National Anu-Monopoly League.
Peter Cooper was present,
President L. 3. Chittenden briefly stated the
objects and purposes OF the League, asserting its
origin to be the outgrowth Of abuses Of corporate
powers, and urging the necessity OF universal or
ganizatlon on some systematic basis by the entire
tax.paying element Of the country.
Judge Blaze Of Pennsylvania, was introduced.
He spoke for over an hour and In the course of
his address, Of which the key note was the legal
and constitutional aspects of the transportation
question, considered at length the relations of
corporations to the public. He said that the
course Of these institutions had been steadily to.
ward complete monopoly; that their ultimate de-.
signs we're frsught with the greatest dancer tC
State, and that unless legislation should step in
and aid the oppressed people the whole machinery
Of the Government would be thrown into the
hands OF monopolies "These men," said the
speaker. "are not now satisfied with their posses
sions. They will still continue to water their
stocks to absorb the property Of others and TO tax
producers at their own caprice; and by the con-
solidAti0n Of railroads, union Of telegraph lines,
subveTsiOn OF laws and the insecurity glvGn cor.
pOrate properties by their refusal to recognized he
rights Of minority shareholders they have set at
defiance the rights Of the public and individual,
and prevented beneficial competition and tram.
pied upon the spirit Of the Constitution and laws
Of their country" he advocated that railroad
men should be turned out Of Office under the Gov
nfnmnnt Tho nOnntitnlinnaI mnnthndn kU mhfoh
the people might be protected In their rights
were discussed and authorities quoted 10 demon.
strate that the remedy lay In the hands Of the
public ITSELF It was shown that BY the power Of
their wealth the railroads had obtained large
share Of the control Of the Supreme and State
courts and various legislative bodies, and that
Judges were elected and representatives selected
with special reference 10 their fitness for advanc
ing the interests OF the corporations they repre-.
sented. Railroads were rapidly assuming infu.
ence dsproportionate to the relative position they
occupied toward other bodies The character and
extent OF such laws as should be enacted wasex.
planned and their adoption strongly recommend.
ed. The speaker was frequently Interrupted by
applause and at one time when he asked the
question: what shall we do with these corpora
ttOns2'' man in the audience shouted, "COt Is.
cate their Stealings." "Well," was the answer
we would like TO- but they've carried them uut
Of sight"
U, S. Senator Window sent letter in which he
treated at length the abuses which exist in the
Of railways and telegrsphs and laid
much stress on the danger Of a single man cou.
trolling the educational power Oft the press by the
ownership OF teiCgraphs, and strongly advocated
postal telegraph aud governmental restraint
to be exercised over the increase of corporate
powers.
Resolutions were adopted that 1t Is the duty Of
ciuzens everywhere 10 organise antl.monopoly
Leagues and endeRvor to secure laws which win
Ioosen The grasp Of mOnopolies and give relIef 70
lhO pubic,