The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-11-03

StHdtOT WtuuOm W tHc EIcoiucuI Va
the New York Autobiography League
in February 1881. demonstrates
whether or not he Is the friend of the
people. We hope every reader Of
THE FREE PRESS will read this ar
ticle, that they may know what an
earnest and outspoken opponent TO
monopolies our United States Senator
is:
UNITED STATES SENATE CHAMBER,
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Feb. ID, 1881.
My DEAR SIR:
deeply regret that my official
duties of an imperative nature, pre-.
vent the acceptance of your invita-
ton to address the meeting at Cooper
institute on the 2lst inst.
Until to day ! hoped to arrange my
business so rs to be- with you, but
now find it will he impossible. The
purpose of your league, as l under.
stand 1t, is not to wage war upon
corporations, but conceding to them
all of their legal and just rights, to
demand full protection for the rights
of the citizens against the abuses and
aggressiOns of corporate power, and
to insist upon the enforcement OF
those principles of law and national
rights as defined by the supreme court
of the United States.
In this effort you have my most
hearty sympathy and cooperation.
Your cause Is just, but the contest
upon which you have entered is no
child's play. You grapple with
giants; wise and conservative counsels
will alone secure success.
You must be as ready to concede
rights as you are determined in de.
manding. No agrarious or com.
munistic spirit must find p';t,r in
your proceedings. The character OF
the men who compose your OrganiZa-
tion gives assurance against danger
ON this point. The constitution and
the spirit of our institutions are on
your side. Intrenched behind these
you cannot fail. Corporate power has
done much to develop our country, and
for its good deeds ! accord in full
credit. AS an instrument to execute
the will and serve the interests of
the public, it is Of incalculable value,
but rs the
"IMPERIOCs RULER OF THE PEOPLE"
it is a most cruel and relentless
tyrant. Kept within the limits OF
proper Restraints, 1t is an invaluable
servant of the public.
Unrestained by the forces of law
and public opinion, it will prove Il
most dangerous master. The individ-
ual citizen is impotent to contend
with this giant power. Governmental
authority, state and national, alone is
competent to restrain its aggressions
and correct its abuses.
repeat what | said some years
ago, that there are in this country
four men representing the great
trunk lines OF railroad. who possess
and not infrequently exercise II
power over the proper and industrial
interests of the country far greater
than Congress or any State legisla.
tiOn would dare to exert-pOwers
which, if exercised, the 10000 900 OF
people who read their morning pa.
pers will receive just such impress.
SiOns as this one man may choose to
give them. Public affairs and bust
ness interests will be seen through
his glasses, and with such cOloring as
may please him.
The legislator who is bold enough
to strike blow in the interests of
the people and against the abuses ana
entertainments of corporate power,
will find himself misrepresented, or
unable to secure hearing before his
own constituents.
The people will find them.
selves unable to communicate with
each other except by the gracious
will and pleasure of this autocrat of
the wire.
Should special correspondents un.
dertake to supply information, they
too will find that they must do it
over wires owned by the owner of the
associated press.
The channels of commerce and the
channels of thought, thus under the
control Of one man. or of few men.
WHAT is to RESTRAIN
this dangerous power, as to hinder
these men from depressing on en-.
HANGING all the values of the proper
ty of the people to suit their own
caprice and avarice, and thereby
gather into their own Golfers the
wealth of the nation
Where is the limit to such power
OF such property, and industrial
interests of the country when welded
by men who recognize no responsible.
ity to the public, and no principle of
action but personal and cooperate
aggrandizment. These are some of
the dangers that meanace our future.
If your league shall do anything to
avert them, you will merit and re.
ceive the benedictionS of the whole
country. The practical question is,
how shall it be done? or to use the
words of another, "what are you
going to do about it!" To my mind
the answer is easy. This gigantic
and dangerous power can only be
successfully controlled and reduced
to oblivion by the organized power Of
the people through their state and
national governments. That such
an authority exists, l have not a
shadow of doubt; it is plainly written
in the constitution and has been un.
equivocally declared by the supreme
court.
The limits of this letter will not
permit a discussion of the constitu.
tional questions involved nor u speci-
fic statement of the practical remedy.
l may however, suggest that in my
judgement the first and most impera-
tive duty of Congress is to establish
a system of
POSTAL TELEGRAPH
which shall give the people a cheap,
safe and sure means of cOmmunica-
ton and thereby emancipate them
from the supervision and con.
troll of corporate monopoly. This
done, they will have the means of de.
Tense in their own hands, and can
command their own terms. That
such system is practical, economical
and profitable Is no longer doubtful.
1t has been tried in other countries
and proved eminently successful.
For myself desire to say that
shall spare no effort for the attain
ment of this great object. ] am aware
that 1t will require great care, ami
much labor to frame law which |
shall successfully regulate and re-
strain the action of the great trans
pOrtation companies, which shall at
the same time do full justice TO them.
and vat omit mn essential element ot