Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-05-27

! ton OF tue United states TENDS tOWaT'
I centralizatiou--that II encroaches upoi
y the rights ofthe states and the liberties o
g the people.
A q. what do You think OF the question
e Of the public debtH
: A. | do not agree with that class o
= American statesmen who claim that
) public debt Is public blessing thinl
that II is a public curse, and that j
J should be paid of and discharged as sooI
las IL natures, or as soon thereafter al
possible. There has already been an I'm
mense stealage from the people by the
manipulations OF the public debt
, When the debt was refunded hun
stolen by the forms of Law
from the people and were placed in the
pockets Of the bondholders. The Demo
cratic party then, In minority in con-
gress, fought this Ubiquitous measure and
denounced 1t as a crime against the
people, and as nothing bnt legalized
stealing. However, as the bonds have
been refunded by the actions OF the repre-
sentatiyes Of the people, and as they have
largely been disposed of aud passed into
the hands OF innocent purchasers, It is
now In my judgment too late 20 20 be-
bind that transaction. am, therefore, in
favor OF paying them off according to
their face value as rapidly as possible,
and am opposed TO any more reiunding.
z What do you think OF the railroad
question:
\. That is question of the greatest
Importance and difficulty. 1t Is worthy
OF the most profound consideration. There
is too much IN II for men to come to
nasty conclusions or TO express them
selves rashly about 1t. 1t puzzles the
minds of our best aud wisest men. To
De candid with you, l am not prepared
10 say Just what exact plan would be
best. can say, however, that I regard
railroads AZ public highways, and that as
such they are fairly subject to legislative
control. They carry the commerce be- !
tween the states, and therefore congress, |
under the constitution of the United |
states, ought to regulate them. II the |
constitution of the United States is not |
sullicently full TO enable congress TO pass
legislation necessary to protect the rights
OF the people, then | am in favor of
amending the constitution and giving CON
5ress the necessary power. | believe
mat railroads should be fairly dealt with
/ properly managed they are a
great blessing TO the people. But
IN the other hand, as railroad
corporations are the creatures of the law
or the public good, / think IL Is but ,
AR and right that they should be under
he supervision of the law, to the end {
nat they may not practice grinding ex q
ctlons upon the people or gross Injustice a
o their employees. | have not now [
either have | ever had any connection 1
'lth the railroads either one way or the
Their. am friendly toward them. But c
also believe that they should be strictly q
ontrolled by law.
q Is there any other public question o
which you have given your attention? a
a. Yes l have looked with alarm r,
pom the growing power claimed and ok. 81
cisco by the federal judiciary. II is 7
'adually but surely encroachng upon CT
le rights OF the states and of the people. d
ID unless promptly checked the federal q
'urts VIII soon become the courts III
the country and will exercise el
'spQtlc power. the power which they ID
Nv boldly claim and attempt TO main. OF
In is Inconsistent with the dignity of oil
II state courts, the rights Of the states tn
ia the liberties Of the people As at d
esent constituted they are usurping Or
most universal jurisdiction and are
aiming despotic powers. The law ia
ould be so amended as that their iuris- fo
ction Will be confined within certain AZ
nlted and wel-deiined boundaries ca
he right OF trial by jures and OF appeals
ould be enlarged. The Judges should m
prohlolteu from expressing any opin- If
as to the guilt or innocence of a pris- d.
er placed upon tlal. lie should also ii,
promoted from charging upon the mi
lsht OF the evidence and from sum wi
ng up the testimony, All Of these no
crying evils. He should simply tic
'e the Jury the law Of the case, and wi
~ let them determine the fact as TO the on
llt or innocence of the prisoner. II di,
American people are capable OF self wi
they are certainly capable plt
passing unon the guilt or innocence of il
2 poor unfortunate who may be placed an
On trial without any assistance from sh,
Judge, except charge as to the law DO
the case. ! am also in favor Of the re-. sill
u or amendment of cur laws with in
erence to the transfer OF civil cases or,
m our state to the federal courts. AS
law now stands, great injustice.
ong ana oppression is pracilced upon me
people, ho,
( turning from national to state ques- Pc
osi what do YOU think OF the reported
OF the Farmers alliance and
knights OF Labor for the purpose OF
agoni1ing the Democratic party? Il
i. do not believe there is any such ne,
for any such purpose. Both tai
.hese organizations profess to be non. We,
ltical In their character and they both be
claim any intention to make II.
upon any party. As many GnS
our best, most intelligent and
riotic citizens belong to these organ
lions, and as we know them to be J
,hful men, we should in good faith ac- ba,
II their statements until we clearly see II
CONTRARY. think that there ia great kin
] OF unnecessary anxiety and excite all
ut being stirred up on this question. | up.
one am glad to see the farmers taking !.
Interest In public matters. No one
deeper interest IN good government
n they have. They are, as class, I
dent and conservative men 1t is not roc
y their right, but it is also theirimper ear
'e duty, one ichtheyowe TO their au-
tors, TO themselves and to their chill
N, to take an active interest in public !
tiers. think that they can be as ON,
ely trusted to act with good intentions et
from pure motives as can any other No
SIS of our DeODlp | lOok nnnn thar, W