St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-10-01
IN CONGRESS
Judge Wilson Continues His Work
AGAINST the Railroads.

But, as the full and perfect measure
of relief in such case could only be
afforded by congress, when l became a
member of that body introduced bill
to take away the right OF power of for
eign corporations to remove their suits
from the state courts. 8 bill essentially
the same as that by me introduced was
reported by the judiciary committee to
the house, which passed the hOuse-but
was defeated in the senate. When that
bill was before the house | made some
remarks from which may be pardoned
for quoting. said:
1t is provided in the constitution of most
of the states that every person is entitled TO
a speedy remedy in the law for all injuries
or wrongs he may suffer. This should be
the birLhright of every American citizen,
even i'll the absence of any constitutional
provision. But the modern doctrine of the
federal courts takes away this right ard de-
livers The masses of the people bound hand
and foot to the tender mercies of corpora
tons and concentrated and organized capital.
Every lawyer of extensive practice has ire
Quently seen this Let me illustrate. has
insured his property in a foreign corporation,
and the property being destroyed by fire the
insurance company refuses payment. The
assured is compelled at great expense to
bring suit in the federal court. Ordinarily
the expense of such litigation at such dis
lance from his home is a great burden and
hardship-in some cases nearly a denial of
justice. But this is only the beginning of
his calamity. An appeal may be taken by the
insurance COMPANY. if decision is adverse
to it, to the supreme court of the United
States. This delays the final decisien
about four years longer. Unless the
assured is wealthy, if he relies, as
| is ordinarily the case on the amount re-
covered from the insurance company to re-
| place his buildings or his stock, the delay Is
| simply ruin. He is therefore compelled to ac-
| cept such terms of compromise as the cor
| poration sees fit to offer. might instance
| too, the case OF life insurance, of claims for
| personal injuries against railroad companies
| of claims Oh contracts, OF Tor torts against
| foreign corporations generally, In any and
| all such cases the claimants, when the case
| is removed into the federal courts and the
| amount is sufficient to give right of appeal.
are, if not wealthy, simply at the mercy OF
| the corporation, and compelled to accept
| such terms of adjustment as may be offered
| We should here take care that the rule OF
the constitution be restored, and the rule es-
tablished by the federal courts abrogated,
and that the rights of the people be regarded
| instead of the interest OF capital. The mo-
dern rule is one of the most Objectionable
| phases of Capitalization. 1t tends and is in
| tended to magnify the officer at the expense
| of the people, the central government at the
| expense of the state, the strong at the eX-
| pense of the weak, and the rich at the ex-
| pense of the poor. The state cannot give
the needed relief; no power but congress car
give it.
There is perhaps no bill limiting the
power of foreign corporations-whe
railroad companies, insurance com
panies or other companies-to which
they are so irreconcilibly opposed az
this. OF in which the people have
deeper interest. l trust. Mr.. Chairman
that my record shows not only that
have sympathiZed with the people az
against the aggressions or improper
influences and exertions of corporate
power or centralized capital, but alst
that have to the best of my judgmen
and ability diligently and always stooC
up for their rights against all forms o
attack by sharpers and those who have
sought to grow rich by their wits at thu
expense of the people and in disregard
of justice.