Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1891-06-19
WITH SUPPLEMENT.
A Constitution Which Checks ENTERPRISE.

adopted, it Is greatly to be apprehende,
that the marvellous stride toward wealtl
end prosperity which have marked tin,
last decade of the history t our noun
famous regions, will wholly cease, or a
least be confied within the narrow circle
of those companies already established
under the existing law. The wealth OF
the mountains is almost fabulous, but il
lies dormant. The touch If capital only
can awake it-an amount OF capital, too
which is practically beyond the control
of perhaps the richest man in Kentucky
The recognition of this plain fact has
led to the organization of modern corpo.
rations, and rendered possible their grea,
achievements and rapidly crystalizing
results. The extent OF such achieve
ments works no injury to the public SO
long as the end attained is reached
through legitimate channels. In ply
sizes il is the aggregation of elements OF
power which accelerates motion in war
the aggregation of individuals which
makes an army; in morals the aggrega-
ton OF virtues which gives tone and ele'
walton to society; in numbers the ag-
gregation OF units which makes millions
In American politics the same idea has
formed its expression in the patriotic
sentiment, 'In union there is strength. :"
1t may, therefore, be assumed that when
there is an undertaking OF such gigan-
tic enterprise as the opening and devel.
opment OF a country whose hidden
wealth consists largely OF deeply en-
boweled minerals, there must be an ag-
gregation of capital to accomplish the
best results. That system OF legislation
which leaves capital untrampeled, save
by those general laws which restrain all
beings, natural and artificial, from over
leaping proper bounds, and suffers il to
seek those channels in which productive
industry receives its highest reward, is
surely the wisest and the best. Why, it
may be well asked, should corporation
engaged in the business of a common
carrier be forbidden to open and work a
mine as an incident to its business =?
What principle of common right does it
violate? What rule of political econo.
my does il infringe? Shall we be told
that there is already too great tenden-
cy toward the amassing OF fortunes by
corporations?
Suppose the tendency is this way.
There is no harm in the mere acquisi-
ton of money. The wrong is to be
found in the improper use OF money
after it is accumulated, or it may be
found in vicious system OF legislation
which compels one member of the COM
munity to pay tribute to another. Let
such vicious legislation be withheld, or
let the improper use be restrained-re-
strained, il need be, by severely penal
laws-but let the accumulation, pro-
noted by honest means and active in
dustry, go on Each individual in life
strives to reach a similar end. He
works, he studies, he economies 10
make fortune for himself and for those
Of his blood and lineage. If he succeed,
b. is esteemed according to the measure
of his success. He is despised only by
those who have themselves either vast
ed their patrimony, neglected their OPP
portunties, OF spent their lives expecto
rating tobacco juice under the shade OF
tree. That successful effort which is
applauded when put forth by one man
may surely be tolerated when put forth |
by two who have united their money |
and combined their industry. But the |
proposed constitution does not see the |
matter in this light. II declares that no
corporation engaged in the business OF a
rectly own, manage, operate or engage |
in any other business than that of com
mon carrier or hold, own, lease or ac-
quire, directly or indirectly, mines, fac
tories, timber or lands except such as
shall be necessary 20 carry on its BUSH
ness
three things strike us. First, it would
be prolific source of litigation. The
phrase except such as shall be neces-
sary to carry on its business" may or
may not take the sting out OF the tail OF
the bee ii there is a sting there. We
have witnessed in this country for near
ly century the political confusion
growing out OF the Indebtedness of the
general welfare" clause OF tue constitu-
ton of the L. ;. 1t has bred more
strife, given rise to more rancorous party
difference than ANY other phase Of the
constitution. But this exception to the
2lSth section OF propose constitution, for
yagueness and uncertainty of interpre-
tation, for difficulty of application
doubly discounts general welfare" In
the first place, as the clause stands and
of any supplemental leg
sIation il the question which NAV arise