Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-07-05

Va. t<1s t-c Lex 1lthks ic~A
Dy year tie ground niust Dc prepared |
and year py year sae scsi sown "a Of |
der that the harvest might surely DC
expected. We have the promise OF the
holy scriptures that seed TINE and hAr-
yest shAI not fail With every season
comes the pest4lsns weeds, And TIE
mind sad body OF the cyerwEousnI
hasbaadman flnds full exesclse n tue
care and protection or the earth : glad
crop. 50 II - with liberty for which
our fathers fought, suffered and en-
dured from Bunker Hill - YORKTOWN
WITH the trials znd d.sAsters that lay
between those stern events Win
peace and Independence there are ever
new trials, new dangers 70 be met, not
50 much from foreign kings and mar
snaled armies a. from the rank growth
of evils domestic, which, like the weeds
that endanxer your crops, threaten the
safety OF our tree Institutions
lCneers.
We nave seen within the lifetime OF
TIE present generation an increase OF
corporate ROVER and wealth more
amazing than anything IN history. In
our day has come the wondrous deyel-
0pment Of the steamship, the railroad
and the subtle forces of electricity from
the still, small voice of the telegraph,
which - heard around the globe<bo
the surprising gloriss of the el6gkrlc
hght and the first beginnings. the I'M
known capabilities OF electric power.
Corporations scored.
These inventions have been exploit
ed by the consolidation OF the wealth
of many. and have served 10 clothe
with enormous riches the few who
nave been privileged to control them.
The corporations have obtained fran-
ehlsss, often OF very great value. for
lpconsldersole sums, and generally
speaking they have secured privileges
IN respect % taxation which gives them
advantages which the individual tax
payer does not possess. In some cases
these privileges are the next thing to
exemption from taxation. With ln-
crease OF power some OF those at the
head OF these corporations have en-
croached upon the rights OF the people,
and have shown disposition TO mono-
police, TO make exactlons, TO show Ia
voIitism, and thereby to usurp TO their
advantage the natural course OF busl-
ness TO degree most offensive and un-
bearable.
They not only possess enormous ag-
gregsts wealth, but some Of them are
INSCRIPTIONS In the use Of it and have
sought 70 corrupt our legislatures.
Furthermore, they employ numbers OF
men whose indifference to public ques-
tons or their desire 70 serve their
masters too often makes of tho en-
pioyes servile voters against the rights
OF tho people. We even find IA the
halls OF congress senator's and repre-
sentstves who are peculiarly the
friends Of these corporations; bound 70
them by personal interest. and 90 de-
voted that the public welfare is always
secondary when it conflicts with the
interests OF the corporations.
am proud 70 be able to say that our
Michigan railroads have been managed
by honest and conscientious men. l
know some of them personally, and /
can bear witness to their integrity,
their honor and their sense of duty to
the rights of man. The danger lies in
the system which gives latitude to IN
fair and corrupt dealings and places
such temptations IN the way of un-
scrupulous, avsricious and ambitious
men.
Menaess % Liberty
Unfortunately, in the early days, We
we're TOO lavish OF our endowments
and granted not only privileges but
lands and subscriptions of enormous
value for the sake Of development
which Improvement would bring. Let
i, be our duty to resist oil further en-
croachments and TO stand firm in
support Of the reserved rights
OF the people, as we'll as to
1 l. A. "a. t.xkx 81
and statutory requirements. [Cneere.1
There are other sources Of danger to
the rights OF the citizens. can only
advert to them. They are the growth
of large corporate monopolies dealing
in necessary articles; of gigantic trusts
to influence the prices OF commodities
and of the extension of patents.
[Cheers. In this class we may include
the useful inventions so indispensable
in our era of civilization; machines
that have widespread uses and the
like. Many patents have been ex-
tended by trickery and subterfuge. In
. general way il would be to the inter
ests Of the people TO limit the existence
OF patents to single term, without OK
tension or any pretext whatever. We
must guard against corrupting indu-
ences and the debauchery of the bal
lot. Our new system of voting 10 an
| advancement over the old form.
IL is not yet entirely perfect.
We need simplicity of method, and
such seclusion of the voter that moth
ing shall stand between him and his
conscience IN the preparation of his
ballot. lCneers. Another danger
which we must repel 10 the tendency TO
increasing the number and kind OF Of
fees and the amount of official salaries.
lCheersl There have been examples
of this IN late years sufficient to give
warning of the tendency of the times.
The people-and to this I do not OBJ
ject, because they have themselves
passed upon the question-hxve in
creased the salsries OF the governor,
the attorney general and the judges.
gavors Fair wages
Our Legislature of late years has not
been able to Withstand the appeals made
to il by otficeholders for greater pay.
| In my own county the salaries paid to
such officials as circuit court commits
sioners - much greater than contented
. few years ago our circuit judges, and
this increase has been granted by the
/ legislature. | am not of those who
think Official salaries ought to be pc
NITROUS, but / believe that the pay
should be proportioned to the service
and the requirements of office.
1 lCheers. | do not, therefore. object
ss taxpayer 10 the amount We pay
our judges, for their respective duties
are very oneorous, and they should be
/ placed above temptation. tCheers.
There are, however, classes of sub
ordinsts otficeholders in city, in
/ county and IN the state, VINO come M