Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-01-11
GOVERNOR ALTGELp



Springfield. ILL.,, Jan i0.--The bl.cn-
Mai message Of Governor Altgeld, sent
to the general assembly today. is
document of nearly 10000 words. The
governor devoles much space TO re-
view OF tho condition OF state institu-
tons, and makes numerous recon-
mendations.
Among other things he takes up the
question OF capital punishment, and
asks whether the death penalty does
any substantial good
The revenue system In the state Is
declared. IN its practical workings, to
be q giant OF injustice. The governor
urges legislation especially looking 10
the proper assessment of corporations
Coming 10 the settlement of labor
troubles, tho governor says the aues-
ton OF dealing with them IL difficult
one, but there is no dlfnculty In the
way OF making compulsory lnvestiga-
ton IN every case. and this alone would
be great preventative. ms well as a
corrective. The governor strongly urgeu
legislation on this subject, and also to
prevent laborers being brought into the
state by squads to displace an equal
number, who, being suddenly thrown
out. become u public charge.
Taking up the question OF the great
strike. he says the placing OF United
states troops ON duty In Chicago under
AHo NOHNlliuNs lHNl tNlHttu 1NtatukS n
question OF the most fnr-rcaching i'm
porthnce. The old doctrine OF state
rights, says the governor. is In no way
involved. The great civil war settled
that we shall not have anarchy. II
remains 20 be settled whether we shall
be destroyed by dcspotism. II the
president can at his pleasure in the first
instance send troops into any city, town
OF hamlet in the country, under the
pretcnse of enforcing some law, his
Judgment being the sole criterion, there
can be no difference whatever IN this
respect between tho powers of tho
president and those of Emperor William
or the czar Of Rusaia. 1t IN matter OF
special regret to many OF our patriotic
clu2enB, says the governor, that this
blow against free institutions should
haVo been struck by the president
placed in power by party that mndo
local solt-government their cardinal
principle FOR more than a century.
Government by inJunctons" Is dealt
with severely by the governor. who
says the usurpatlon OF power ON tho
part OF the federal judiciary mas a.
sumed n form whore It a. destroying
the very foundations of republican goy-
eminent a marked feature OF the age.
says the governor. has been consoll-
dalton. As they grow more powerful
these trusts get beyond the control OF
government. Prompted by the instinct
OF self preservation, the loborcrs OF the
country are trying TO form combine
tlons. The trust mngnaies are op-
posed to this. and the federal courts.
that have been the special guardians
of corporations and combinations, seem
determined to crush labor orgnniza-
tons. In recent years constitutions
accm to become an unsurmountable
barrier to every measure Intended for
1ta. nat - .l.IN-
most plainly expressed provisions for
the protection OF the liberty and per-
sonal right of the citizens arc blown
away with II breath This subscryi-
ency on the part of the federal judicI-
AIRY when dealing with corporations
followed by the usurpation OF power
when dealing with men who have to
earn their bread by the sweat OF their
brows, IL not calculated to produce re-
| spect for tho law or It's machinery II
these conditions are TO continue Tho fate
/ of the American laborer Is sealed He
| mus be reduced TO the lowest condl-
| lions OF existence, and this must de-
stroy that very capital which Is now
| pushing him down. for with the de-
sttuction OF the purchasing power OF
! American labor, VIII disappear our
great American market Further, this
| process must produce discomfort. dis
| turhanco and hatred and win greatly
/ Increase the expenses OF tho govern
| mcnt and consequently taxed Rus
| sanizing government Is expensive
| business. mad never yet succeeded not
| even In Russia, our government is not
| I'm the slightest danger from anarchy.
| our danger comes from that corrnp-
| tlon, usurpation, insolence and oppres-
sion that 10 hand In hand with the
vast concentration OF wealth held
by unscrupulous men, and Il behooves
every friend OF republican institutions
to give these things most serious con-