The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-02-26

classes are beginning to feel the pressure.
One product after another is being mono
polized. The tendency is to syndicates
and trusts and combines and mOnOpol:es.
In 1890 there was law enacted designed
to restrain the formation of trusts. 1t
had no effect and never can have any eff
feet. The trust is the legitimate product
of the present industrial system. We
are rapidly approaching that condition
when there VIII be in this country two
classes, separated by very wide chasm
the few who have all the wealth and,
therefore, all the power, and the great
masses of the people who are in subjec-
ton. Call this a republic if you will but
there is not an element Of real republi-
canism in it. (Applause)
Il have said and say again there can
be no civil liberty with industrial slav-
cry. Long since we achieved our poll
tical independence, but we will not be
free until we have achieved economic
liberty. (Applause) Something is be-
ing done in that direction every day. The
theory is, according to Lincoln, in this
country we have government of and by
and for the people. He said, to use his
own language, Life before property, or
men before the dollar" We have lived
to see his words accepted literally-nOt,
however, in the way he intended. We
see the man before the dollar, but upon
his knees, crouching, supplicating' for the
dollar, and for permission to I've, and it
is only theory we have in the words of
the people, by the people and for the peo-
pie.
THANKFUL TO JUDGE WOODS.
II have to be thankful to Judge Woods
(hisses) for one thing; am thankful for
having been in Jail and to know some
thing of the condition of the inmates.
l understand now they are entitled to
our sympathy and I propose to do what
little lies in my power to correct condi-
tions under which these people are made
criminals. (Applause) Then there are
those who are placed in the extremity
of begging, but if a man is naturally
bright he will not beg. If l had the
choice between begging and stealing, l
am not certain but l would keep my self
sepect and steal. (Applause.)
"Have you ever thought of the ex-
treme humility of strong, able-bodied
man who is a supplicant for charity?
Just think of it. 1t humiliates man,
disgraces him; his self respect reserts
him. No matter how good a man he
may be when he is in that condition long
hood and he becomes an abject creature
or criminal. He is in the position that
the poet wrote about long time ago.
See yonder poor, o'erburdened wight,
So abject mean and vile,
Who begs brother of the earth
To give him leave to toll;
And see his lordly fellow worm
His poor petition spurn,
Unmindful though weeping wife
And helpless offspring mourn
If I'm designed your lordlings slave,
BY natures law designed,
Why was an independent thought
Fer planted in my mind?
'The interrogatory has not been an
swered and may not be answered. Ger
tain it is that great many of Ameri-
can workingmen are in that position
today when the opportunities are in
creasing and established in the large
centers of population, and while this is
going forward while millions are out of
work unable to find work, we have shops
and mills and factories in which women
and children toll for II and 16 hours a