The advocate., 1897-10-27

poor, they may be in moderate circum-
stances, or they may have secured a
competency. Relative conditions may
change in day, but "a mans a man for
a that" Let the people respect them
selves, guard jealOusly their own rights,
and be willing to accord to others the
same privileges they ask for themselves.
Lewiston Journal: The people of Con-
neCtiCut voted upon a proposed amend
ment to the constitution of their State,
which reads; Every person shall be
able to read in the English language any
article Of the constitution or any Sec
ton Of the statutes of this State before
being admitted an elector." All the
States are fast getting into line, with
education as test Of citizenship. Illit-
eracy is the bane of all nations, but Of
republics especially. II we rule out illit.
crate immigrants and forbid illiterate
citizens, we shall be in fair way to run
down the political boss whose power is
based on the illiterate ballot. If it be
not urged that the illiterates most need
protection, we concur, but they will be
protected best by the quiCkened con-
sciOusness Of the penalties Of illiteracy,
which will tend to arrest illiteracy, and
by the promotion of general education
and social cOmpunction in the great body
of citizens.
Chicago Journal: Michigan's Supreme
court has rendered decision in the case
Of Smith VS.. the Lake Shore & Michigan
Southern Railway Company, which gives
sweeping recognition of the rights of the
people, through their Legislatures, to
Interfere in the business of corporations,
which are the peoples creatures. The
Michigan Legislature passed an act COM
pelling railroads to issue a 1,OOO-mile
family ticket for $40, and the act was
on the ground that a previous
act fixing maximum fares exhausted the
Legislatures power. The decision de-
clares the principle, established by a
long line of preCedents, that the owner
of property dedicated to public use has
not vested right to use it precisely as
that owner may choose Hence, the peo-
pies power is not limited by such right.
The principle is not new, but at time
when public corporations seem to grow
more and more greedy, it is refreshing
to find such frank and fiat declaration
Of 1t.
The American: Mr. Bryan might well
extend the field of his advice beyond
New York. There are many Democrats
growing lukewarm on silver, who indeed
have abandoned it, and need a vigorous
prodding to get them back into line
Many such Democrats put the question
aside on the plea that it is not a State
)r municipal issue But not to stop again
over this question, Mr.. Bryan has in
sisted, when he has shown his hand
that the silver issue should not be ig-
lored in either State or municipal con-
tests. He would do well for himself if
ne would broaden himself out, not rest
content with insisting that the silver
issue should be given prominence, and
insist that other issues, peculiarly of
interest, and quite part and
parcel of the reforms needed to free our
people from the oppression of monopoly,
should be given equal prominence. We
'efer to public ownership of public fran
chises The nominal giving away of
-heSe franchises is now one OF the most
fruitful sources of the corruption OF mu-
1ieipal legislative bodies, which 10 an