The San Francisco call., 1897-09-07
Governor AItgeld Pays
His Respects to the
Corporations.
They Are Held Responsible
for All the Workingman's
Grievances.
Reviews the Big Coal Strike and
Vigorously Denounces Gov
ernment by Injunction.

GoYeTnor Jonn L. Altgeld OF Illinois al
dressed an audience of about 1000 people
ut Wa Shington Park to-day. His subject
was Municipal and Government Owner
ship and Government by Injunction"
The event which brought the ex-Gov-
ernor here was the Labor day celebration
by the United Labor League OF this city.
President Ernest Kreft occupied the chair
and made the opening address. He then
introduced Mr.. Altgeld, who began as
follows:
Aside from the financial question the mos t
serious problem that confronts the people Of
America to-day is til at of rescuilg their cities,
their States and the Federal Government, in
clndng the Federal judiciary, from absolute
control OF corporate monopoly-now to restore
the voice OF the citizen in the government OF
his country, and how TO put an end to those
proceedings in some OF the higher courts
which are d farce and a mockery on one side
and criminal usurpation aud oppression on
the other.
Corporations that we're to be servants and
begged the privilege OF supplying cities with
conveniences or o. serving the country at
large have become masters.
We have had thirty years OF colorless poll
tics, in which both Oh the political parties
were simply conyemences for organized greed.
There was nothing 10 arouse the desp, SUM-
Dsring patriotism of the masses, and q race OF
politicians ca me 10 the front, many of whom
sttion and then waited to be seduced. They
were men who made every promise TO the la
borer and then betrayed him. THESE men be-
came the instruments through which the cor
porations worked. Having learned what vast
sums can be extorted from the American peo-
pie the monopolies used part OF the wealth
they got from this source to corrupt the peo-
pies representatives, and thus Obtained un-
limited privileges OF plunder, until every
great city in this country is tied and gagged
and cannot even enter protest while being
robbed.
All OF this falls with crushing force on the
laborer, for his hands must earn :he taxes
the landlord pays-he is forced TO depend on
the public conveuiences, and always suffers
under bad government
An individual rarely has interest enough, or
money enough, 10 bribe city council or bny
a Legislature. But the corporations have
both, end as the money all comes of the pub
lie they offer temptations that are too strong
i0r average NEIL to resist
Inasmuch as no Govern ment can endure in
which corrupt greed not only makes the laws,
but decides who shall construe them, many OF
our best citizens are beginning TO despair OF
the republic.
In advocating municipal and Govern
meht ownership as q relief for many OF
the ills of la bor, the Governor showed the
great success OF experiments in this line
in nearly all the large cities OF Europe.
Coming down TO the coal-miners' strike,
he said that the ordinary operator was not
res ponsIble for the deplorabe conditions
when had led TO il, but The responsibility
rested on the Rockeiellers, the Carnegies
and others of inordinate wealth. who had
set such low figures by reducing wages
that smaller competitors were compelled
to follow. Continuing, he said:
Already in 1894 the mining population had
been reduced to state OF misery and degra-
daton. The miner could not educate his
children, he could not respectfully clothe his
wife and in many cases he could not furnish
he Ia falf thQr DC
tion was already so bad that it could not be
made much worse, and that he had nothing 10
lose by striking; but, although the struggle
was protracted and bitter, no substantial good
came of ii. Since that time the conditions
have been getting steadily worse, and finally
in spirit OF desperation, only lhree years
alter the last destructive strike, the miners of
this country struck again-struck agains; hun
ger and ruek against nakcdness-and they
have again made all honorable and heroic
struggle to improve their condition.
Considering the great poverty to which they
were reduced, the fact that there was no hops
for themselves or their children, that they
were slowly passing into slavery that was
worse Than chattel slavery, for the new mas
ters refused To feed. or clothe, or bury them,
as the Old masters of negro slavery had done;
considering these things the conduct of the
miners in maintaining The law, in keeping the
peace, has been OF a character to arouse the
admiration oil mankind. No assembly OF mi.
lionaires or OF corporation agents ever SUBJ
mitted to such suffering, even displayed
such huge patriotism or nobility OF character.
After condemning the new methods OF
government by injunction he concluded:
But ii the people do not rise in their man.
hood and stand for the principles of eternal
Justice then all Is lost
This is Labor day throughout the United
States, and many beautiful things will be SAID
about the dignity of labor. but want 10 say
to you that If our Government is not rescued
from corruption, and If the snaky form of gov
ernment by Injunction i not crushed, then it
would have been better tor your children if
thev had ne YER hpen horn