The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-08
MEN SEEN AS BROTHERS
Chief Justice of Kansas Says
We Should Live
With Each Other, Not OFF of
Each Other
As We Do Now-Prof Bemis, Who so
Offended Mr.. Rockefeller, in
the Same Vein.

Two rather remarkable addresses,
both in the same vein ended the annu-
al meeting of the Kansas State Alli-
ance here. They were by Professor
Bemis OF the State Agricultural col
lege and Chief Justice Doster Of the
supreme court.
"Co-operation'' was the theme of
Judge Doster's remarks. He defined it
as an association of two or more per
sons for the purpose of advancing mu-
tual interests TT seems to be the or
der of the day. he said, among those
who desire to accomplish something Of
personal advantage. Tt is often estl-
mated as socialism by those VINO IN
weigh against socialism, for the purpose
Of casting odiuIn on the latter.
He suggested that cooperation IS
smallest business copartnership, fra
ternaI and mutual insurance compa-
mics, Although the element of proht IS
not apparent in fraternalism.
"A state or nation" he said, lis the
coming together of the people on pO-
1itical and public policies. People are
born into the state, and become mem
bers of the cooperative plan of gov
eminent. There is no subject of hu-
man interest which is not cooperative
1t is the law of our world. We cannot
exist except as members of some such
plan or method. ASSociatiOn-cO-O opera
ton, is the law of the universe
Civilization is nothing but evolution
along lines of associated and cO-Opera-
tive effort in politics and business.
When we look over the world we dis
cover rivalries between these assOciat-
ed bodies.
There is now little competition be-
tween individuals because of the great
advantages of association. The COM
peting bodies of associations have
usurped the field of the individual. In
recent years these bodies have become
very. powerful. They have the brains,
Intelligence, forcefulness and master
fuIness of the age Formerly they
were small Now they are great syn
dicateS formed for every conceivable
purpose, involving the most gigantic
schemes imaginable.
''Co-operation and combination are
nothing new except in the form which
they have assumed in recent years.
ITO what extent and for what pur-
pose and what shall be the regulations
for men who thus associate themselves
together, is the great question of the
day, and not easy to answer.
Some proceed upon the theory that
might is right. devotion to this
principle would involve the world in
fratricidal strife. It would proclaim
strife as the natural order of things.
Nothing can be more abhorrent to me
than this idea Ever since civilization
began the tendency has been, an ex-
pansfOn and unfolding towards fra6er-
nifty, cooperation and association. He
who proclaims the opposite would have
the world retrace its steps and go back
1IO4n the SAnlSIL Oh the CIVILIZATION
which we enjoy to barbarism. The
tendency has also demanded a settled
order of things, a closer association.
wider organization, fraternalism and
cooperation. These principles cannot
be realized unless we enlarge our IDEAS
II am not ready to proclaim myself a
communist if that means the public
ownership of everything, yet am in
favor of eliminating, one after another,
varied individual interests and making
these matters of more public concern.
the future. We had best claim
less as individuals and yield over
more matters of supposed pri-
vate concern, to public manage
ment. Our government is a political
communism. We are living in trans
ItonaI period; in q time prophetic of
change. God wills that we should live
with each other and not off of each
other. We should draw nearer and
not stand apart. In this manner we
viii eventually solve these important
problems and our civilization will pass
to the high plane for which it was des-
tined"
The subject of Professor Bemis' ad-
dress was fMOnDpOlies."
He introduced his address by defining
a monopoly. He said:
a monopoly is an industry that is to
some extent independent of cOmpeti-
ton. Tt is the tendency of the age and
we can hardly resist its development in
many lines but must rather expect to
regulate or own the industry through
the state or national government, as
circumstances demand.
TT is not a case of a personal fight
with many of these monOpOlies which
are not doing different from what we
would do if we were in their places.
Monopoly is a power which if not
regulated is liable to become irrepressi-
BILE and subject to greater abuses.
There are many varieties of mOnop-
oily, for example, legal ones, such as
patents and our patent laws, need
amending. In fact I sometimes believe
it might prove advantageous, were all
of our patent laws repealed, although
they have done so much to stimulate
inventions, but SO great are the abuses
in which some of these protected mon
opolies indulge In case the patented
article proves to be of vital Importance.
like the telephone, there should be some
way of public purchase.
There are mOnopolies also of public
conveniences, such as the telegraph
telephone, and express business, where
it is more of q, convenience to the peo-
pie to have all persons reached by the
same corporation, thereby enabling the
easy transaction of business. But
these monopo lies are of such routine
nature, that abuses would be so easily
seen under public ownership that the