The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-03-09

When we read the debates in the consti-
tutional convention, we find that those
who opposed mOnarichal ideas and Ham
iltonian theories OF government were in
the majority, and declared undying OPP
position to all forms Of monopoly. They
took the position that a natural mono
poly should never be allowed to go into
private hands; that business which
was natural monopoly was monopoly
at birth, and that therefore no one could
honestly claim to oppose monopolies If
he favored putting such a business into
private hands. The result OF that dis
cussion, and Of the patriotic foresight Of
the founders of our government. was
that every instrument of commerce. as
then existing, was made public func-
ton.
Did not the fathers declare undying OPP
position to banks of issue? Did they
provide that the government should is
sue all money, the first great instrument
OF cOmmerce2
The second instrument of commerce
transDortation-at that time was the
dirt roads-the kings highways
our lakes, rivers and other navigable
waters. Did not the fathers provide.
with jealous care, that the rivers and
other navigable waters should be public
highways not be owned and con-
trolled by private syndicates, but should
be kept open and navigable
at public expense, and used on
equal terms by everyone? Since that
time inventive genius has made the
steel rails supercede. as a vital instru-
ment Of commerce, the old cart and wag-
on ruts. If it was important that the old
dirt roads should be public highways,
public good. free to all alike. then is It
not hundredfold more important that
this new. improved instrument Of COM
merce, this modern means Of transporta-
operated in like manner?
Go read and debate over the PROPOSE
ton to establish postof1ce system and
operate it as public function. Did not
our fathers take the ground that this,
being natural monopoly, should never
go into private hands. but should be
operated by the government as a public
function for the public good?
Now. every argument that controlled
our wise and patriotic forefathers In
dealing with the instruments Of COM
merce. and providing against the birth
and growth of monopolies and trusts. at
that time. should control us today in
dealing with the instruments Of COM
merce in their present form-the mail
system improved by electricity, the iron
highways, and the circulating volume OF
money.
Take these great natural monopolies
which are the three vital instruments of
commerce. from private hands, and use
them Gas the fathers did) as public fun
ctions. and we remove at once the three
most powerful and dangerous trusts-the
trust on money. the trust on transporta-
ton. and the trust on news. We do
more; by removing the control of these
natural monopolies. which in private
hands are the parent trusts. we remove
the causes that produce the aggregation
of monster industrial trusts that today
threaten the institutions of the republic.
Therefore If we wish to deliver our GOV
eminent and our Industrial system from
the deadly clutches of the monster trusts,
rect our mistakes. and boldly take the
same action that the fathers did with
reference to these great natural monopO-
lies. In short, our fatal error has been
In departing from the doctrines of JEFF
fersonian democracy. Apply to present
conditions the principles of Jeffersonian
democracy and the constitutional remedy
above pointed out, and we shall have the
three great instruments Of commerce
money, transportation. and the trans
mission of intelligence their modern
form, operated as public functions at
cost, without discrimination against any,
and with equal opportunities to all.
Thus the one vital. comprehensive and
paramount question confronting our peo-
pie today Is this: Shall we have a gov
eminent by the foreign gold trust and Its
allied monopolies, which have captured
our instruments of commerce, with the
Industrial trusts of which these are the
parents-a government of the trusts, by
the trusts and for the trusts; or shall
we, by establishing the principles Of
Jeffersonian Democracy, under which the
instruments of commerce must be used
as public functions, break the power Of
these Industrial demons which are de-
vouring us and re-enthrone a govern
ment Of the people. by the people, and for
the people?
Let this be done, and then the causes
that produce trusts will be removed; let
this be done, and then every trust In
existence will vanish as fog before the
rising sun. Let this be done and then
equal opportunities for every individual
and every Independent business enter