The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-25
THE NERKAskAIDEA.

The Democrats, POpulists and the hand
full Of silver Republicans yet remaining
Of the state OF Nebraska got together the
other day in convention and formulated
a platform which. it is given ont. was
written by lion. William J. Bryan. on
the subject OF trusts the platform says:
The industrial trusts. springing up on
every hand, testify TO the admins ration
Indifference 20 monopoly, or its INABILITY
20 cope with IL.
We denounce the failure Of the admin
istration TO enforce the present Law
against trusts or 90 recommend new laws.
A. the pres mt law IS deemed insufficient.
We are opposed to the principle of
monopoly wherever 10 manfeSts itself We
demand the enforcement OF the present
Federal law, the enactment Of such new
legislation as may be necessary and con
sttutional amendment if the present con
stitution IS construed 90 protect trusts T.
the end that the mOnopollzation OF in
dustry by private corporations may oe alb
solutely prevented. Every trust rests upon
corporation and every corporation Is
a creature of laws. The law. state and
national, mus, place upon the corpora
tions such limitations and restrictions as
viii protect the pubic from injury.
Here is q proposition from these
fuslonists of the West. an Of whom are
Populists no matter by what name desig-
mated. to rip up the Fundamental Jaw
Of this country SO as 20 take out Of the
control Of the Individual States the power
TO regulate their own internal affairs and
SO surrender this cherished right to the
Federal government. They propose in
short, that AN corporations In the country
shall be regulated by Congress
Under such q system a corporation
operating in Virginia would be response
bic for IT'S acts, not 20 the Legislature Of
Virginia but to the Congress of the United
States. II any number of citizens decided
10 organize a company I'm Richmond 10
carry on the street car business. these
citizens would apply for their charter un-
der this proposed change not TO tho
Legislature Of Virginia but 10 the Federal
Congress, and Congress would say how
the affairs OF the Richmond street car
company should Doe conducted.
VIII the people of the South vote for
such a measure as This? VIII the Demo
Gratis of Virginia Join hands with the
Populists of the West in putting this re-
striction upon themselves? Never so long
as genuine Southern blood runs in the
veins OF the Southern people The people
Of this section fought for four years 20
maintain the great principle of state
sovereignty. and while they were beaten
down by overwhelming numbers and
made to surrender their arms. they never
surrendered this great principle ard they
never will They DO not intend that with
their consent the Federal government
shall interfere IN the internal affairs of
the states They DO not intend that with
Their consent Congress shall have the
right TO regulate private business in the
States. The people of the S5uth believe
IN local self government and they will
fight for 1t in the future as they have
fought for It in the past.
Isn't it about time for the people OF
Virginia TO open their eyes TO the true
political situation? Isn't +, about time
for them 10 see that there is nothing in
common between Virginia Democrats ana
Nebraska Pop0lists?