Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-17

that there IS no water in the stock.
Second, that the evidence should
show that this corporation has not in
the past and is not attempting now TO
monopolize any branch of industry or
branch of any article OF mcrchan-
disc: and,
Third. providing for that publicity
which everybody has spoken of, and
pose that is done? Who is here to say
that such a law would be unconstitu-
I,tional?
AMEND THE CONSTITUTION.
But, suppose the law Is passed and
Is held unconstitutional, then we can
amend the constitution. The gentle
men suggests that 1t is n difficult
thing TO get two thirds of both houses
to favor amendment and three -fourths
of the States That is true, It is diff
fcult thing. but If the people want To
destroy the trusts, you can get two
thirds of both houses and thrcc-fourths
of the States. but what is the alterna-
tive? Sit down and do nothing? AL
low them 10 trample upon you and ride
rough shod over you and then thank
God that you still have some life left?
Is that the only remedy?
ENTITLED TO THE BEST.
Tho American people arc entitled
to the best that there Is. (Applause.)
They are entitled to the best system on
every subject. believe when these
questions are presented to the Ameri-
can people they will select and secure
the best system l don't believe It
necessary for us to sit down quietly
and permit n great aggregation Of
wealth to strangle every competitors.
don't believe that 1t is In accordance
with our dignity as a people. or In ac-
cordance. with the rights of the people.
to say, because a great corporation
Is organized that therefore 1t should
be permitted TO go into the field OF
new corporation. undcrsell 1t until 1t
bankrupts 1t, raising the money by
higher prices somewhere else. don't
think itis necessary for us TO do that
l have only suggested a plan. il may
not be the best plan. If you have
anything better. propose it. If there is
any amendment that you can think OF
that will improve 1t. suggest it. l
am anxious TO accept anything
THE GREAT TROUBLE.
Let me suggest one other thing that
believe will be a step In the right
direction. The great trouble has been
that while our platforms denounce cor
porations. corporations control the
elections. place under obligation to
them the men who are elected to en-
force the law. (Appause). Let me
propose remedy-not a remedy, but a
step, Think, n the mt dfrectton:~I5et=
the laws, State and National, make it
penal offence for any corporation to
contribute to the campaign fund of any
political party. Continued cheers and
applause). Nebraska has such q law,
passed two years ago; Tennessee has
such a law, passed two years ago; such
a law was passed. or was introduced. in
the State Of New York. but SO far it
mas not reached the stage Of actual law
In the State of New York. (Laughtcr).
Now. believe it is a step in The right
direction. You remember the testi-
mony taken before Senate Committee
Few years ago, when the head of the
sugar trust testified that the sugar
trust made It It's business to contribute
70 campaign funds; and when asked to
which one It contributed, replied that
1t depended upon circumstances. ITO
which fund do you contribute in Mas
sachusetts?" was asked. ITO the Re
publican fund.- 'To which fund in
New York;" ITO the Democratic
fund" ITO which fund in New Ter.
sey?" and the man says: well, I will
have to look to the books; that is a
and applause). Now, that is almost a
literal reproduction of the testimony
of one great corporation on the sub
ject of campaign contribution. don't
mean to say that that remedy will he
complete one, but believe that when
you prevent a corporation from con.
trlbuting to campaign funds that Won
take step In the right direction to-
ward better legislation, because some
corporations are compelled to contri,
butte; they are blackmailed into contrl.
buttons, and such n law would protect
a corporation that did not want to CON
tribute, and also prevent a corporation
from contributing that did want to CON
tribute.
POWER OF THE PEOPLE.
If the people are in earnest they can
do It and you never could do anything
in this country until the people are in
earnest. When the American people UNI
derstand what the monopoly question
means I believe that there will be no
power, political, financial or otherwise,
to prevent the people from taking pos
session of every branch of government
from President to the Supreme Court
and making q government responsible
to the peoples will (Cheers.)
MR.. RRyAR's FIRST SPEECH.
HE DEALS THE TRUSTS SOME
7ttI IJEAUv Ut OIxc,