The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1899-09-22
Very Sensitive.

rights of the states when the subieS
Q matter Of hescontrol OF trusts ia unds
y consideration. That paper 10 quite sur
n that congress has not power:to effective
9 control the iniquitous trusts aud com
: binations that oppress lthe people, ye
|. when other matters OF legislation hAv,
been attacked by democrats Ton thu
ground that the exercise Of such power
by congress was eubversive of the re
| served rights al the states, the Oregon
Ian and republicans generally replied
with a snarl that the government OF the
United States is a nation with a big "N'
and that the states were not "in It"
since the rebellion. The truth is when
republicans want to exercise power Of
doubtful authority, they alwsys find re-
iuge un1er this plea. But when they
fear that the exercise of powers Of legis
lation will be detrimental to that party
then they excuse themselves to the peo.
pie by saying the power in question be-
longs to the states. They have restrict
ed the efforts of the states to restrain
railroad extortions by saying that con-
gress only could regulate interstate COM
merce, and this because they desired to |
protect the great railroad corporation 9.
OF the country in return for the support
such corporations gave to elect Mckinley
and republican congress. And for the
same reason republican leaders are de.
to shield aud protect the great
trust combinations OF the country for
heir support in the Mckinley cam
oaigu. And however much republican
eaders may promise to use the power OF
congress and the courts to restrain the
leartless grasp of the trusts, they do not
intend to do it. 1t would be contrary
human naturest to do 60, as that
arty owes its existing power to these J
rusts and other giant corporations, and I
hey will never smite the hand that feeds
hem. q
The Oregonisn vouchsafes TO the peo- g,
lie that sit ia urged however, that 40
to the constitution be pro-
osed to the states, which shall author n
10 and empower congress to deal with h
Of capital and corporal I
usis, and take away from the state the
hole subject Of corporations, the power
authorize their formation. and 10 reg "
ate and control their action. In some p
larters there is opinion that the repub. ~
cans in congress will press this propos-
at the commit session, so as 20 deprive
leir opponents of the political advant- "
yea they hope to gain through anti =!
ust agitation. 1t is urged as measure ba
which the republicans could point as On
9 only effective and thorough way Of 81
aling with the subject; and the demo- 90
ats would haze to acquiesce in it
ough such measure would practically
stroy state autonomy and establish q Ga ga
ghly centralized national government Tin
Or abandon the antitrust agitation Th
political issue. 1t is urged that il rel
ngress shall now promptly propose
Is amendment to the constitution, the .
party will be nonplussed on WI
ls subject next year 10 the presidential wa
ctioni since it will be compelled either Ss. e:a
fall in with the scheme or bs silent on he
D trust question" tht
Now tha Oreoonian disclosea ;,s owr list
* OF candor, 90 we'll as that of the re.
blican party in dealing with trusss {
setting forth the object to be accom- tha
0hed in the introduction into congress yea
he amendment. And what is that tim
ect? 10 it that relief may be broueh. bac
tie people? Not at ell, for that Ing
aid necessarily involve an effective re- az, az,
lint Of the trusts in their race 20 "gob. styl
up" the substance Of the people. wit
the whole object is that the demo- wal
ts may thus be deprived Of the "po- apud pudi
cal advantages they hope to gain for,
ough antitrust agitation" Are re-
Dlican readers 30 silly 80 to suppose
a moment that this scheme would 1
lie the murmurings among the peo- not
+? The OregonIan need not think az
It all its readers can be lullsd into %"I M
et by Ita assumed sensitiveness con ans
ming the rights Of the states. Some yea
hem at least nave not forgotten that pre-
than fortnight ago it boldly de-
red that "no constitution can abro- q
Q the inherent qualities Of sovereign oai
J" thus assuming that congress can on
rcise any power without regard to WI w.
stitutional restraint. Bat the public rns -
reused and they will demand that re. wal
'licans must act in good faith or SUR cee'
der their power. Saa sel
hao