The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-09-17

are elected to enforce the law. (Applause)
Let me propose a remedy-not RENE
dy, but step, 1 think In the right d.rec-
ton. Let the laws. State and National,
make &c @ penal onense for any corpora
ton 20 contribute 20 the campaign fund
of any political party. Continued cheers
and applausc)
Nebraska has such q law. passed two
years ago. Tennessee has such q law,
passed two years ago. Such a law was
passed or introduced I'm the State of New
York, but So far fl has not reached the
stage of actual law In the State of New
york NauehteD.
"Now L believe it IS step I'm the right
direction. You remember the testimony
taken before "a Senate committee a few
years ago. when the head of the Sugar
Trust testified that the Sugar Trust made
its business 90 contribute 20 campaign
funds; and when asked to which one 1t
contributed. replied that IL depended upon
circumstance. TO which fund do YOU
contribute I'm Massachusetts? was asked.
TO the Republican fund
TO which fund i'm New York; To
the Democratic fund
TO which fund I'm New Jersey and
the man says, We'll, l Will have TO look
10 the books, that is a doubtful State
Continued laughter and applause. Now
that is almost a literal reproduction Of
the testimony of one great corporation
on the subject of campaign contrib l.ion.
1 don't mean TO say that that remedy
will be q complete one, but I believe that
when you prevent corporation from
contributing TO campaign funds that YOU
take a step In the right direction toward
better legislation because some corpora
tons are compelled 20 contribute, they
are blackmaled into contributions. end
such O. law would protect "a corporation
that aid not want % contribute and also
prevent q corporation from contributing
that did want TO contribute.
RESTS WITH THE PEOPLE.
III the people are I'm earnest they can
do it, and you never could do anything
in this country until the people are in
earnest. When the American people un-
derstand what the monopoly question
means. / believe that there will be no
power political, financial or otherwise
20 prevent the people from taking pos
session Of every branch OF government
from President 90 the Supreme Court.
and making a government responsible to
the peoples will" (Cheers)
At the conclusion of Colonel Bryans
address. Bourke Cochran arose and started
10 speak from his seat i'm the hall, but
I'm response 10 cheering and calls 10 take
the platform. he did so.
Mr.. Cochran agreed with much that Mr.
Bryan had said. III there bee "A monopoly
that Expresses" he continued. 81 believe
there IS no constitutional limitation: there
is no provision of government: there is no
power on earth against the people re-
dressing the wrong when il becomes
wrong"
The question was whether such wrong
exists and. If so. where.
He cOntended that much of the oDD0si.
ton 10 the trusts was idle and meaning
less noise Times We're good and there
was little 10 complain about Competition
was TO poe urged, someone must succeed
and no limitations could be put upon it.
As well attempt 20 limit the competition
in intellect as in the industries and Mr.
Bryan himself was a good Illustration OF
the fact that competition could not sup
press intellect hence he urged that much
Of the evil I'm m0noDOlies was fancful
III we realize for moment that this
Is am age of Improvement. that the con-
iitions Of men are growing better and
better we ought 20 hesitate a while before
we change and take the side. may be for
one Of fanciful experiments"
Mr. Cochran spoke earnestly IN support
pr trades unions, predicting that the time
would come when employers would urge
such unions I'm order 20 afford facilities I
for discussion Of perpiexing problems in !
abOr. He contended that no monopoly |
could charge undue prices and live without |
government favor. az competition was |
certain 10 spring up. There was no way !
10 make n permanent monopoly except by |
excellence OF service. He urged fun pub I
icty regarding the operations OF all cor /
)OratiOns. With a law TO that end passed. !
he believed strikes viii soon be impossible 1
.Ie also believed that citizens injured by |
me collapse Of any corporation should |
AVE compensation for damages sustained. !
He closed with a protest against Mr. |
8ryan's declaration that the creation ~ |
wealth was sordid. saying that upon tho /
wealth OF the country the production Of /
verifying intellectual and moral depends.
Great cheering greeted the conclusion OF |
Mr. COcrans speech.
General discussion was then resumed.
Ex-senator Blair. Of New Hampshire and 4
William Writ Howe Of New Orleans. read /
hort papers. Soon afterward. on motion
# Congressman John W. Gaines. OF Ten
lessee, the conference passed a vote ~ |
hanks 10 the Civic Federation FOR the
ourtsey shown the visiting delegates. 4
notion TO adjourn sine die was then
assed.