Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-03-29
THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE.

vested capital than in Montana. Recog-
nizing the need of great wealth in the de-
velopment of the magnificent mineral re-
sources of this state, Montanians have
extended to capitalists every considera-
ton which liberal laws could afford. In
giving this encouragement they have
done right. for it has led up to the crea-
ton of great enterprises that would have
been impossible a narrow prejudices
controlled our people.
While the people have profitted from
the general growth and development of
the state, incident to the liberal induce
ments offered capital for investment I'M
der our laws, the capitalists have in turn
reaped a harvest. But no jealousies have
grown out of the situation. Without the
impeachment of restrictive laws that
other states, large investors in the pro-
ductive mineral belts of Montana have
grown rich and powerful. Yet none of our
citizens regret the environments tina
mad this a possibility. for it is the cur
rent belief among men that the prosper
ity of one is 70 some extent at least the
prosperity Of all.
1t is not within their legitimate field of
effort in the production or creation of
wealth that combinations of capital pro-
woke the hostility of the people. We're
this not true the infancy of a corporation
would not be carefully nursed by the law
making generosity of a people who could
crush it with a blow. 1t is only when a
corporation steps outside it's proper
sphere. and attempts to override the peo.
pie who have made it's strength a posi-
bility. that a reaction takes place in the
public mind.
When a corporation attairs to such a
measurement of greed that it is not sat
isfied with generous concessions on the
part of the people, but invades the halls
of legislation with the corroding power
Of wealth to purchase laws of a vicious
character, and enters the domain of poll
in an effort to control the courts. the
citizens of a great state have a right to
rise in Judgment against it. In no other
way can a state protect itself from ruin.
Nevada is a conspicuous example Of
what a state may become when the adj
n~linistrative, legislative and judicial
branches Of the government surrender to
the Influences of a corporation. With min
aral nowhere eXcelled, with
every promise of a magnificent statehood.
a gem g~lstening upon the heaving bosom
of the great west, Nevada went down to
ruin. From the the control of
the state passed from the hands of the
people into those of a corporation the
light of it's life went out.
Men of brains and push and energy and
enterprise will not locate in a common
wealth like Nevada, neither will such
men remain within its borders. Aside
from those connected with corporate in
f~uences, in one form or another, no man
can hope for a future in the state of Ne
vada. Independent citizenship has been
relegated to the past, and the coyotes and
mountain wolves hold nightly revel in
the streets of her once prosperous viii
lagos.
Self respecting men who find it possible
The resources of that state are abund-
ant, but the common people have nc
voice in the concerns of the common
wealth, and the rotten borough is left to
the corporations that control it.
-
1t is not at all likely hat the people OF
Montana will permit this state to fall
completely under the influences that have
ruined Nevada. But to prevent such a
catastrophe no patriotic citizen can af-
ford to be Indifferent to the trend OF
events. There is no Disgusting the fact
that the liberal treatment heretofore &C