The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-09-17
BOURKE COCKRAN'S MUCH HER
AIDED SpEECH.

Aided SPEECH
TIE much hera'dcd speech upon Trusts
Of w. Bourke COCHRAN. Esq. New York.
was as great "a disappointment as the
remedy for them proposed by ex-senator
Waehburn. upon which we commented
few DAYS back Indeed we look upon
Mr.. Cockran's effort very much as we
look upon the effort Of the circus clown
who dives under The horses after great
preparations made 20 leap over them.
Mr.. Cochran started out well in saying
that individual action should be as little
interfercd with by government as pos
sihlc. even when individual action takes
the form Of 5oint action with other indi-
yidnals who have just as much right 30
freedom Of action as the first Individual
has. But after stating this essentially
lust and sound proposition, Mr.. Cochran
weakened very greatly and proposed
scheme for abridsug individual action.
He agued that in spite Of the indiyid-
uals right TO perfect freedom Of action
vet when individuals operate together i'm
the form of q corporation, government
should exercise a certain control over
them and that control should consist in
an enforced publication of all their opc-
rations and affairs. When mis- pubIica-
ton is made it will be seen whether the
corporation IS making too much money
or not and if &c is then measures will Doc
taken for combining it's profits within
narrower limits.
We hear a great deal every day from
windy dcmagoguos In denunciauon of
creed and avarice We abhor a man who
has mo- thought but of himself and how
he can add to stores that he has accumu-
lated and will not diminish i'm the small
est degree upon any demand OF banevo-
lenco or charity But, at last what is the
moving principle i'm human affairs? What
IS il that sets the wheels i'm motion that
level mountains and hH mp valleys 20
turn a desert and waste land into ono of
flowers and food? 10 is the desire for
Gain. or greed if the demagoeue viii
have # So That is the motive principle
I'm an progress. and the only reason We
have a land covered with stately IMAM
sions and towering gardens instead Of one
Of bush and the Indian wigwam, is tNat
men desire wealth and have been given
q free opportunity TO acuire it, each one
according to his strength.
Now Mr. Cochran would say to men
you may acquire wealth to such q point
but am you acquire beyond that point WIN
be connscated for the public good. And
the moment ne cnacts that as law NE
places a fatal paralysis upon progress
and civilization. no man viii work earn
esty unless he is 60 enjoy the fruits of his
work. our magical development has come
from every man being free to acquire
what lie could and being then protected
in the enjoyment of what he has acquired.
one Of the stump orators at the Trust
Convention said The other day chat il was
the interest of the State to have the
wealth Of the country distributed ratably
throughout tie population. We are not
So sure of that il is the interest Of he
state 10 have an of Us population striving
M an times 20 acquire wealth. IN This
never tNNiLE rtlN-Nltf tliF hl1nN'N' Nt'tN'
energies are developed that make the
men who constitute the strength Of
State. Make them AN well-to-do and
apathy begins TO undermine energy. Ne
cessity IS the spur TO effort. and So
cioty Is healthy and sound just in pro
portion as It's individuals are striving with
an the energies of mind and body TO
reach a goal That theory of competitive
existence necessarily produces wealthy
individuals since some runners must out
strip others "An two men will ride on
horse one must ride behind We do not
believe therefore in amy social theory which
seeks TO place AN men upon a dead level
Of wei being The inequalities of life are
necessary to healthy existence.
we say therefore, 90 the demagosue
aforesaid that # is not for the interest
of the State that am men should Zee
equally wealthy. but that it is lis interest
that there should be wealthy individuals
because the only true theory of social eX-
istence must evolve such individuals.