Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-09-17
yet presented no other, thought OF that
rhyme:
a. Plunged in gulf Of deep despair,
Ye wretched sinners lie.'
(Greater laughter and applause)

yet presented no other, 1 thought of that
rhyme:
a Plunged in gulf of deep despair.
Ye wretched sinners lie.'
Greater laughter and applause)
Not Necessnrily Unconstitutional.
Il have no doubt that any remedy that
proposed would be assaulted. Now, l am
not sure the remedy 1 propose is uhcon-
stitutional. l am not sure that the consti-
tuition would prohibit such an act of con-
should say that whenever a corporation
wanted to do business outside the state
1t must apply to and receive from some
license to do business. Suppose the law
should provide as conditions upon. which
the license should be issued:
rFirst-That the evidence shall show
''Second-That the evidence should show
that this corporation has not in the past,
any branch of industry or branch OF any
article of merchandise, and.
.:Third-Providing for. that publicity
which everybody agrees. Suppose that is
done. Who is here to say that such a law
would be unconstitutional?
THE supreme court in deciding the
Knight ease did not say that broader
law than the present one would be uncon-
stitutional. 1t is true there are things in
the decision which lead to that, but until
that question is presented to the court, you
cannot say that the court has passed upon
it.
Parable of the Contented Man.
But, suppose the law is passed and Is
held unconstitutional, then we can amend
the constitution. The gentleman suggests
that it is aadifticult thing to get two-thirds
of both houses to favor amendment, and
three-fourths of the states. That is true,
1t is difficult thing, but If the people
want to destroy the trusts you can get
two-thirds of both houses and three
fourths of the states. But what is the
alternative? Sit down and do nothing?
Allow them to trample upon you and ride
roughshod over you, and then thank God
that you still have some life left? Is that
the only remedy?
4 heard of man once who had been
taught to be contented with his lot and
finally became very poor and traded off his
coat for loaf of bread. Before he had
chance to eat the bread, dog came along
and snatched it away from him. He felt
little indignant at first, but, finally, that
feeling of contentment came back to him
and, as he watched the dog turn around
away, he said Well, thank God 1 still
have my appetite left" daughter and ap-
plause0
to preach that doctrine, that we ought to
be satisfied with anything. The American
people ,a are entitled to the best that there is.
system on every subject.
Believes People VIII Act.
II believe when these questions are pre-
sented to the American people they will
select and secure the best system 1 do
not believe it necessary for us to sit down
quietly and permit great aggregation of
wealth to strangle every competitor / do
not believe that it is in accord with our
/ the right of the people to say, because a
great corporation is organized that there
fore. 1t should be permitted to go into the
| neld Of new corporation, undersell it un-
III iSin ta t,-
higher prices somewhere else. l do not
think it necessary for us to do that l
have only suggested a plan. 1t may not
be the best plan. II you have anything
| better. propose it. If there is any amend-
ment that you can think of that will i'm
prove 1t, suggest it. l am anxious to ac-
cept anything.
Let me suggest one other thing that I
believe will be a step in the right direc-
tion; The great trouble has been that
while our platforms denounce corporations,
corporations control the elections and place
under obligation to them the men who are
elected to enforce the law. (Applause.)
Corporations In Politics.
Let me propose a remedy-not a remedy,
but step, l think, in the right direction
Let the laws, state and national, make it
penal offense for any corporation to con-
tribute to the campaign fund of any polit-
1cal party. Continued cheers and ap-
plause) Nebraska has such a 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 has not reached
the stage of actual law in the state of New
York. Uaughter)
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
it its business to contribute to campaign
funds; and when asked to which one II
contributed, replied that it depended upon
tribute in Massachusetts?' was asked. TO
the Republican fund To which fund in
New York; TO the Democratic fund TO
which fund in New Jersey?' and the man
books, that is a doubtful state (Cont;n-
ued laughter and applause) Now, that is
almost literal reproduction of the testi-
mony of one great corporation on the sub
! ject of campaign contribution.
L DO not mean to say that that remedy
would be complete one. but l believe
| tnat when you prevent corporation from
| contributing to campaign funds you take a
step IN the right direction toward better
leglsiation, because some corporations are
| compelled to contribute. They are black
| mailed into contributions and such a law
would protect corporation that did not
want TO contribute and also prevent cor
| poratfon from contributing that did want
10 contribute. If the people are In earnest
| they can do 1t, You never could do any,
thing in this country until the people are
In earnest, and when the American people
! understand what the monopoly question
means, believe that there will be no pow
! er, political, financial or otherwise, to pre-
| vent the people from taking possession of
every branch of government, from presi-
cent TO the supreme court, and making
the government responsive to the people S
| Will" (Cheers and applause)
Mr.. Cockran's Reply.
AT the conclusion of Colonel Bryan's ad-
| dress, Bourke Cochran arose and started
to speak from his seat in the hall, but in
response to cheering and calls to come
| to the front" he took the platform. Mr..
| Cochran said in part:
Just one moment, while I express my
complete concurrence in much that Mr..
| Bryan has said.
IF there be a monopoly that oppresses.
| l believe that there is no constitutional
! limitation, there is no provision of govern
ment, there Is no power on earth. against
| the people redressing a wrong when it be-
comes wrong.
The question to which 1 think the at
tention of this conference should be di-
rected Is whether this kind of one exists
and where 1t is. Now. who is hurt and
| where? Where has this octopus got pos
session of somebody? On whom is it act
less that when you call an aggregation of
capital-a combination-a hydra-headed
monster-an octopus-it doesn't cast any
light upon 1t that illumines my pathway
1 can understand how the use of these
phrases can have some effect, as nothing
frightens people SO much as incompre-
hensive names daughter and applause
FROM MINISTER TO HEALER.
Remarkable Career of DR.. Hoopin-