The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1899-09-27
proportion left when he had finished.

Smith of Texas and James b. Dill, who
had hand in the framing Of the New
Jersey trust law. 4 general discussion
followed, which resulted in both Bryan
and Bourke Cochran taking the plat
form. W. D. Foulke of Indiana made
short speech, in which he declared
that he failed to see that the remedies
proposed by Col. Bryan in the latter's
speech, during the morning session,
could result in the attainment of the
object sought for
Col. Bryan who was sitting in the
back part of the hall, arose, and, amid
cheering, started to reply. Before be
had uttered dozen words, however,
cries Of take the platform came from
all parts of the hall, and with a smile
he did so.
Il would not occupy the time again
but for the fact that the gentleman
from Indiana (Mr. Foulke)has referred
to a plan which suggested, and l am
afraid that he does not fully. under
stand. My plan was this:
First, That the State should have
the right to create whatever private
corporations the people of the State
think best.
Second, That the State has, or
should have, the right to impose such
restrictions ias congress may think
necessary upon any corporation which
does business outside of the State in
which it is organized In other words,
I would preserve to the people of the
State ali the rights they now have and
at the sane time have congress exercise
concurrent remedy to supplement the
State remedy. ] would not take away
from the people of the State any right
now existing, but | would have the fed
eral government and the State govern
ment exercise the powers that may be
necessary to apnibilate the monopoly.
Go not agree with the gentleman that
you cannot annihilate a monopoly.
(Applause l believe it is possible to
do so.
u have no doubt that any remedy
tha. is proposed will be assaulted. If
those who believe that the trust must
remaID and those who believe that the
trust means good will accept the best
remedy they can find, try it and then
accept better one, if a better one is
proposed, and keep on trying until the
people are protected. (Applause).
"Now l am not sure the remedy |
propose is unconstitutional I am not
sure that the constitution would pro-
hibit such an act of congress as su.
gest. Suppose congress should
that whenever corporation wanted .
do business outside of the State it
must apply to and receive from SC ..e
body created by congress for the pur-
pose license to do business. Suppose
the law should provide free conn is
sions upon which the license should be
issued:
First, that the evidence shall show
that there is no water in the stock.
Second, that the evidence should
show that this corporation has not in
the past and is not attempting now to
monopolize any branch of industry or
branch of any article of merchandise,
and
Third, providing for that publicity
which every body has spoken Of and
about which everybody agrees. Sup
pose that is done. Who is here to say
that such law would be unconstitu-
tional?
But suppose the law is passed and
is held unconstitutional, then ne can
amend the constitution. The gentle
man suggests that it is difficult
thing to get two-thirds of both houses
to favor amendment ana three-fourths
of the State. 1t is true, it is diff
cult 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 alterna-
tive? SIT down and do nothing? Al
low them to trample upon you and ride
rough shod over you and then thank
God that you still have some life left?
Is that the only remedy?
The American people are entitled
to the best that there is. (Applause.)
They are entitled to the best system on
every subject. I believe when these
questions are presented to the Ameri
can people they will select and secure
the best system. Idon't believe it ne
cessary for US to sit down quietly and
permit great aggregation Of wealth to
strangle every competitor. | don't be-
lieve that is in accordance with our
dignity as people, or in accordance
with the rights of the people to say
because great corporation is organized
that therefore it should be permitted to
go into the field of new corporation,
undersell it until it bankrupts it, rails
ing the money by higher prices some
where else. | don't think it is neces-
sary for US to do that. I have only
suggested plan. It may not be the
best plan. If you have anything bet
ter, propose it. If there is any amend
ment that you can think Of that will
improve it, suggest it, / am anxious to
accept anything.
Let me suggest one otner thing tnat
I believe will be step in the right d.
rection. The great trouble has been
that while our platforms den"H"ce cor
porations, corporations control the
elections and place under obligation to
them the men who are elected to en-
force the law. (Applause.) Let me
propose a remedy-not remedy, but
step, think in the right direction. Let
the laws, State and national, make it
penal ofense for any corporation to
contribute to the campaign fund of any
political party. Continued cheers and
applause Nebraska has such law,
passed two years ago. Tennessee has
such law, passed two years ago. Such
law was passed, or was introduced, in
the State Of New York, but so far it
has not reached the stage of actual law