The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-17

atiph has upl III the past ana Is not at
tempting now TO monopolize any branch of
industry or a branch of any article of mer-
chandise; and, third. providing for that
publicity which everybody has spoken of,
and about which everybody agrees. Sup
pose that is done. Who is here 10 say that
such law would be unconstitutional?
People Would Amend IL.
But suppose the law is passed and is
held unconstitutional, then We can amend
the constitution. The gentleman suggests
that 1t is a difficult thing TO get two
thirds of both houses TO favor amendment
and three-fourths of the states. That IS
true, 1t is a difficult thing, but If the peo-
pie want 10 destroy the trusts, you can
get two-thirds of both houses and three
fourths of the state. But what is the al
tentative? Sit down and do nothing? AL
low them to trample upon you and ride
rough-shod over you and then thank God
that yiu stll have some life left? Is thai
the only remedy?
The American people are entitled to the
best that there is. (Applause) They are
entitled to the best system on every sub
ject. I believe when these questions are
presented to the American people they
will select and secure the best system I
do not believe 1t necessary for us to sit
down quietly and permit a great aggre-
cation of wealth to strange every compel
itor / do not believe that it is i'm ac-
cordance with our dignity as people, or
IN accordance with the rights of the peo-
pie to say, because a great corporation is
organized that therefore. 1t should be per
mitted to go into the field of a new cor
poration, undersell it until IT bankrupts Il,
raising the money by higher prices some
where else. l do not think It is 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 Il. If
think of that will improve Il, suggest 1t.
l am anxious to accept anything.
They Control Elections.
Let me suggest one other thing that
believe will he a step in the right direc-
ton. The great trouble has been that
while our platforms denounce corpora
tons, corporations control the elections
and place under obligation to them the
men who are elected to enforce the law
Applause) Let me propose remedy
not a remedy, but a step, | think In the
right direction. Let the laws, state and
national make it a penal offense for any
corporation to contribute to the campaign
fund of any political party. Continued
cheers and applause) Nebraska has such
a law, passed two years ago Tennessee
has such law, passed two
years ago. Such a law was passed, or
was introduced in the state of New York
of actual law in the state of New York.
Uaughter) Now l believe it Is a step in
the right direction.
You remember the testimony taken be-
fore 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 1t contributed, replied
that 1t depended upon circumstances. TO
which fund do you contribute in Massachu-
setts?' 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 said We'll,
will have to look to the books that is a
doubtful state Continued laughter and
applause) Now that is almost a literal re-
production of the testimony of
one great corporation on the subject of
campaign contribution.
Il do not mean to say that that remedy
will be a complete one, but believe that
when you prevent a corporation from con-
trIbuting to campaign funds that you take
a step in the right direction toward better
legislation, 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 a cor
poration from contributing that did want
to contribute.
IF the people are i'm earnest they can
do 1t and you never can do anything in
this country until the people are In earn
est. When the American people under
stand what the monopoly question means
I believe that there will be no power. po-
litcal, financial or otherwise 10 prevent
the people from taking possession of every
branch of government from President to
the Supreme Court, and making a govern
ment responsible to the peoples will.
(Cheers)
Mr.. COcIrnn's Reply.
At the COLLISION Of Col. Bryan's address.
Bourke Cochran arose and started to speak
from his seat in the hall, but i'm response
10 cheering and calls to take the platform
he did So
Mr. Cochran agreed with much Mr..
Bryan had said: IF there be a monopoly
that Expresses" He continued: II be-
leve there is no constitutional limitation,
there is no provision of government, there
is no power on earth against these peo-
pie redressing the wrong when IL becomes
a wrong"
The question was whether such a wrong
exists, and If so, where? He contended
that much of the opposition to the trusts
was idle and meaningless noise. Times
were good and there was little to complain
about. Competition was TO be urged, some
one must succeed and no limitations could
be put upon II. AS well attempt 10 limit
the competition in intellect as In the in
dustries and Mr. Bryan himself was a
good illustration of the fact that compe-
tition could not suppress intellect. Hence
he urged that much of the evil in monop-
oes was fanciful,
IF we realize for the moment that this
Is an age of improvement; that the CON
ditions of men are growing better and
better, we ought 10 hesitate awhile before
we change and take the side that may be
for one of fanciful experiments"
Mr. Cochran spoke earnestly in support
of trades unions, predicting that the time
would come when employers would urge
such unions In order to afford facilities
for discussion of perplexing problems in
labor.
Cannot Charge Undue Prices.
He contended that no monopoly could
charge undue prices and live without gov
eminent favor, as competition was certain
to spring up. There was no way to make
a permanent monopoly except by excel
lence Of service He urged full publicity
regarding the operations of all corpora
lions With a law to that end passed he
believed strikes would soon become impos-