The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-06-27
Oh His Candidacy For
the Senate.
ISSUES OF his CAMPAIGN
War ON Trusts and Election OF Senas
tori by Popular Vote the Two Plank
Upon which He Hopes 10 While
Declares His Strong Opposition OF
Industrial Combinations and Claims
the Only Proper Way tor Election OF
SENATOR 4. by Direct Vote OF People.

Chicago. June 2s.-General Russell
A Alger. secretary OF war. announced
here today that ne is in the Michigan
senatorial fight with antitrust and
Election Of Senators by Direct vo.e
OF the People" OF his banners.
The general is at present at thch home
or his daughter. Mrs. Charles Pike. sf-
ter his trip IN northern Michigan. Wis
consin and Minnesota. He gave his
platform on the heels OF its
ment by Governor Pingree. who
commented the secretary OF war. al
ways gets in ahead
1t is perhaps a little early 70 saw
that trusts and trust legislation are 10
De great factors in the coming ele--
tions," said General Alger. Other ls-
sues OF greater Importance may arise
Out, however, that may be. Il il cer-
tam that the widespread spirit OF con-
~soLldation OF great financial interests ia
an eVll which must be contenled
against leglslatively. / am 4 foe TO
these great amalgamations and believe
IN the election of senators by a. direct
vote OF the people, as Governor Plngree
states. and on these planks | Will stand.
The concentration OF wealth in
trusts is detrimental TO the interests OF
the people. 1t squeeZes the small dealer
out OF business, and, greatest OF all.
eliminates the midle-man and stiles
competition. With a certain commodi-
ty controlled by one man or ce.erie of
men they are not compelled TO seek GUS
toners. The dealer must come 10 the
trust, TAX what he can get and paw
without a murmur the price asked.
everywhere manufacturers are
meeting TO agree on increases in their
prices for articles manufactured from
raw material and monopolized by a
trust. This is noticeable in articles in
which iron and steel are used. The &c
suits OF monopoly are so apparent and
nave been SO widely discussed that fur
ther is not necessary. am
not an extremist, but the w ten
dency to absorb a certain part OF the
industries of the country into one big
that others may be frozen
out and a monopoly secured. Is a mat
ter for consideration by legislators on
penaN OF the people, who are vitality
interested.
The present system of electing sem
ators through the agency OF the legisla-
ture is one which has always had its
critics, and l believe the criticism is
Just. l think the direct vote Is the bet
ter method and, while the attainment
Of this end will doubtless take years.
it is worth laboring for. A senatorial
nght in a state legislature generally
SENDS to congress a man more the
representative of a machine than OF
the people.
The contest in Michigan for the NOM
nation Will be a fair stand-up fight.
Mr.. Mcmillan, aided, | believe. by bur
rows, viii try for denomination Gov
ernor Pingree has shown himself very
friendly to me, especially since the be-
ginning or the war. 1t is too early 10
make calculations on the strength OF
the forces which will contend. but
there will not be two republican candi-
dates IN the feld-nothing to disrupt
the party