The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-13
CRY OF ALARM.
Antitrust Convention Protests
Long and Loud
Against the Passage of the Cur
rency Bill.
CALLS IT INFAMOUS
And Its Authors a Band of Con-
spiratOrs.
People Are Urged to Thunder
Their DisapprOval.

Chicago, Feb. 13.-Judge George W.
Beeman of Indiana was the first speak
er at the antitrust conference here
called by the National Antitrust
league today. He said in part:
THE work remaining to be done is
the education of the people. The people
who are opposed to trusts do not belong
to one political party, but they belong
to all parties, and come from the labor
ing and producing classes to great ex-
tent, and it would be a grand patriotic
Initiative if the producers and Iaborers
of this country would refuse to support
any candidate for a legislative or a ju-
dicial office, who will not give his pledge
and solemn obligation to his constitu-
ency that he will not accept a pass
from any railroad or steamship line, or
will not during his term of office accept
any rebate from a trust or own any in
terest whatsoever in a trust. This mi
tiative would make it possible for the
enactment and enforcement of a law
making it a felony for any appointive
judicial officer to accept a pass or be-
come a stockholder in a trust
'The very great majority of farmers
are more interested in the prices they
obtain for their produce and the cheap
ness of the necessities of life than they
are in the acquisition of the Philippines
or a compact with England If the
farmer is to be interested in any un-
dertaking, he must be shown first that
it is to his interest, that it will make
his home more comfortable and hap
pier.
'As we leave this conference to re-
sumo the various pursuits in which we
are engaged let us make the fight
against trusts all along the line, with
our streamers floating DER US bearing
the inscription Special privileges to
none, equal rights to ALL
ATTACK CURRENCY BILL.
The following resolutions were adopt
ed and it was resolved to telegraph a
copy to members of the United States
senate:
the house of representatives a bill
known as the currency bill, which bill
IS now pending in the senate of the
United States; and
senate amendment, it is proposed
by law to extend further special and
exclusive privileges to favored classes;
and
Whereas, Said bill and amendments
if enacted into law would reIegate to
the national banks the governmental
right to issue currency, beStOW an i'm
mense bonus upon the bOndholders, give
lars to the national banks demonetize
silver and all paper money; make all
debts heretofore contracted and here
after to be contracted payable in gold
place it in the power of money holding
and money lending classes to contract
the currency at will and to possess
themselves Of the property of the peo-
pie at pleasure and in short enthrone
the money Oligarchy, establish a con-
tinental bank trust, enslave the people
and destroy the republic to the end that
free government may perish from the
earth.
Now, therefore, be 1t
Resolved, That this conference here
by utters its most solemn protest
against this most Infamous measure.
And be it further
Resolved, That the chairman of the
conference is hereby instructed to ap-
point committee Of seven members to
prepare memorial against said out
rage which shall be requested to go to
the capital of the. nation, for the pur-
pose of presenting this protest to both
houses of congress of the United States.
And be it further
Resolved, That we warn the people OF
the United States of this new menace
to their liberty and call upon them ev-
eryWhere to meet together at their
court houses and in their school houses
and other public places and thunder
their protest against the most audac-
ious, dangerous and oppressive measure
ever presented to a. legislative body by
set OF conspirators.
These resolutions were presented to
the conference by Judge Fleming of
Kentucky, when Judge Beeman finished
his speech, and were adopted by a ris-
ing vote.
RESOLUTIONS START A ROW.
Immediately after the adoption of the
Fleming resolutions A. Thornton of
New York notified the presiding officer
that he would refuse to deliver the
speech for which he was scheduled to-
0lV Thornton M to- nj
on the floor of the conference regard
ing the matter but in an interview later
explained his reasons for refusing to
take further part in the conference. Il
was assured he said, that this was
to be a non-partisan gathering. I had
that assurance over the signature of
President Lockwood of the antitrust
league, and I am certain that he does
not approve of the partisan resolution
against the currency bill
Mr.. Lockwood was not present when
the resolutions were adopted and if he
had been here, they might have met a
different fate 1 have positively re-
fused to address the conference and
will not be further identified with it
as consider that today's action makes
it partisan gathering"
MONETT FOR CHAIRMAN.
Thomas L. johnson, of Ohio, chairman
of the committee on permanent organ
ization, reported in favor of Frank S
Monetr, former attorney general of
Ohio, for permanent chairman of the
conference The following permanent
vice presidents were recommended and
approved by the conference: Alabama,
z. Deamer; Arizona, c. Ferguson: Ar
kansas J. r. Sovereign; California,
Judge J. G. Mcguire, Nathan Cole; Colo
RADIO. TN. Patterson; Connecticut. -;
| Delaware, Harold Sudell; Illinois, Judge
| Tuney, Dr. Slade, ]. P Aitgeld; Indi-
/ ana, r J. Van Vorhees; Iowa, Gen. J.
B. Weaver. J. B. Romans, Charles Bull
Ter; I6aho G. f. Moore; Kentucky, r.
B. Girett; Kansas. Jerry S:mpson. z.