The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-12

IL.
man, and monopoly win wither away.
But how can this reform be brought
about? Only by the ballot. Only by
the organization of a great political
power independent of party, indepen-
dent of party bosses, strong enough to
drive from public life the tools of mo-
nopolies and trusts and put in their
places men prompted by impulses for
the public welfare. When you have
done this the rest will be easy. When
senatorial chambers, into executive
chairs and upon judicial benches the
right kind of men, how long will mo-
nopoIy last? Not long
But how can this power be created?
Only by creating a non-partisan organi-
zation in every voting precinct of this
nation. 1t must be an organization in
terfering with no mans politicS-So
that every Republican, every Democrat
every Populist, every Prohibitionist, ev-
cry reformer who is opposed to monop-
olies and trusts can organize in their
respective counties and townships
pledging themselves to vote against a
candidate who can be controlled by
this corrupt corporate power. And as,
by magic, there is a power created
greater than the power of corporate
money in our public life: Yes, that
power of the ballot intelligentIy and
courageously used is the only power
which can save our institutions from
disaster.
"At the close of the civil war, when
for four long years the perpetuity of
our institutions of government had been
hanging in the balance. when doubt and
dread had hung over the land like a
pail, the man whose birth we commem-
crate today, that great patriot and
statesman, Abraham Lincoln offered
these words of warning to his country
men: AS a result of the war, corpora
tfons have become enthroned and an
era of corruption in high places will
foil vf7a <1,f,
country will endeavor to prolong it's
reign by working upon the prejudices OF
the people until all wealth is aggrega-
ted in a few hands and the Republic de-
stroyed.'
He said further, mark the words of
this great man: I feel at this moment
more anxiety for the safety of my coun-
try than ever before, even in the midst
of war. God grant that my suspicious
may prove grOundleSs.
But Lincoln's suspicious were not
groundless. Already the destructive
and corrupt influences of corporate
power have almost done their deadly
work They are shattering the founda-
tions of the Republic.
But here and there and yonder, in
every state of the Republic the rescuers,
the heroes and leaders are gathering.
The patriotic impulses of the people are
being aroused and that power is q
power Omnipotent- Upon that power we
must depend for the work that is be-
fore US.
And now my friends let us show by
our words and deeds that we are moved
and prompted by lofty impulses and
patriotic desires; that we are capable
of raising ourselves above partisan pre-
judiceS and personal ambitions.
And now, my friends, into your care
and keeping is consigned this move
ment for the deliyerance of the people
from the curse of 1nonopolies and trusts.
and may the God above US direct and
guide you Alright.
For of what avail,
Is land and life.
Or plow or sale,
If freedom fail?'"
Mayor Harrison welcomed the dele
gates on behalf of the city. He de-
nounced trusts in general, as dangerous
and threatening the integrity of the na-
ton. The time had come, he said, to do
away with trusts. Already, he contin-
ued the senate of the United States had
been reduced to a small convention of
the owners and representatives of the
trusts. A few years more would see the
house and our judiciary reduced to the
some condition. In conclusion, he called
on the delegates to educate the people
to elect a legislative body to give force
to whatever scheme they decided upon
for the abolition of monopolies, and the
election of an executive with enough
patriotism to enforce the laws formula
ted
Former Judge Prentiss of Illinois was
elected temporary chairman and ad-
dressed the convention.
Franklin H. Wentworth of Chicago
was selected temporary secretary.
VICE PRESIDENTS.
The following were appointed tenn
porary vice presidents: Ex-Governor
Altgeld of Illinois, John Crosby, New
York; Richard Dalton, Kansas; Tom
L. johnson, Ohio; Judge Tulley, Chi
| cago; Gen. Warner, Ohio; Judge Clegg,
louisiana; E. r. Ridgely and Jerry
Simpson, Kansas; Rev. DR.. Slade, Illi-
nois; F. Van Voorhees,, Indiana; Gov
ernor Lee, South Dakota
On the motion of Governor Weaver of
Iowa the chair appointed chairmen
from each state on the following com
mitteeS:
Programme, permanent organization,
resolutions. ways and means, national
organization rules
The most important work of the con-
ference will fall on the resolutions COM
mittee which is made up as follows:
Louis F. Post of Illinois. W. ]. Abb
bOtt, Michigan; NJ. L. Lockwood, Penn
sylvania; Prof. Wills. Kansas; w. D.
P Bliss, Colorado; Gen. J. B. Weaver,
Iowa; ]. S Crosby, New York; George
Fred Williams, Massachusetts; Tom l.
Johnson, Ohio; Henry F. George, jr.,
New York; Richard Dalton, Kansas;
Jerry Simpson, Kansas; Congressman
Sulzer, New York; c. A. Stockwell,
Minnesota; Charles A Towne, Mime
sofa; Judge J. C. Clegg, Louisiana;
| Joseph Shakley, Pennsylvania; Cover
nor Lee, South Dakota; John z. White
South Dakota: Sam Jones, Toledo; Ig-
natius Donnelly. Minnesota Frank S
Monett, Ohio; A. P. McQuiIk, Iowa; w
B. Fleming, Kentucky; Prof J.. r.
| Commons New York: c. B. Matthews
New York: George H. Shibley, New
| York; Milton Park, Texas; DR.. George
H Sherman, Michigan; T. ]. Cole. In
diana; Garret Droffers of South Da-
/ kota university.
John P. AltgeId. Illinois; E w Bemis
New York; E. W. Buckner, Clarence
Darrow, Chicago.
The committee on national organiza
tion, next in importance to that on res
olutions, follows: M. L. Lockwood
Pennsylvania; c. B. Matthews, New
| York; J. r. Sovereign, Arkansas; Judge
1 CIegg, Louisiana; E. Q. Norton, Ala
bama: H. B. Mart New York; Tom L
Johnson, Ohio; c. T. Bride, Ohio; Georg,
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