Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-09-22

constitutional amendment is necessarily
slow one. | am also aware that there will
be difficulty in framing an amendment
which will meet the objects of the case
and yet which will secure the necessary
support.
line the proper phraseology of such an
amendment, for ! know il must come, as
a matter of agreementand discussion. But
/ firmly believe that all these obstacles
can be met If only we face Them both
with the determination to overcome them
and with the further determination to
overcome them in ways which shall not
do damage 10 the country as a whole;
which on the contrary shall further our
industrial development and shall help IN
stead of hindering all corporations which
work out their success by means that are
just and fair toward all men.
''Witheut the adoption of a constitu-
tional amendment my belief is that
good deal can be done by law.
1T is difficult to say exactly how much,
because experience has taught us that In
dealing with these subjects, where the
lines dividing the rights and duties of the
state and of the nation are in doubt. it
has sometimes been difficult for Congress
to forecast the action of the courts upon
its legislation.
such legislation whether obtainable
now, or obtanable only after constitu-
tional amendmenD should provide for a
reasonable supervision, the most promi-
nent feature of which at first should be
publicity: that is the making public both
to the governmental authorities and to
the people at large the essential facts, in
which the public is concerned.
This would give US exact knowledge
of many points which are now not only
in doubt, but the subject of fierce contro-
versy.
Moreover. the mere fact of the publ
ca ton would cure some very grave evils
for the light of day is deterrent to
wrongdoing 1t would doubtless disclose
other evils, with which, for the time be-
ing. we could devise no way to grapple.
"Finaily, it would disclose others that
could be grappled with and cured by FUR
Their legislative action. | advocate action
which the President can only advise and
which he has no power in himself to take
Under our present Legislative and con-
stitutional limitations. the national Ex-
ecutive can work only between narrow
lines in the field of action concerning
great corporations. Between those lines
| assure you that exact and even-handed
justice will be dealt, and is being dealt
to all men, without regard to persons.
Il wish to repeat with :. all H. emphasis ,t
ton should have the power l suggest, 1t
is equally desirable that it should he used
with wisdom and self-restraint
1.-THE mechanism of modern business is
tremendous in its size and completely
and ignorant intermeddling with it would
be disastrous. We should not be made
timid or daunted by the size of the prob
lems We should not fear to undertake it;
but we should undertake it with ever
present in our minds dread of the sinis-
ter spirits of rancor, ignorance and
vanity.
The marvellous prosperity we have
been enjoying for the past few years has
been due primarily to the high average
of honesty, thrift and business capacity
| among our people as whole; but some OF
it also mas been due to the agility of the
men who are the industrial leaders of the
nation
I'm securing just and fair dealing by
these men, let US remember to do them
justice in return, and this not only De-
cause it is our duty, but because it is
cur interest; not only for their sakes, but
for ours.
I'VE are neither the friend of the rich
man as such, nor the friend of the poor
man such; we are the friend of the
honest man. rich or poor; and we intend
| that all mon. rich and poor, shall obey
the law alike, and receive its protection
| alike