The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-15

publicity, II that we're a sufficient remedy the
disease would be already cured. for we now
know all that it is possible to ascertain as to
the workings Of these giant corporations. No;
the remedy must be applied to the root OF
the evil eLecky tells us in his History of
European Morals that there was no principle.
In the Roman imperial policy more stubborn
ly upheld than the suppression of all corpo-,
rattons that might be made the nuclei of re-
volt. Every form of government worthy to
exist arrests in it's incipency anything which
tends to the overthrow Of the fundamental
principle upon which that government rests.
The foundation Of imperial government is
obedience to the mandates of the imperial
I,ower; revolt of the people is the one danger
In which such a government constantly STANDS.
Representative democracy is in no danger
from revolt it's foundation is the rule OF the
majority, and anything which tends toward
the development of an irresponsible autocracy
| is the greatest danger which could threaten
this fundamental tenet If, therefore, we are
as wise as Rome was 1000 years ago. we will
see to it that our laws. both In their enact
| ment and their enforcement, suppress such
| corporations as might be used to bring under
! one control the great industries and there3y
establish upon the ruins of democracy conf
mercial desDotism.
The Law Is Sufficient.
| It is not always necessary to rush to the
| Legislature for a remedy; the entire Dody OF
our laws, state and national, relative to poth
public and private corporations might Wen De
revised and fundamental changes made III the
light OF modern Developments; but the FOUND
atoms OF Anglo-Saxon jurisprudence nave
| been so wisely laid that the remedy Whlcn we
seek I verify believe, may be found in an
honest, vigilant and intelligent admlnlstra-
| ton OF existing laws. A careful study OF tue
decisions of the courts, both state and federai'
| hoy
fancy in asserting here tonight that II the
power of the executive department or state
! and national governments shall be 1ntelil-
gently and courageously exerted IN the eli
| forcement Of existing laws. tn modern trust
| will be destroyed and the dangers OF coln-
J merclal despotism averted. In his dlssentlhs
| opinion in the Trans Missouri Freight Asso-
! citation case, Judge Oliver P. Shiras OF Iowa
| said:
! Tn nv Judgment the right to insist upon
| free competition between railway companies
engaged in carrying interstate commerce. Is Is
| a right which belongs to the pupiic' OF "nlcn
lit cannot be deprived except by us own GU ~
| sent and every contract combination pc
! tween these public corporations which tenos
to remove the business carried ON by tenda
| to deprive the public of this right. -
| Upon the appeal of this case to the Oniteu
| States supreme court, this view was adopteu'
/ and the learned Iowa jurist received IN the
| opinion one of the highest compliments evei
| paid to a judge of an inferior court 10Y tna'
| great tribunal If this right Of free competl-
! ton belongs to the people, 1t belongs 70
| them by virtue of the fundamental prlnolp,e
| of the form of government which the people
| have adopted by virtue Of that pr1nclple
which, in the great declaration, is stated ills
an abstract truth-a principle in morals
! inhering in all people everywhere. Competl-
ton is the only commercial governor the VIII
| Of man has yet devised; it's destruction means
commercial autocracy. and IS IN denance VI
this principle; every corporation, therefore,
| which is created for that purpose, or usec
to that end, becomes conspiracy against
the fundamental principle which underlles inc
| renublic is unlawful and can be destroyed