The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-11-16
JOHN CUNNEEN AS A LEADER
Els Views on tho Trusts May Succeed D. B.
/ Fill.

New York Cor. Philadelphia Ledger
ne comparatively poor showing made
by the Democrats 'up the State" last
tuesday, which is claimed to have bean
due to the antagonism engendered nv
David B. Hill in his long years of no.
litical fighting, has caused a casting
about for new State leader. Now thar
the election of John Cunneen as Attor-
neyNGeneral on the Democratic and Pro-
hlbitionist ticket is conceded, that gem
tleman is being brought forward as a
possible successor to Mr.. Hill.
Mr.. Cunneen is a well-known Buffalo
lawyer, is vice-president of the New
York State Bar Association, and is ac-
counted an eloquent and effective speak
CT. Though not active in machine poll
tics, he has been making campaign
speeches since 1870, and has frequently
been delegate to State and national
conventions. He is said to have many
qualifications necessary for leader, is
a deep student of public questions, and,
moreover has a knowledge of the diplo-
matte arts of the successful politician
As Attorney General, Mr.. Cunneen will
have many opportunities to embarrass
the Republicans, if he so desires. Nearly
every bin submitted or passed must be
given to him for an opinion as to its
constitutionality, and besides being In
position to thus be fully informed con-
corning legislation, Mr.. Cunneen will
have no small amount of patronage at
his disposal. His friends, and they are
very numerous just now, say that he
will not fail to take advantage of his
opportunities of springing into the lead
ership of the party in this State.
What will be Mr. Cunneen's attitude
toward the trusts? viii he be another
Attorney General Monnett of Ohio? These
are questions much discussed in political
circles. Some are of the opinion that
in view of his party's declaration re-
specting combinations, the new Attorney
General cannot we'll avoid a vigorous
prosecution of the trusts: but Mr.. Cum
neen himself does not seem to take a
! radical view of the dangers from consoli-
dations OF capital. In the first place, he
disapproved of the Government ownership
of mines plank in the Democratic plat
form as tendency toward Socialism He
says:
when we examine into the system of
public ownership of utilities. we do not
might easily be possible for conditions
to become even less satisfactory with
The unlimited extension of patcrnalism
and the crcumspection of individual ac-
| tivities among the people"
| AS to the trusts. Mr. Cunneen says
! THE most that / can say on that sub
| ject is that I shall administer the du
ties of Attorney General as best 1 may to
promote obedience to the letter and the
spirit of the law. / may add, however.
that / do not believe there is any reason
or necessity for heroic measures in deal
| ing with economic conditions which exist
| today Great combinations of capital
have been formed to meet the expansion
Of commerce in a country which has de-
veloped remarkably within the past fifty
years Where these combinations OF
capital pursue legitimately their respec-
tive lines of activity, they are not cri-
ticised or opposed. If they evade or
break the laws and Cypress the people,
that is another matter. / am not one
of those who believe that any situation
can develop I'm this country which the
people cannot quickly change if they
want to by orderly, san and effective
processes which are already at hand.