The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-10-08
AN 1NpEFENs1BLE PROPOSITION

 The Democratic State Convention of New York did excellentiy weli in the main, but we cannot see how Democrats can endorse the portion of the platform demanding Government ownership of the coal mines. It reads. in part:
 We advocate the national ownership and operation of the anthracite coal mines by the exercIse of the right of eminent domain with just compensation to own CTS Ninety per cent or the anthracite coal deposits, of the world being in the State of Pennsylvania, national owner ship can be but in the interest of the whole people. '..
 or more years ago, of such plank as that in a Democratic platform? It would have been denounced from one end of the country to the other as the rankest kind of paternalism, socialism and tyranny. And they further declare that fuel, like water, being a public necessity we advo- cate national ownership and operation of the mines,'' etc.
 It is true that the plank we have quot ed looks directly to the mines of Pennsyl- venia. but that only makes it more objec- tionable, for it is an attack on one State. but will apply generally. If the Govern ment can take control and ownership of the coal lands of Pennsylvania why not of Alabama, or any other State? And why should 1t take the coal lands and not the iron lands, or any other. for that matter?
 If this deliverance was only intended as a bit of gallery play, 1t Is in exceedingly bad taste, and was only intended as a blum directed at the strikers and opera tors of the mining regions. If it was in- tended as an earnest expression or de- mand. then 1t is not only in bad taste but is as dangerous as it is undemocratic.
 We are aware that in recent years there have been some very liberal constructions given the Federal Constitution and our Government has assumed and exercised the right to do great many things not dreamed of before the war between the States. but this is a step forward for which we can see no excuse or defence. It would not have sounded so strange coming from Republican convention, for that party is almost unlimitedly latitudi- marian in everything pertaining to the powers of the general government, but the language sounds strange when used by Democrats.
 We are not unmindful of the fact that the Government may exercise unusual and practically unlimited authority in cases where 1t is necessary for the good or stability of the Government itself. In case the postal service is delayed or hin- dered, or the business of interstate com merce interfered with, or Federal prop erty endangered, the Government may send troops to restore and preserve or der. And, in order to obtain sites for Federal buildings and the like, the Gov-' ernment may exercise its right and power of eminent domain and take possession of the property on paying just and req sonable compensation to the owners. Our own State laws recognize that right. and we do not know that it is anywhere se- riously disputed.
 And so, if our Government needed coal for its war vessels. or to carry on govern mental work of any kind. and could not buy it in the ordinary way we can un- derstand how 1t could assume temporary
 control of the mines and take out what
 coal it needed, paying the owners for the
 same as in case of other private property
 taken for public use.
 But if this New York deliverance means
 anything. it means that the Federal Gov ernment may practically confscate all the coal lands in tho United States by
 paying just compensation" whatever that may be. to the owners. The propo- sition is monstrous.