The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1902-01-23

produce that which we have consumed
which are the birthright of the American
laborer. The point of view, however has
somewhat changed, and we are now feelyi
exporting not only agricultural but manu.
factured products; nnd we must look there
fore, not alone to the things we consume.
but to the things we export. Our tariff.
therefore. should always BIZ adjusted so MS
to give the greatest possible amount of
work to our own people. whether the pro
duct Of their labor be intended for nome
feel that there is little danger Of an in
vnsicn of our markets with respect to many
of the commodities we are naturally fitted
steadily nncn the chief purpose of protec.
ton viz: the EMPLOYMENT. not of Il part.
but of all the men and women of America
ciproca treaties should be examined If
We can make trade that will enlarge our
markets; that is to say. increase the amount
the trade should he made. even though
some particular industry is curtailcd in its
production. While we shall hold fast to
shippers of Il tariff schedule. Protection was
established for man. not man for protec
ton Reciprocity that takes without giving
is an idle dream and Il contradiction In
terms; and ii it's scope embraces only non
competitive products. it is of little future
value In the economy of the nation.
cannot resist the conclusion that some
changes might we'll be made. not through
the medium of reciprocal treaties. but di-
.fectly. said recently in II public address,
and repeat it, that there is one condi-
tion which the consumers of this country
will not endure. They are patriotic enough
to sec American goods sold in foreign mar
If the purpose Is to establish Il trade or to
unload an unexpected surplus: hut they will
nor tolerate. as permanent trade policy,
than they are sold at home" Ii is believed
that there are lines of industry in which
this practice ,r Is likely to become permanent,
doubt not will. declare they no longer need
the fostering csre of protective duties. In
no other way San we render justice to all
our people.
which. as | view it, cannot be successfully
dealt with until the constitution of the
United States is so amended as to give to
congress the power to make and enforce
such regulations as will he effective
throughout the whole territory of the
United States. l now desire to refer to an
nlltely he treated from the same stand
point. mean the amending controversy be-
tween the employer and the employed re-
speeding the conditions of work and the
compensation for it. 1t is altogether natural
that the employer reaches Il conclusion DIFF
ferent from that of the employee The nc
represented by the employer gives him Il
pnlpable advantage in the contest, and the
smIploye long ago discovered that associated
gnnizcd labor is as marked ana will prob
ably be as enduring as the tendency toward
these forces in society not only disturbs
the peace of Industrial pursuits, but is so
destructive that the student of affairs is
constantly looking for some plan through
which agreements fair to both sides. may
be affected. thoroughly believe that the
government must bear hand in the solu-
tion of this problem. and ] am equally
convinced that it cannot effectnally do so
until we nationalist the subject. have
no sympathy with the arraignment of our
institutions because few men have grown
very rich While the great mass of mankind
accumulatcs but little or nothing. | do not
believe that the laws Of the United States.
eral states, can be justly charged with
either thc intent or fine effect of favoring
one man or class of men at the expense
of another man or class of men. may de-
plorc the fact that wealth is not mere
evenly distributed but 1t is nevertheless
true that the startling Inequalities of life
the favor Of the government. Nature en-,
dows one man with Il genius to make and
save money. and denies it to another. This
power can no more be equalized than amy
other form of superiority in the struggle
differences which the world presents. quar-
therefore. the government could not if it
would and should not If 1T could. attempt
to reduce humanity to II common level. |
am firmly of the opinion that 1t Is worth
curbing some of the power which great
success creates. Our history makes it clear
problem of its Just distribution is ono which
will tax the strength of the best minds of
future generations. Governments are not
organized simply TO keep the peace: it is
no inconsiderably part of their function to
help those who cannot help themselves. 1t
is perfectly true that the world alwuys;
they can always exact full compensation for
what they do. 1t must not be forgotten.
however, that much the larger part of the
work of the world does not require great
intellectual strength or demand trained
minds This work must he done. and the
pay for it cannot be raised to the standard
of those who lead in the fields of industry
The government, as 1T seems to me. has
at least one duty to perform i'll this connec-
ton. 1t is vitality interested III seeing TO 1t
that the men who can never rise to that
prominence which will enable them to fully
protect themselves. shall receive that re
ward for their labor: ana shall he sur
them good citizens believe that the power
which wealth bestows ought sometimes to
he checked. and, through wise legislation
the rights of the weak and helpless more
carefully preserved.
There is another thought which is di-
rected more to the creation OF IL wholesome
to which must draw your attention. nc AZ
who honestly makes has the right to safely
keep. whether 1t be one dollar or mil
lion dollars; vet there are certain Incidents nj
OF wealth. and especially associated wealth.
which ought to receive the serious consids
their country at heart. Wealth gives to him
who owns or controls it power. for great
good and for great evil; it gives him power
70 endow schools. found libraries and re.
lieve want; but it also gives him power to
seduce and cocrce his fellow men and this
power should be most jealousy srrutinized.
Wealth and especially incorporate wealth.
has many rights; but it should always be
right to vote. Corporations have and
ought to have many privileges; but among
them is not he<privlege to sit in political
conventions or occupy seats in legislative
chambers. Corporations, as such: should be
vigorously excluded in every form from
participation in political affairs. Here at
least. the rich and the poor: ms individuals,
should meet upon plane of absolute equal
ity. The conscience and intelligence OF
the natural man must be the sole factors
In determining what our laws shall be and
who shall execute them.
At this point ! must be permitted to re-
fer specifically to one phase Of corporate
pear under the righteous indignation OF
honest mea. The professional lobbyist has
regret to say, become one of the features
of legislative assemblies; he has become d