The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-05-10

| people have some rights which are in
volved in this deal between Jones and
Smith-or in this case, the deal be-
tween the Northern Pacific and the
| Great Northern.
by which you mean that the people
have a right to step in and prevent
Smith from selling out to Jones?" in
| quired the Colonel.
That's exactly what l mean" de-
clared Judge Sawyer, stoutly
Where do YOU find any such doc
trine in Jefferson's teachings?" asked
Col. Monroe. Where Is the sacred
right of the people that permits them
| to interfere in a personal business mat
ter between Jones and Smith? Is it
the concern of Lincolnville if I wish
to sell you horse, two horses or a
thousand horses provided we mutually
agree on price and provided l do not
swindle you? What does Jefferson
say about that?"
This is not a question of horses. but
of corporations" asserted Judge Saw
yer, with some warmth. unfortunate
ly, or rather fortunately, l should say
there were no corporations in Jeffer-
sons time so l cannot tell you his
views on the subject. 1t is safe to as
sumo, however, that he would be IN
favor of curbing the power of sucn
combinations as are contemplated at
the present time
80 you are willing to admit that
jefferson knew little or nothing about
corporations" observed Col. Monroe.
II am bit surprised that you concede
/ the fallibility of your economic saint
on any question. Deacon Rankin was
quoting me jefferson the other day. on
automobiles. He said jefferson would
have been opposed to them. One would
think to listen to the average modern
follower of that great statesman that
Jefferson was the most ultra conserva-
tive man of his era. Instead of which
he was a radical of radicals. He new
er hesitated to destroy a precedent or
to create a new one. Do you know
what / think Thomas Jefferson would
do If this Northern Securities case, or
one of equal Importance came before
him."
Il am quite curious to hear your in
depreciation of Jcffersonianism as APP
piled TO the trust problem" said Judge
Sawyer. a shade of sarcasm in his voice
and quiet smile.
Jefferson would search and find a
solution for this great question" con-
tinued Col. Monroe, land he would not
waste one hours time studying the
theories or searching for presidents.
He would be wise enough to know that
enough to ignore theories and bold
enough to steer a course on an I'M
chartered sea. He would realize at
glance that the problem was beyond
the scope of the Constitution, that Il
was beyond the Jurisdiction of courts,
and that ii could be met only by or
ganic changes in the structure of the
government. He would recognize IN
the existing trust system of industry
and finance, not an enemy to society or
a menace to progress. but the sure
symbol of an institution destined in
some form or other to supplant that
from which ii sprang."
That is we'll enough for a generali-
cation" remarked Judge Sawyer. but
tell us what he would do"
Il can tell you what he would not
do" declared Col. Monroe, calmly
lighting a fresh cigar. He would not
wage a Quixotic war against evolution
and attempt to make those compete
who are wise enough TO combine. He
would not be 30 great dullard as 10