The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-07

conservative lines. Nothing revO1u-
tionary was attempted; but a common
sense and successful effort was made
in the direction of seeing that corpora
tions are so handled as to subserve the
public good. The legislation was mod
crate. 1t was characterized throughout
corporations, but endeavoring to pro-
vide for doing away with any evil in
them; that we drew the line against
misconduct, not against wealth; gladly
recognizing the great good done by the
capitalist who alone, or in conjunction
with his fellows, does his work along
proper and legitimate lines. The pur-
pose of the legislation, which purpose
will undoubtedly be fulfilled, was to
favor such a man when he does well,
and to supervise his action only to pre-
vent him from doing i'll. Publicity can
do no harm to the honest corporation.
The only corporation that has cause to
dread it is the corporation which
shrinks from the light, and about the
welfare of such corporations we need
not be oversensitive. The work of the
department of commerce and labor has
been conditioned upon this theory, of
securing fair treatment alike for labor
and for capital.
Capital and Labor.
The consistent policy of the national
government, so far as it has power, is
to hold in check the unserupulous man,
whether employer or employee; but to
refuse to weaken individual initiative
or to hamper or cramp the industrial
development of the country. We recog-
nize that this is an era of federati
and combination, in which great capt.
talistic corporations and labor unions
have become factors of tremendous inl-
portance In all industrial centerS.
Hearty recognition is given the far
reaching, beneficent work which has
been accomplished through both corpor-
ations and unions, and the line as be-
tween different corporations, ,as between
different unions, is drawn as it is be-
tween different individuals; that is, it
is drawn on conduct, the effort being to
treat both organized capital and or
ganized labor alike; asking nothing
save that the interest of each shall be
brought into harmony with the interest
of the general public, and that the con-
duct of each shall conform to the fun
damental rules of obedience to law, of
individual freedom, and of justice and
fair dealing towards all. Whenever
either corporation, labor union, or in
dividual disregards the law or acts in
a spirit of arbitrary and tyrannous in
reference with the rights of others,
whether corporations or individuals,
then where the federal government has
jurisdiction, it will see to it that the
misconduct is stopped, paying not the
slightest heed to the position or power
of the corporation, the union or the
individual, but only to one vital fact
that is, the question whether or not the
conduct of the individual or aggregate
of individuals is in accordance with the
law of the land. Every man must be
guaranteed his liberty and his right to
do as he likes with his property or his
labor, so long as he does not infringe
the rights of others. No man is above
the law and no man is below it; nor do
we ask any mans permission when we
require him to obey it. Obedience to
the law is demanded as a right; not
asked as a favor.
We have cause as nation to be
thankful for the steps that have been
so successfully taken to put these prin-
ciples into effect. The progress has been
by evolution, not by revolution. Moth
ing radical has been done; the action
has been both moderate and resolute.
Therefore the work will stand. There
shall be no backward step. If in the
working of the laws it proves desirable
that they shall at any point be expand
ed or amplifed, the amendment can be
made as it's desirability is shown.
Meanwhile they are being administered
with judgment, but with insistence
upon obedience to them; and their need
has been emphasized in signal fashion
by the events of the past year.