Gilpin observer., 1905-05-11

right, and, as believe, the duty of con-
ferring those powers upon some execu.
tive body. 1t cannot confer them upon
any court, nor can 1t take away the
courts power to interfere IL the law is
administered in way that amounts to
confiscation of property.
The Great Corporations.
"Of course it would be possible to
come much short of such confiscation
and yet do great damage. perhaps ir-
reparable damage to the great corpora
tions engaged in interstate commerce.
We must remember always that most
of the men who are responsible for the
management of these great corpora
tions, and who have profited thereby
have made their fortunes not as Incl
dental to damaging but to beneft!ng
the community as whole. We must
be careful that nothing is done that
would jeopardiZe their industries as
that would therefore work harm of
the most far-reaching kind not only to
all from the humblest to the highest
engaged in these industries but to the
business community as a whole. We
must be careful to sc that the law is
administered with sanity and conser-
vatism.
But the power must exist. in my
judgment, if justice is to be done as
between the public and the common
carrier, in some governmental execu-
tive tribunal, not only to fix rates and
alter them when they are convinced
that existing rates do injustice, but to
see that the rate thus fixed goes into
effect practically at once. That is i'm
portant to certain individuals as to
certain industries. and it is important
to certain communities. l do not in
the least ascribe it to any moral culp-
ability of the men engaged in handling
these great corporations that they can
not see some of the bad effects of GER
tain things they do. 1t is most natural
for man who is trying TO carry on
his business in competition with some
other business to think that whatever
he does that would best his competitor
is a pretty good thing for the COM
munity at large; and often l do not
blame him for what he does, but l in
tend to prevent his doing it.
The Private Car Question.
IT cannot attempt to speak in detail
of all that should be put into the law
as hope it will be enacted at the next
session of the national Congress. Not
only should this power of rates go in,
but in my belief we should at the same
time deal with the private car ques-
ton, which as regards certain indus
tries offers an even greater menace
than is offered by the present system
of fixing rates.
Il do not think that the law will
have to deal with many subjects. but
| do feel that with the two l have men,
toned and with perhaps one or two
others it should deal effectively. There
will be the argument made on the
other side, doubtless the argument be-
ing made in their own minds by GER
tain of my hearers, that such power is
liable to abuse. OF course it is. The
power Of taxation is liable to grave
abuse, and yet it must exist. In the
appropriate legislative body you cannot
get any needed power given to the rep
resentatives Of the people without ex-
posing yourselves to the danger of that
power being abused. There must be
the possibility of abuse or there can
not be the possibility of effective
use"
The address was received with
hearty and long continued applause.
The Governors Speech.
In introducing Governor Mcdonald.
Chief Justice Gabbert made a very fe-
licitous speech. He said the governor
and Colonel Stapleton had been asked
to join the President on his bear hunt,
but both had refused, the latter owing
to the fact that the cowboys had issued
q ukase against newspaper men. Gov
ernor Mcdonald was introduced as q
man who has grown up with the West
ern country and man Of deserved
popularity.
Governor McDonalds speech was de-
voted principally to forcible presen-
tation of the climate, resources and
needs OF Colorado. At the same time
he paid a handsome tribute to Prest
dent Roosevelt.
Mayor Speer's Speech.
Introducing Mayor Speer, Toastmas-
ter Gabbert alluded to him as 1.-The man
who does things" He said the mayor
is interested in beautifying the city
and that Denver has an abiding faith
in Mayor Speer.
Mayor. Speer spoke eloquently of the
history. enterprise and manifest des-
tiny of Denver. In closing. he said:
Mr.. President, Denver is proud to
entertain you and wants you to remem'
ber that ut all times you have her best
wishes, kind words, good thoughts.
Great applause)
Senator Patterson's Address.
The introduction Of Senator Patter-
son by Toastmaster Gabbert was some
what longer than that of the others.
He spoke in playful manner of some
of the senator's hobbies. particularly
regarding the manner in which lis
newspapers are to be considered. He
introduced the speaker with the re.
mark that nobody could more grace
fully or elouuentlY sneak TO the tonst,