Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1905-12-07
Equal Rights for All.

problem prove difficult when approached.
But the underlying principles, the root
principles, in accordance with which the
problem must be solved are entirely SIM
pie. We can get justice n right dealing
only IL we put as of paramount impor-
lance the principle of treating a man on
his worth as a man rather than with
to his social position, bis occu-
patton, or the class to which he belongs.
There are selfish n brutal men in all
ranks of life. If they are capitalists
their s%elishness and brutality may take
the form of hard indifference to suffer-
ing, greedy disregard of every moral re-
straint which interferes with the accum-
ulation of wealth, and cold-blooded ex-
p~loitation of the weak; or, if they are
laborers, the form of ~laziness, of sullen
envy of the more fortunate, and of will
ingness to perform deeds of murderous
violence. Such conduct is just as repre-
hensible In one case as in the other, and
all honest and farseeing men should Join
in warning against it wherever it be-
comes manifest. Individual capitalist and
wage worker, corporation and
union, are alike entitled to the protec-
ton of the law, and must alike obey the
law.
The Insurance Scandal.
On the subject of life insurance the presi-
tent says recent events have emphasized
the Importance of early action looking to a
solution of the subject of some sort of con-
troll that will furnish better safeguards
than the several states nave been able to
furnish against corruption of the fragrant
KIM which has been exposed, and in this
connection he continues:
There is need of a ~stricter and uni
fnrv1a rnott1ottnn nf tho NPacr n G ~ ~ ~ m
interests of this country. The United
States should in this respect follow the
policy of other nations by providing
adequate national supervision of com
mercial interests which are clearly ma
tional in character. My predecessors
have repeatedly recognized that the
foreign business of these companies is
an important part of our foreign COM
mercial relations. During the admin
istrations of Presidents Cleveland,
Harrison and Mckinley the state de-
partment exercised it's influence,
through diplomatic channels, to pre-
vent unjust discrimination by foreign
countries against American insurance
companies. These negotiations Illus
trated the propriety of the congress
recognizing the national character of
insurance, for in the absence of fed
eral legislation the state department
could only give expression to the
wishes of the authorities of the several
states, whose policy vas ineffective
through want of uniformity.
l repeat my previous recommended
ton that the congress should also con
slider whether the federal government
has any power or owes any duty with
respect to domestic transactions in in
surance of an interstate character.
That state supervision has proved in
adequate is generally conceded. The
burden upon insurance companies, and
therefore their policy holders, of con-
hicting regulations of many states, is
unquestioned, while but little effective
check is imposed upon my able and
INSCRIPTIONS man who desires to ex-
plot the company in his own interest
at the expense of the policy holders
and of the public. The inability of a
state to regulate effectively insurance
corporations created under the laws of
other states and transacting the larger
part of their business elsewhere is
also clear. AS a remedy for this evil
of conflicting. ineffective, and yet bur-
densome regulations there has been
for many years a widespread demand
for federal supervision. The congress
has already recognized that interstate
insurance may be a proper subject for
federal legislation, for in creating the
bureau of corporations it authorized
it to publish and supply useful in
formation concerning interstate cor
porations, Including corporations en-
gagged in insurance" 1t is obvious
that if the compilation of statistics be
the limit of the federal power, it is
wholly ineffective to regulate this
form of commercial intercourse be-
tween the states. and as the insurance
business has outgrown in magnitude
the possibility of adequate state SUI
perviSion, the congress should care
fully consider whether further legisla-
ton can be had. What is said bow
applies with equal force to fraterna,
and benevolent organizations which
contract for life insurance.
Under the subject of national revenues
the president makes a plea for the enact
ment of reciprocal arrangements between
this and other countries, but does not ask
for any tariff legislation at the present
time. In the same connection he asks fol
economy in appropriations.
Business Methods in Departments.
On the subject of graft in the severa
government departments hat have beer
under investigation he says:
At various times 1 have instituted
Investigations into the organization
n conduct of the business Of the ex
ecutive departments. While none O
these inquiries have yet progressed
far enough to warrant final conclu
sions, they have already confirmed
and emphasized the general impress
sion hat the organization of the de
partments is often faulty in principle
and wasteful in results, while man.
of their business methods are anti
quated and inefficient. There is ever.
reason why our executive govern
mental machinery should be at leas
as well planned, economical an,
efficient as the best machinery of tn
great business organizations, which a
present is not the case. To make
so Is a task of complex detail and es
sentially executive in it's nature; prob
ably no legislative body, no matte
how wise and able could undertake l
with reasonable prospect of success
I recommend that the congress con
slider this subject with a view to pro
vide by legislation for the transfer
distribution, consolidation and assign
ment of duties and executive organiza
lions or parts of organizations, an
for the changes in business methods
within or between the several depart
ments, that will best promote tn
economy, efficiency and high characte
of the government work.
Federal Elections.
On the subject of federal elections he rec
ommends hat it be made unlawful for pc
litical parties to receive campaign cor
tributions from the corporations, and ais
that it be made unlawful for corporation
to give such contributions, and in this cor
nection he says:
Contributions by corporations to an
purpose should be forbidden by law
directors should not be permitted
use stockholders money for such pur
poses; and, moreover, a prohibition 6
this kind would be, as far as it wen
an effective method of stopping tn
evils aimed at in corrupt practice
acts. Not only should both the ma
tional and the several state legisla
lures forbid any officer of a corpora
ton from using the money Of the col
poration in or about any election, BIT
they should also forbid such use {
money in connection with any legisla