The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1905-10-27
REFORM, NOT REVOLUTION.

From Wall Street Journal.
Even the most superficial observer
Of current conditions cannot fail to
have been impressed by the fact that
great movement is taking place in
this country, a movement that cannot
fail to have an influence upon the lives
and destinies Of the millions Of Amer
lean people through generations to
come. Speaking of the question Of
railway rates, one Of the most emil
nent statesmen Of our time. said only
few months ago, that the problem OF
what would be the attitude Of the
government toward the great cOrpOr-
atoms transcribed in Importance all
other questions Of domestic policy,
and would affect the lives Of genera
lions yet unborn. And he added that
this was a moral, not a mere fiscal,
question. Yet the problem Of rail-
way rates is merely one phase Of that
movement which IS sweeping across
the country.
Everywhere, in every section, and
through every class and condition Of
men, there is apparent a great social
unrest. This has manifested itself
in many ways It shows itself in one
place in an Outburst OF socialism in its
most extreme form It manifests it
bitter complaint against existing con-
ditiOns- It shows itself in another in
almost an agOnized demand for larger
| liberty and opportunity. Here IL is
a crusade against the trusts There
il is a movement against the railroads.
Here It is an investigation OF life in
surance There it is an effort for a
state refinery in opposition 10 the pc
! trOleum trust.
But while this manifestation takes
different forms, the essence OF il IS
the same everywhere. It is a great
popular movement in the direction Of
larger liberty, wider democracy, in
creased opportunities, an equal
chance, a square deal, a stricter ODE
dience to law, a more comprehensive
publicity, and a higher standard Of
accountability on the part Of the di-
rectOrs and trustees Of the invested
wealth OF the country.
We cannot believe that this move
ment will result in an overthrow Of
the principle OF cooperation and
combination which has served so
largely to reduce the waste Of cOmpe-
titiOn by keeping il under better con-
troll. and to increase the facilities for
business by aggregating capital, de-
creasing the costs Of production and
improving the facilities for transpor-
tatiOn- The movement does not ap-
pear to US to be an anti-corpOratiOn
movement; it does not aim at the de-
structiOn of the stock company or the
banks. 1t does not seek the over
throw Of the fnancier and promoter.
It does not mean death to the trusts"
Nor do we believe that il will neces-
sarily result in any widespread expert
ment in government ownership. The
benefits Of organization and COncen-
tratiOn in business are too manifest
and they have accomplished too much
| for the development Of this country
to be discarded now. There is indeed
a great increase IN sOcialistic senti-
ment in this country, but this is not a
nation Of socialists. We have too
much material prosperity for any
| movement which seeks to tear down
| the great structure Of business enter
prise which has been reared in this
country to be successful. Indeed we
] believe that the corporation, the rail-
road, and even the trusts will be
/ stronger in the end for the movement
| which is now taking place. They viii
I be stronger because they will be bet
/ ter protected
The very reforms which are now so
/ vigorously demanded by the people
/ TOT the purpose OF 8eLLluB TlQ OF Lne
/ inequalities, the oppression and the
| graft attending the conduct OF the
| great business enterprises viii when
| accomplished serve TO protect the cor
4 pOrations and the financial interests
| controlling them from the assaults Of
/ radical socialism and the hatred Of
I wealth II the present ethical revival
/ had not taken place. il there had been
/ no Investigations OF corruption, IL
| there had been no disclosures Of
/ wrong doing, II there had been no ef-
I fort made TO secure larger publicity
| and government supervision il in g
/ word things had gone on in the
| crowded way in which they have been
moving 50 rapidly. there would IN
questiOnably have been grave danger
Il OF socialism. The great movement
/ which Is now taking place is OF the
i nature OF reform rather than OF reyO-
i luton 1t means taking the great eco
l nomic mechanism invented by modern
/ business and charging It with the
/ moral electricity Of honesty, equality
/ and faithful observance Of law.
Bulk oysters at the c. E. swarts