Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-06-15
CELEBRATION IS
GREAT SUCCESS
Continued from page u

Continued from page u
trolling all forms of corporate mo-
nopoly President Roosevelt. respond
ing to the will of the people, has
earnestly urged congress and the SEN
ate to give us the railroad rate con-
troll bill. This measure, if it becomes
a law as it passed the senate, will
doubtless give the people relief, but
it cannot cure the evil. It is step
in the right direction. step leading
TO governmental ownership. the only
real cure for the evils resulting from
this particulai branch of corporate
monopoly. We can not however, if we
would and we would not if we could
destroy and obiterate corporate
wealth. 1t is here to stay and We
should reconcile ourselves to this un-
alterable situation. Wealth is essen
tial to the development and pros
perity of our country, and when prop
erly controlled. can be made to serve
a useful purpose. but when its own
ers are permitted to prey at will upon
the masses of the people. specializing,
as is often done. upon the very nee
esstes of life. liberty to acquire it
becomes license to plumber and op
press.
Il would not. therefore. be under
stood as advocating policy that
would take away from the citizen the
right to acquire property, for to do so.
would. in my Judgment, destroy our
incentive for industry and frusality.
But, if the issue comes, as seems in
eyitable, whether property rights shall
be held to be more sacred. and above
the personal rights Of the citizen.
then. We must unquestionaDly declare
for the latter There has been. for
years, an ever increasing tendency
upon the part Of the aristocratic, to
place the dollar above the man-to
hold that property rights are superior
to individual or personal rights and
upon this pernicous theory the latter
have, too often. been Disseminated
against in the administration of our
laws.
We must insist that the right of
the citizen shall be made paramount
10 the right OF The corporation. That
all monopoly, which is of necessity a
monopoly. shall become a public mo
nopoy.'
The administration OF affairs iii
some of the states with reference to
labor. especially in Colorado ana Ida
no, was discussed and the arrest Of
Meyer. Haywood and Pettibone was
denounced in strong terms.
Some Remedies Suggested.
In concluding his address. Mr.. Scott
described some measures that he
deemed necessary for the benefit of
all classes OF citizens, and especially
the worllingmen. as follows
q. A federal statute making it q
felony for the employment of child
labor.
-. We should have a similar stat
ute prohibiting what is known as The
blacklist.
s. The power of our courts should
be so restricted. by legislation, thai
any future attempts at government
by injunction would prove futile.
Il. We should declare for the
adoption of a national antitrust law
providing, when necessary. for GOV
ernmental supervision and control OF
all trusts. and making all of the Off
GERS and directors of such institution
individually answerable for all viola
tons of the law and subject to Grim.
inal prosecution.
.. We should demand the destruc
ton of graft in all of its forms in both
governmental and business life.
80. We should declare for and in.
sist upon the enactment of an initia.
tive and referendum law referring all
important legislation to a direct vote
OF the people, making 1t possible for
the people to remove bad men from
office and to initiate legislation by pc
tition.
- We should demand an amend
ment to the federal constitution per.
hitting the placing of a direct tax
upon incomes, graduating the tax in
proportion to the amount of the in
come, and providing for the eXpendi
ture of the funds so raised in the es
adjustment of public highways. anf
irrigation projects thus giving EN-
ploHment to the great army of tn,
unemployed.
Now my friends, | have not at
tempted TO cover the field in thi
brief summary of needed legislation
contenting myself by touching upol
a few of the most salient points a.
they occurred to me- In the brie
/ time that | have had to devote t
a consideration of the subject as vel
as to discuss it upon this occasion.
have not been able to cover thu
ground as | should have liked 10 have
done had | possessed the ability anG
had the time at my disposal. But, be
fore closing. | desire to say parting
word RI the Wactarn E,odaratiop nj