The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-03-21
TlLLMAN STARTLESJSENATE.

r1LLMAN srARrLEsCsENATE.
The PitchfOrk Statesman Makes Vigorous
speech On Rate Measure.
WASHINGTON, March 15.-Sen ator
Tillman today presented the committee
report on the Hepburn bill, with re-
commend ations, to the senate. Sem
ator Tillmau made one Of the most
impressive speeches of his career.
His discussion was clear and unpre.
JUDGED. His illustrations were we'll
balanced and his comment upon the
railroad conditions throughout the
country certainly made q deep i'm
preston upon the senate as 1t will
upon the country At large. Among
the astounding facts which he brought
face to face with the senate some seem
to be hardly conceivable to the ordi.
nary mind. He said in part:
"The gross annual earnings of the
railroa ads in round numbers fs two
thousand million dollars. The net
earnings are seven hundred millions.
''Once in every year every dollar
circulated in this country passes
through the hand of the railroads.
Once in every three years every dollar
circulated in the country becomes a
part of the net earnings of the rail.
roads.
''These net earnings equal annually
the entire expenditures of the United
States government.
''It is small wonder that the most
brilliant legal minds Of the country
are retained to make explain ations, to
frame laws and secure their passage
and to exercise an overmastering in.
Auence over the judiciary and execu.
tive department OF the states and ma
tion.
"The average citizen is almost
driven to believe that the fight against
such an enormous enemy his hopeless.
The government is controlled by the
railroads. The liberties Of the people
are in jeopardy"
After commenting at length upon
what he declared to be the existing
system Of juggling with railroad pro.
perties or the robbery of the masses.
Mr.. Tiliman stated that this phase Of
the subject brings into great promi-
nence and Importance ''the relation to
congress of the increase in cspitaliz.
alton; whether it is the purpose of con.
gress to compel the business indus
tries to pay dividends not upon the
real value of these properties, but
upon the fictitious value which has
been sought to be placed upon them
by the increased capitalization
Tillman declared that there can be
no justice in compelling the people to
pay dividends on watered stock pri.
marily to increase the fortunes of men
already too rich. He contended that
the poor dupes who have been led to
invest their savings in such stock can
better afford to lose those earnings
than to have the labor Of the country
saddled with the burden Of paying per.
petual tribute in the shape of dtvi.
dends on dishonest valuations.
Mr.. Tillmau concluded with word
of caution to the friends of the pro.
posed legislation. He said:
'The demand of the people for re.
lief from the expressions and wrongs
they now endure may be thwarted by
the great influence of the railroad cor.
porations. This influence has hitherto
been paramount and its representa-.
tives in the two houses may feel that i,
is safe to refuse to redress the griev.
ances and to continue the policy OF
non.interference. Such action on
their part will, in my judgment, be
very unwise and will only dam up the
water. The issue will be made the
paramount one in the next election
and those who are responsible for the
delay or inadequate legislation will
find that when at last the food gates
of popular wrath and indignation are
hoisted, there will be some fine grind
ing done.
"If those most interested in these
great properties will not consent tc
wise legislation to relieve the distress
Of the people, there is danger of more
radical policies and leaders coming te
the front, with the result that legisla
tian far more drastic and dangerou.
than anything proposed in this bill
and the amendments to be offered, will
be enacted"
Would Kill Incurables.