The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1906-04-24
.LAFOLL LETTE HAS FINALLY Y /.
CONCLU UDED LONG SPEECH

Washington, April Yesterday att
ternoon marked the conclusion of La
Foilette's speech on the railroad rate
bill He occupied the greater part OF
the time, as he had done on Saturday,
rendering one of the longest speeches
in recefft years in the senate APP
preaching the close of the speech, Mr..
LaFollette said: a,ss. a,ss, ..r ..,.1s, .GI :.
This extended review of the evi-
dences of increasing rates and vicious
discrimination OF the methods OF rail-
road building over capitalization and
reckless speculation all demonstrate
the necessity of the valuation OF rail-
road property as a basis for securing
to- the people OF this country just and
reasonable rights. Before this bill
becomes law, ] trust that the amend
/ n1ent which j shall offer, or some bet
ter one will be incorporated, making
full and complete provision at an early
date for the true valuation OF all the
railroad property OF the United States.
n5 when it is. remembered that the
commission is the only tribunal that
stands between the railroads ard the
public that the power conferred upon
the commission is the power of con-
greSs itself that the commission really
represents the government OF the
] United States, does not the propose ]
law seem, to fall short of just and
comprehensive treatment OF great
subject of legislation? st =.
81 would not be unfair. The bill
has neither i'll intent nor high purpose.
< Expediency seems to have been the
controlling factor in framing it.
he history of the last thirty
5 years Of struggle for Just and equit-
able Legislation, demonstrates that the
powerful combinations &of organized
wealth and special interests have ha
an overbalancing control in the state
and national legislation. x x. :.
For generation the American peo-
pie have watched the growth OF this
power in legislation. Against the ma,
tiiral laws of trade. and commerce is
set the arbitrary will of few masters
Of special privilege. ~
tThe principal transportation lines
of the country are SO operated as to
eliminate compe etition. Between rail,
Z roadsg and other mono opolies CONTROL.
ing great natural resources and mosi
$of thssnecessaries Of Life, there eyists
community of interes stss in all cases
and an identity oil ownership in many
During this debate there has been
much talk about the country having
'hysteria Magazine writers and
press correspondents have been. de-
nounced, and there would seem to be
al, agreement that they are to be
pursued and discredited, lest they
lodge In the popular naind a wrongful
estimate Of the public service.
ssIt does not lie in the power OF any
or all of the magazines of the country,
or the press-grea as it is--to de-
stroy without justification, the con-
fidence OF the people in the American
congress. Neither can any man on
earth. whatever his post Jon or power,
alter the settled conviction of the in
telligent citizenship of this country,
when ii is grounded on fact and ex-
perience. 1t rests solely with the Unit
ed States senate to fix and maintain
its own reputation for fidelity to public
trust. II will be judged BY the record.
it cannot repOse in security upon its
exaIte.I posifiOfl and the glorious herit-