The Cairo bulletin., 1907-02-28
A NOTABLE DEBATE.

William Jennings Bryan and Sena-
nor Beverage appear in printed de-
bate On the subject Of states
rights. the first IN series on the
Problems Of the People, which has
been arranged between them 1t is
understood that in speaking for the
Republican party in these debates
Senator Beveridge acts as The mouth
piece Of the administration All the
important issues between the two
parties will be discussed and Mr. Bry-
an is expected to outline his party's
platform considerably in advance 0f
the usual date In The first debate.
which is published in The Reader
Magazine Mr.. Bryan goes into a care.
full statement Of the differing the0-
ries held by statesmen Of the coastl.
tutional period and follows this with
discussion Of issues of the day, in
which these paragraphs arc promin-
ent:
IF the time has come for obliterat-
ing state lines and consolidating al
authority. legislative, judicial and exc
cutive, at Washington, it can be done
by constitutional amendment when.
ever threefoufths Ct the states are
willing to ratify such an amendment.
But is there any demand for a sur
render by the states of the powers re-
served to them? On the contrary.
every reason which existed l18 years
ago exists now. and those reasons are
oven stronger than they formerlv
were, because of the increase in the
area and population Of the nation.
The demand for the enlargement
of the powers Of tn federal govern.
mont comes from two sources viz.
fiom those who believe with HamU- /
ton in the theory Of Capitalization. and /
from those who want legislation
which the states rights doctrine OIL
structs, OF these two class Tho las.
Is most influential. because The nom
bers Of This class impari o. ibrir
method the strength supplied hv ihc
object aimed at An abstract theory
seldom proves discu sion. bu war
have been fought over theory en-
bodied IN a concrete issue
First there is the effort fo saaurr .
the national Incorporation of railway
and industrial enterprises. Those who
desire this hope for an ACT of con.
gress and a favorable court decision
sustaining IT, They could hardly
hope for the adoption Of an amend
ment to the constitution. The M.
tional incorporation Of business en-.
terprises is sought IN order 10 avoid
state courts and state regulation. bpi
in view Of the growing sentim nj
against monopolies the subject will
hardly reach the courts. fer n is not
likely hat a majority Of congress can
be brought Ia favor any enlargement .
Of the power Of comncrclal corpora F.
lions
y systematic absorption ~ pu7rp- .
BY he fede-al government would rof
only cau-c discomfort and weaken
The attachment of 'be people for Tho
government hul withdrawal rfI
power from the state would breed in-
iifference 10 public sffairs-thc fore
runner Of despotism.
~Thc exercise hv fhe federal GOV
Of restraining power Is not $40
1i'iee ionable as the ex reisa OF Gre (
hive power.
In the exc, else Of restraining pow
sr care should be taken To preserve /
% the states the exercise Of concur I
rent authority. 50 thar the stale gov
srnment as wei a. the national gov I
srnmeni. can stand guard over The
tights If the citizen.
No assault upon the authority O.
,ontracfion 4 the sphere Of the state
an Be justified on the grosnd Ia.