New-York tribune., 1907-07-30
SPEAKER ATCHAUTAUQUA
Dir. Uads7cOrth TALKS on Politics
and Social Unrest.

Chautauqua y. Y. July 29.-James w. Wads-
worth. Jr., Speaker of the New York State Assem-
bly,. delivered an address in the amphitheatre to-
day the topic The Relation of Politics to
Social Unrest"
Mr.. Wadsworth said in recent years vast
change had taken place in political conditions and
more particularly In political methods The people
themselves had brought this about. demanding that
the government be clean and efficient and that
political organizations be the same.
Mr.. Wadsworth held that party organizations
and political leaders necessary. and settled
policy of government could be carried on without
them. The existence of this unrest Mr.. Wads-
worth held, could be prevented.
I'VE must recognize ii, meet 1t and cure it, said
he. Legislation Is not q complete remedy, by any
means. The thoughtess agtator TO think
that laws, laws nothing but laws. will cure every
evil, and grind them out by the hundreds
every year Pretty soon reaction will set in. and
We will hear the complaining cry, It's terrible
death TO be governed to death
In my judgment, have laws enough. We
must call into play the homely Christian attri-
butes, generosity and consideration between man
and man, charity within reason, forbearance in
preached, and little less discomfort Education
must be fostered and allowed percOlate every
darkened corner
Henry Clews of New York spoke on Great
Wealth and Social Unrest" saying, in part
To-day most of our railroads comparatively
free of overcapitalization, both because much Of
the water has been eliminated by reorganiztions
and because the increased value of terminals and
other properties as we'll as the large improvements
that were paid for out of earnings. have increased
the intrinsic value of shares which time may
have been practically valueless
Il feel safe in saying that there is practically no
more reason for unrest the part of the business
community the people of the nation. account
of the large aggregation capital represented by
trusts thiin from equally large sums in the hands
of individuals for both equally controlled by
law and Influenced by public opinion and public
opinion IS often more powerful than law, in right
ing wrong. Moreover. public opinion makes the
laws As the Latin aphorsm says. the peoples
voice is the voice of God
Il take decided issue with certain distinguished
gentleman from Maryland that the existing un-
rest has been brought about by the admin
istration at Washington. and by the Chief Execu-
tive of country and challenge the truth of this
assertion. II is both a surprising and ridiculous
accusation. The leading men OF thought-not only
in the United States but all over the world-agree
that II, after the startling exposure life
insurance and railroad abuses. President Roosevelt
had not taken the sturdy and bold stand that he
did. the confidence of the public would not only
have been severely shaken but would have been
welnigh uprOoted and such general spirit Of I'M
rest would have followed to be truly alarming
in its nature
'As il was his level headed and courageous
course was timely and almost providentlal and IN
stead Of being the subject of adverse criticism he
is entitled to the highest praise from all Apart
from some politicians, and a few others, we are
indeed all paying him this deserved tribute He
has often shown us that he possesses the courage
of his convictions. In concluson,- while we doubt
less all that the existing social unrest anxi-
ETY. and prejudice to be deplored. may we not
also unite in the hope that, under the educa ting
influence OF full discussion of the economic oues-
tions Of the hour. and with the enforcement OF
the laws in the hands of honest and courageous
Executive, the way TO betterment will be thor
oughy paved"