Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-12-12
A DAY OF 0RATORY IN SENATE,
Senator Jefferson Davis of Arkansas Goes
After the Trusts In Characteristic
Observation-Disclosures Crowded.
CONGRESS-.

Washington, Dec. u-Passionate
| oratory marked the proceedings of the
Senate today. Senator Jefferson Davis
of Arkansas, who, when he was elect
ed, declared that he would attack the
trusts Immediately after taking mis-
seat, fulfilled his promise, although he
was a few days late in doing 50. The
speech was filled with sensational dec
larations and was given with that
vigOr for which the Arkansas senator
is famed in his state. He was given
a careful hearing by senators and the
galleries were well filled throughout
the time he held the floor. He spoke
for a little more than an hour. The
Senate then went into executive seS-
sion, and. at 30 o'clock. adjourned
The House was not in session today.
When Senator Davis secured the
floor and began his address. all of the
senators, both Republicans and Demo-
Gratis were in their seats and the gall
lerieS were filled with spectators. Sem
ator Davis after declaring that his
bill. vigorously enforced, would kill
the trusts, with dramatic effect chal-
lenged any senator to step forward
and contest the issue with him.
AS he proceeded he showed great
emotion and his voice trembled.
Speaking of the annual appropriation
for the expenses of the government, he
detailed appropriations made for MAIN
tanning the White House.
And yet" he continued, president
Roosevelt has but five children-at
home"
The inadvertence of speech brought
laughter from all parts Of the cham
Der.
''Everything.'' declared Senator Da-
Wis, lis in a trust except acorns and
persimmons.'
Holy writ" he said, "admonishes
us to go to the vineyard and work I
have found nothing in the good book
that warrants any of us going into
the vineyard to corner all the grapes"
The President" he said. has taken
off the dollar the words In God We
Trust Its time to take it off. | Won
der what the grand old party is going
to put on the dollar
This panic was started by these
trusts magnates and stock gamblers
in order that they might take from
the cotton producers half their prop
erty," he added.
Il am for the under dog, Senator
McLarcn," he said, addressing the SEN
ator from Mississippi who sat before
him. whenever YOU hear Of dog
fight, just say jeff Davis is for the
under deg"
He read some statistics on the Stand
~ fhn
center aisle stamped his foot and said:
The Standard Oil is the old he-truat
of the country. IT is the trust that
has all the para phernalia and til" marks
OF a trust. l dislike Standard Oil. [
hate the smell of coal oil. Petroleum
makes me sick. Oh, sir. something
ought 10 be done to curtail the great
power Of this monster truSt-John ID.
Rockefeller truSt--the great standard
Oil Trust"
Senator Davis began by declaring that
it was not his purpose to retain his
seat in the Senat until his hair shall
have grown gray before taking up his
work actively in that body. He pro-
posed to present quickly. feariessly anc
as intnlIigently as he might some Of
the living. burning questions before
the American people. 1t was for that
reason he had determined to speak up
on his bill to suppress trusts. pools,
combinations and cOnspiracies.
Il undertake to say" he continued
that if this bill is enacted into law,
and faithfully and honestly executed
trusts will be wiped from the face OF
the earth and no longer will we fee
their grinding and destroying grip on
4 the arteries of trade and commerce.
Il A domestic corporation found fixing
the price of any article. would, by mis-
bill. he said. have its charter forfeited
and q foreign corporation guilty Of sucf
an act would not be allowed to d;
business in the United States.
The trust evil" said Senator Davis
lis cancerous sore upon the body
polite Just as upon the human bcdy
| The only remedy, the oniy successful
treatment IS the surgeons knife. Gu
it out by The root. destroy the viru:
before the whole body polite Is affect
ed and destroyed"
Congress should not hesitate in 1t!
work of destroying the trust becaus'
CONTINUED on Page Twelve.)