The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-03
BREWER TO STAY.
Distinguished Kansan Intimates
That He Will Not Retire.
Would Like to Live and Work
Fifty Years Longer.
TALKS ON CONDITIONS,
Says Pub licity Is the Remedy
for Existing Evils.
Secret Practices of Corporations
Responsible for Trouble.

Washington, June ST am getting
to be an old man. Very soon I shall
have reached 70 years, when 1 could
retire and drop out of all the activi-
ties of the world to live in quiet and
seclusfon. But 1 am too much inter
ested in the things that are going on
100 young in spirit. I look ahead
with hope, with optimism, with faith
IN the happy future of our country. 1t
Is said that optimism is a quality of
youth, not of old age. If that be true,
then L am indeed young, and can look
with confidence at the years to come"
Thus spoke Justice Brewer of the
United States supreme court, as he
laid aside a book to talk for a few
moments about things past, present
and future. 1t is the first intimation
that the distinguished Kansan has
given the public that he does not in
tend to retire from the supreme bench
when he reaches the retirement age.
He continued:
Il wish the next fifty years were
before me. that 1 might witness and
participate in their events, for the
coming half century is to be a marvel
Gus period in history. Great inven-
tions will be made. remarkable dis
coveries will be brought to light, civil
progress. and believe that our nation
will approach nearer the blessings of
peace. of comfort and of happiness.
Publicity as Reform Agent.
I'VE have millionaires today and
billionaires tomorrow. Perhaps we
shall have trilIonaires next. Let us
have them if their wealth is used for
increasing the welfare and the happi-
ness of humanity. l do not view with
alarm the accumulation of wealth, be-
cause 1 believe that the spirit of hu-
manity and the sense of responsibility
is growing among US.
THE greatest hope for the future
American nation is the developments
of it's conscience
Asked what effect publicity had in
improving political and social condi-
tions, schemes and questionable trans
actions, Judge Brewer said:
Publicity has tendency to prevent
graft in corporate life. Publicity is
one of the things that make it danger
Publicity is not a new force in our
national life. but its power is greater
today than in the past.
The Railroad Situation.
Publicity helps to form public opin-
ion and public opinion is the mighty
force of the age. If there had been
publicity of every act of the officers and !
directors of the New York insurance |
companies there could not have been
the secret financial operations which |
charge.
In the railroad world the people |
have had reason to cry out, not 40
much against rates themselves as |
against the secret practices behind the |
of transportation COM |
panies. AS a rule the schedule rates |
charged have not been outrageous, al |
though, of course, there have been ex-
ceptions, but on the average goods were |
carried for reasonable sums.
1T has not been the profits made |
from legitimate carrying of traffic |
against which the public protests; not |
that some roads have paid large divi- |
dends to their stockholders. Such things
are the legitimate profits of business.
the granting of special privileges that
gave unfair advantages in competition
and in the manipulations of stocks and |
bonds by those in control"
rs the tendency of legislation, of |
court decisions and of public sentiment
toward Capitalization and the strength
ening of federal power?" was asked.
Views on PaternaIism.
'.There is undoubtedly a tendency to-
ward national control in many direc-
tions,'' he replied. But beneath it all
there is another tendency on the part |
of individual citizens which is to he
regretted 1 am not a believer in
government Too much and
too frequent interference by govern
rnent blunts the sense of individual re-
and the danger is that we
drift to a condition where the individ
nal abandons his own duty and simply
appeals to government.
80 that if man buys pair of shoes
that pinches his feet he will rush TO
the legislature for some statute regu-
Iating shoe manufacture, and for Iear
the state legislature cannot reach every
shoemaker in the land, hasten to Wash
tgton to have congress undertake he
work of regulati under its power
over interstate commerce.
ut is human nature to turn respon-
sibilities off if possible, and if you de-
yelop in the locality a general feeling
that in a government at Washington
rests full responsibility, the individual
will steadily lose the spirit of indepen1-
ant public spirited citizenship.
II believe the supreme court is to be
The pattern for future court of ma
lions We have in this country many
cases of disputes between the states of
our union. We pass upon them and
render decisions, and there is no dis
position to question our judgments. The
states accept them as final This meth
ID of determining causes, believe. will
be extended throughout the world