The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1907-03-05


one or those who believe that there
must be some amendment Of the Con-
stitutien OF the United states to en-
able Congress to deaf with the trust
evil. While at one time Mr.. Bryan
believed a constitutional amendment
necessary. he now holds that it is with
in the powers of Congress to destroy
monopolies by Withdrawing from them
the use of the mails and of interstate
railroads and telegraphS.
Mr. Bryan advances this as his anti
trust remedy in q notable article con-
tributed as first instaliment Of his
debate with senator Beveridge. IN the
current issue Of The Reader magazine.
Because of the prominence OF the de-
batcrs, each representa- his own par
ty. and because Of the part the discus
sion may play in the shaping Of the
issues for the coming presidential cam
p2ign, this ma gaZine debate promises
to attract much attention in political
circles.
THE Nation versus states Rights
is the general theme of this< first in
staIlment. Mr Bryan writing upon
our Dual G. vernment" and senator
Beveridge upon The Nation. Mr.
Blyan's argument is for the strict
preservation of the rights Of the states
in all legislation; Senator Beveridge
contends for Federal legislation to
cover all those problems. Of national
interest in dealing With which the
States have proved themselves lax.
On the subject of antitrust rene
dies. Mr.. Bryan says:
There is a real evil to be corrected
and a real public sentiment to he salts
fS1. y constitutional amendment was
proposed Il few years ago Speclt1cally
authorizing congress Il deal With the
subject. 1t was opposed by democrats
on the ground that it did not protect
the rights of the States. While such
an amendment, properly drawn, con-
ferring plenlry powers upon congress,
but reseryiEg TO the States the powers
which they now have, would be unob-
jecti0nable, IL has not yet b en- shown
to be necessary. Congress lt1S<4aQ}Ner
to control interstate commerce, ana
the decision Of the supreme court in
the lottery case leaves little doubt
that that power can be so exercised
roads and telegraph lines and the
mails from corporations which control
enough of the product Of any article
to Sivc them q monopoly. No assault
upon the authority or contraction of
the sphere of the state can b JUST
fed on the ground that it is neces-
sary for the overthrow of mopoDO-
lies. Federal remedies should supple
ment state remedies; they should not
be substituted for state remedies.
Speaking generally Of the growing
demand in some quarters for the en-
iargemeht Of federal powers. Mr.
Bryan traces this demand to two
sources: those who believe With Ham
ilton III the theory of Capitalization,
and those who want legislation which
the States rights doctrine obstructs.
''Of these two classes. he says. The
last is the most influential, because
the members Of this class impart to
their method the strength supplied by
the object aimed at. An abstract the
DRY seldom provokes discussion. but
wars have been fought over q theory
in q concrete issue.
With reference to the agitation in
favor Of national incorporation Of rail
way and industrial enterprises, Mr.
Bryan does not think it likely that
such an amendment Will ever be
adopted, for the reason that it is very
unlikely. as he sees it, that a majority
of Congress can ever be brought Ito
favor amy enlargement Of the power of
commercial corporations" He thinks,
however. that two constitutional
have been shown to be
necessary: one relating to the method
Of electing United States Senators. and
the other to the income tax. The
first of these he says. ''is required to
make Inc senator Jle servant OI the
people whom he represents; the sec
ond is necessary TO permit an equit-
able distribution Of the burdens Of the
Federal government; but neither Of
these amendments would disturb in the
least the balance between the general
and the State governments.
Mr.. Bryan stands squarely with the
people Of San Francisco on the school
question. OF this phase Of current
he says:
An argument has recently been
made in favor OF extending the sphere
of the general government. VIZ. that
it IS necessary TO do SO to protect the
treaty rights Of foreigners. Some have
gone so far as to assume that Con-
gress has power to carry out the terms
Of 4 treaty without regard to conSti- j
tutionff provisions. This is a very pal |
rab1e error. for the President and I,
senators who join in the making Of I
treaty are bound by oath to support +.
the constitution, and they can make 10 |
binding treaty which violates the con-
stitution. y constitution which can
1nly be amended by the concurrence i
of the people Of three e-fourths Of the +
States cannot be suspended by the /
mere concurrence Of the President and /
he senate
The exclusion Of Japanese students !
from certain of the schools Of san ,
francisco aroused the discussion IN |
regard to the treaty rights Of the .
members of the race living in SAN
Francisco. Upon no subject will the ,
people of a state insist moro siren !
lously in controlling their own affairs
than in matters of education. he /
school room is in close and instant
contact with the home. and the par +.
antS. having 4 vital interest in the IN /
struction of their children and an intl- /
mate acquaintance with local condl- |
ions. would not and should not con- |
sent 10 national control or supervise |
ON. No construction of the conStitu- (
ion could bring State schools Withln |
he scope of Federal legislation, ana ,
10 amendment contemplating such q !