The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-12-18
SUMTER. S. Q. WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER ls l4C7
Ex.G0v. BLACK HITS TEDDY.
SCORES ACTIONS OF CHIEF EX-
ECUTTVE IN MANY WAYS.
Spirit OF Unrest Aided by Popular
Plays For Applause, He Declares-
Why Bulletins ON Honesty?

WHY l1uIIctulS OH HOneSCyv
Concord, n. H., Dec. 13.-Former
Gov. Frank s. Black, Of New York,
was the principal speaker at the an
nual meeting fthe New HAMPSHIRE
Bar Association held in the supreme
court room in this city this Afternoon.
Vice President Edwin F. Jones of
Manchester. presided.
M. BLACK heganby reviewing the
unrest and apparent dissatisfaction
with national law as applied to pres
ent conditions" He then spoke in
part as follows:
Are not these changes in line with
the direct tendencies of the latest
policies and agitation? Am I wrong
when I say that the constitution
seems less regarded as a guide and
shield. and more in the nature of a
hindrance?
Am I wrong when I say that the
conduct and teachings of the most
powerful influence in the country are
expressive of impatience and con-
tempt for this ancient safeguard?
Where is the end and what will 1t
be?
In time Of such success and
plenty as has never seen its example
In all the ages of the world the spirit
OF unrest now stalks abroad, and Is
any man so dense he does not know
unrest to be the seed Of revolution?
THE public Is headed down the
road and the new type Of public Of
hcials strives only to place himsellf at
the head Of the crowd.
"His cry is not justice, but popu.
larity; not fair play, but power. He
acts not to command respect, but to
oraw the crowd. There is only one
test of right and wrong for him, viz.
What does the majority want? No
matter what may come tomorrow If
nc can be cheered today,
land how. grievously that man errs
VINO believes all applause synony-
nous with popularity Applause may
come. from fear as we'll as love- The
knee bends Just the same to gain a
favor as to show respect.
"A demonstration quite as often
follows the grotesque as the intelli-
gent. Men seldom seek instruction
where they go for entertainment.
But what Is the reason-or. If
there is no reason. what is the ex-
cuse--for the wild and undigested
proposals now futtering from so
many lines?
Eve have read that the president
Of the United States is in favor of a
law making employers liable for in
juries to their employees, no matter
how the injury results.
THAT proposal arouses greater
wonder than respect. 1t could serve
only to open a new field to the indo-
lent vicious. 1t would mean that any
servant might submit to such injury
as he chose, it's extent and character
being always within his own control.
and the employer, without fault or
knowledge, should make compensa-
ton to his faithfless employe.
"We have read with astonishment
and ismay the criticisms from the
same high source Of the conduct of
courts. Was this because those
courts had proved recreant to their
nigh duties? Had they failed to per-
form the vital functions they were
created to perform Not in one in
stance. They have hewed to the line
with that integrity and learning
which has characterized the Ameri-
can courts from the birth of the re-
public.
why is the clamor so persistent
for the enactment Of new laws and
the bestowal of more power? Have
the old laws proved ineffective? One
single illustration Is enough.
"In July. 1890. the so-called Sher-
man antitrust law was enacted. 1t
stands on the books today and the
most substantial checks administered
to the trusts have been applied under
its provisions. The Northern Securi-
ties case. the Joint Traffic Association
cases, the action against the Beef
Trust-all under the Sherman law
Of 1890.
The Sherman law is criminal
statute. 1t provides that persons
committing the acts therein enumer-
ated shall be deemed guilty Of mis-
demo amor and on conviction thereof
shall be punished by fine or impris-