The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1908-03-30

LEGISLATION. .erhdpS the most far
reaching of these events was the de-
cision of the supreme court of the
United States in the celebrated Min
nesota and South Carolina railroad
rate cases This decision asserts that
the fixing of rates by legislation so
low as to be practically confiscatory
is in direct violation of the constitu-
ton since the latter prohibits any
legislation which takes property
without Just compensation. Hereafter.
there will be no successful attempts
by state legislation to nullify tn guar
antees Of the Fourteenth amendment.
and federal courts viii be enabled to
enforce their DEGREES in spite Of the
opposition of state officers, AS al
ready said, this is a decision of the
highest importance. 1t once more af-
firms the fact that the constitution of
the United States is the supreme law
Of the land; it guarantees protection
to property, and will put an effectual
stoppage upon the confscatory at
t1cks on property which have become
SO popular in state legislatures for
political or socialistic purposes.
Presidents Message Discussed.
Another favorable incident was the
character of the presidents
Howsoeyer the various
in that message
may be considered, there will be one
opinion as to the wisdom of a calm
and dispassionate presentation of adj
views upon public ques
tions In this respect the presidents
last message should be an example
to other individuals who are taking
leading parts in the present political
campaign The time for excessive de-
and eXhortation has passed
The country has had more than
enough of that sort of political agita-
ton: 1t now needs quiet and rest in
order that business may recover from
the panic and that the reforms which
have been so earnestly pressed may
be calmly considered, and if neces-
sary. put into effect after we'll con-
sidered and deliberate debate The
president is to be stronly commended
for his judicial attitude toward both
capital and labor He insists that
both shall have their rights; that
both have their responsibilities; that
10th shall be equal before the law.
and that neither shall claim nor Sc
cure special exemption and privilege.
He also notifies Labor that it cannot
expect to have boycotts or blacklists
egalizcd Altogether the presidents
message has done much toward sooth |
ng irritated nerves and softening the /,
lsperities of the political campaign. |
he has materially inn |
proved the chances OF Republican |
at the polls next November.
Hepburn Act Absurd.
Quite recently the Sherman anti |
rust law has been subject of active |
DISCUSSION It's original cudty in !
all contracts in restraint |
If trade has long been sell-evident. |
Both capital and labor are interested |
Il having the act so amended as to |
iermit the ordinary combinations Of |
he day, which are inseparable from
modern business methods The Hep !
lurn act is an absurd. complex and |
ifrsive attempt to amend the Sher |
nan law, Everything it attempts |
Gould be accomplished by suitable in |
of the word unreasonable, |
so long as contracts are reasonable |
n their restraints and not against the |
interest of all concerned. they should |
% permitted: and in case of disputes |
he courts may easily be called upon |
% decide between reasonable and un- |
easonable contracts. There still re- |
mains the common law, the applica- |
tCn of which when invoked should !
)e sufficient to protect both capital |
md labor from improper encroach-
uent or interference The Hepburn |
ill should be killed because it is I'M
'ecessary and is clumsily conceived. |
there is little prospect of |
.nythiDg being done in congress on
his subject during the present ses-
ion
Labor Situation.
The labor situation is still unset
led many hands are out of employ
nent and the outlook in this respect |
S anything but satisfactory. With
he approach of spring, it is possible
hat some sort of compromise may
n effected as work could often be
more easily started If moderate con
essions We're obtained in wages. The
cages problem is still the most diff
ult question in many lines or indus
ny. It is one perhaps that is best
eft to settle itself-free as possible
f political and government interior
nee. Both capital and labor best I'M
erstand their individual interests,
nd should be quite able to reach an
dinstmont Of their differences with
ut outside Interference. Any other
1cthod of settlement is a reflection
pen the intelligence Of one party or
be ether: besides we are getting
ather too much paternalism in gov
Trment nowadays.
Substantial Rise.
The stock market has now had
cry substantial rise, and the induce,
lents to take profits by those who