Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-01-29
BRYAN RAPS DECISION
Dissents From Opinion of ST.
preme Court on Labor Case.
BLACKLIST WRONG, HE SAYS
Nebraskan Is Eulogized In Congress
and Discusses Aldrich Bill With SEN
ator BaiIey-Favors Issue of Curren-
cy Without Aid of Banks.

Washington, Jan. 20. William J.
Bryan again visited the lobby of the
house of representatives and spent an
hour or more i'll the company of Rep
resentative Ollie James of Kentucky
and in shaking hands and chatting
with members.
Mr.. Bryan's attention being called to
the supreme court decision holding
that corporation has the right to dis
charge man because he is member
of a labor union, he dictated the fol-
lowing statement:
Il have not had an opportunity to
read the decision, having seen only the
account of it in the morning papers.
The subject is one of vital importance,
and | do not understand by what
course of reasoning the majority of the
court reached the decision announced.
A corporation is creature of law. 1t
has no rights except those given it by
law, and it must not be confused
with the natural man. Man was Gre
ated to carry out a divine purpose; the
corporation was created to make
money.
The corporation enjoys many rights
and privileges which are denied to the
individual, and it cannot claim the pos
session Of any natural or inalienable
rights. The power that creates cor
poration can restrict it, restrain it and
control it, and congress has plenary
powers in dealing with corporations in
so far as they engage in interstate COM
merce.
Whatever may be the rights of an
individual in dealing with other in
dividuals the government certainly has
the right to determine the conditions
upon which Il corporation can exist
and do business, and congress can fix
the terms upon which state corpora
ton can engage in interstate COM
merce.
"The union is a lawful association,
and if man can be discharged be-
cause he belongs to a labor union by
the same logic he can be discharged
II he belongs to a political party OBJ
jectionabe to the employer or to a
church against which the employer is
prejudiced. Followed to its logical
conclusion, the principle laid down by
the court, as understand the decision,
would enable the corporation to set it
self up as dictator in regard to the
habits, thoughts and convictions of Its
employees on any and every subject.
"The fact that two of the justices
have dissented enables me to dissent
from the conclusion of the majority
without disrespect to the ability or high
powers of those who have given what
l regard as an erroneous construction
to the constitution"
When Bryan was occupied in con-
versation in the speakers lobby. MIR.
Wallace Dem., Ark on the floor OF
the house was delivering a eulogy Of
him.
They say he has made mistakes"
said Mr.. Wallace. They say he is
radical What reformer is not:' he
inquired. Who would have him Obe-
dient, subservient:"
He thanked God there was no earth
ly prince who at monday can pro-
claim lit Is night and have William
]. Bryan forthwith declare that he
sees the moon and the stars. IL had
been said that Mr.. Bryan cannot car
ry this or that state. He may not be
elected or may not carry state here
and there" he remarked. but | say
he will do better; he will convince the
world of his own manhood"
This utterance aroused the Demo
Gratis to loud applause Il will say"
he repeated. he will carry conviction
TO all the states and that he bears
within himself the elements that make
the world proclaim him man worthy
the honor and suffrage Of all the
states"
Mr.. Wallace was frequently inter-
rupted by Democratic applause.
In window recess Of the wide hall
In front of the senate chamber and
within half a dozen PAGES of the room
Of the senate committee on finance
William j. Bryan held an impromptu
reception for senators and representa-
tives for an hour.
The committee on finance was en-
gagged in the final consideration of the
Aldrich financial measure. As Mr..
Bryan came along from the house.
talking animatedly with a couple Of
congressman. word was passed TO the
Democrats of the finance committee.
and Senator Bailey and Senator Teller
emerged and greeted the Nebraskan.
Retiring 10 the window niche. an ami
mated discussion took place between
Senator Bailey and Mr.. Bryan. with
Senator Teller Offering suggestions.
Nc Bryan said later the discussion
was about the Democratic view VI the
currency question Both MIR. Bryan
and Senator Bailey said there had
been little difference Of opinion. Roth
stood for the direct government issu-
ance of money instead Of an issue
through the hanks