Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1908-08-08
TALKS OF ISSUES
AT CAMDEN CAMP
Alfred 0. CrOzier Discusses
Railroads, Canals and Other
Topics at Kent Meeting
special 10 THE EVENING JOURNAL,

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.
DOVER. Aug. ALFRED o. crozier. OF
Wilmington spoke at the Changers meet
ing at the Camden camp grounds yester-
day afternoon discussing the topics OF the |
day There was a large attendance. Mr. |
crozier said in parts
Regulation OF railroads by congress
and States resulted from the work Of the
great granger organization. II began
thirty years ago. the movement that es-
tablshed the Interstate Commerce Com
mission and stole railroad commissions
with power to regulate rates and service. |
The Supreme Court Of the United States
upheld these laws It declared railroads
TO be common carriers. highways. engaged |
in a public business, and therefore subject
to public regulation.
Most states now have public service
commissions. These are tribunals where the
people can adjudicate their grievances
with public service corporations. Without
such body the people have no way 10
exact justice. They can only beg as a
favor what is their legal right.
Els It not time Delaware created such
a commission Its citizens are legally en-
titled 70 the benefits obtalnable only In
that way. why should the people Of all
other states enjoy this privilege and pro-
lection lille the citizens Of our State are
denied what they are entitled to under the
decisions Of the highest court in the land7
such a commission is not hostile 80
corporations. It win be benefit TO stock
holders and employees It will only oppose
wrong and injustice. No honest man op-
M lem
that do justice by the people and keep
within the law. But when they trans
gress, the people should have an effec-
tive way Of relief. Is it not time Delaware
should put itself in harmony with the
policies Of President Roosevelt and Cover
nor Hughes7
1.-The case. New York city VS.. Consoi-
dated Gas Co., now pending in the SUI
preme Court OF the United States, may
prove one OF the most important since the
republic was founded. The question at
issue is whether a franchise is property
capitalizable at huge figures at the viii
Of the holder
Traffic has so increased that railroads
are inadequate This makes It necessary
to dig canals and improve the waterways.
Only thus can the interests OF the people
be advanced.
The Delaware Ship Canal viii make our
State one Of the great industrial centres
Of the country. This win create a big
home market for the products OF our
farms and factories. Every citizen will be
financially benefited. Then why not go
after It to win. and make It the chief OBJ
feet Of the political and Industrial efforts
Of our Slater II will give Delaware in
ternational prominence. II is not a hard
thing to get II organized and pushed in
side OF congress in an aggressive and
proper way. Delaware is so small and its
legislative power so large our State should
be able TO obtain anything the State needs
But the people must take a hand in
their own affairs. They must rule In fact
as we'll as theory. They must choose SER
wants who can and will produce the re-
suits desired. The people have the right
10 have what a majority wants. But
they'll have TO fight to get IT.
vigilance in the primaries in our state
this year is Of unusual importance. For
we are to provide a legislative depart
ment for two years, an executive depart
ment for four years and judicial depart
ment for twelve years Together these
will comprise the State Government Of
Delaware. Shall It be for the people, or
against them2 Shall It be selected by the
people. or by those special interests that
may profit through betrayal of the peo-
pie by those sworn TO protect and serve
them honestly and faithfully? The people
can control, for the primaries are yet 10
come. But we must organize, and quick
". The people must control the conven-
tions TO win.
This fall we have a governor 10 elect,
a Legislature to elect aud all State and
county officers.
IF the vets control the next Legisla-
ture. they are already planning to single
out Kent and Sussex and resubmit the
license question.
"And. TO be frank. there are those Of
us who favor II an anti-license Legisla-
ture is elected, TO resubmit the question to
wilmington and rural New Castle May
be we ought TO try state wide prohibition.
1--WE could leave all that to the Legisla-
ture in its wisdom to decide II only we
make sure to send no license men to the
State House.
But I beseech you, elect a dry attor-
ney-general. for blind man can see that
wet prosecution would nullify all the
features Of the local option law.
A" Wrought 70 go stil farther and elect
a dry congressman TO aid in stopping the
brazen shipment OF outlawed liquor into
dry territory.
"And vote at the primaries II I had
nv choice Of voting at the primaries or
general election, I would be at the pri-
maries and forego the election.
What matters If both parties happen
TO select good men-which winsf When We
stand for that sturdy principle OF righ'
the American Republic shal stand upen
a solid rock"