The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-02-01

| Establishment of our security on its nee
essary foundations of fair dealing and
recognition of equal rights appreciate
the great service he has rendered and
the fundamental Importance of the pur-
poses he has had in view We shall have
| in the next campaign a notable vantage
| ground, gained through the general adj
miration of his strong personality and
the popular appreciation of the intensity
of his desire TO promote the righteous
conduct of affairs and the welfare of his
| fellow men.
Fight on Special Privileges.
THE battle for free institutions has
been a struggle against special privi-
leges 1t is not won merely by the Gre
alton of new forms of government
Against every attempt to make govern
ment the instrument of selfish purposes
a free people constantly must be on the
alert Every franchise granted by the
people is privilege justified only by
consideration of the public welfare and
the conditions of its exercise should be
such as to insure the performance of
public obligation. There must be no en-
croachment on the common right for
the purpose of serving the interests of
the few at the expense of the many.
Approves Rate Bill.
Il approve the Roosevelt extension of
the authority of the interstate COM
merce commission by what is known as
the rate BILL and / believe that the COM
mission should have the most ample
powers for purposes of investigation
and supervision, and for making rules
and orders which Will enable it to deal
to the fullest extent possible, within
constitutional limits, with interstate
transportation in ali its phases. That is
just policy. The power of congress to
fix rates for interstate transportation
so as TO prevent improper discrimina-
lions and to compel carriage upon rea-
sonable terms is UndOubted.
Amendment of Sherman Law.
"The Sherman antitrust law should
be clarified and made more explicit.
The law may be made stronger and
more effective by being made more def
mite. Sweeping concentrations of UNI
certain meaning do not aid. but rather
embarrass the prosecution of those who
are guilty of pernicious practices. Com
binatiOns and practices in unreasonable
restraint of trade and which menace
the freedom of interstate commerce
should be condemned in precise terms.
At the same time provisions may we'll
be made for joint agreements, under
proper circumstances, as to railroad
rates, which should be subject to the
approval of the interstate commerce
commission.
Law Should Be Explicit.
Various means have been suggested
of doubtful validity and still more
doubtful utility-to prevent oppression
through the conduct of large enterprises
and TO secure the enforcement of the
law against Illegal attempts to mOnop-
Ollie and the various devices resorted
to in unlawful restraint of trade. In
my judgment the most effective course
is explicit definition of What is wrong
and adequate punishment of the guilty.
Such laws, like laws in general which
are definite and supported by public
sentiment, are TO a very large extent
self-eXecuting. That is, they are gen
orally obeyed.
Prison Instead of Fines.
Il am not in favor of punishment in
the shape of fines upon corporations.
except for minor offenses. The burden
of fines imposed upon such corpora
tions is either transferred to the pub
lie or is borne by stockholders the in
nOcent as well as the guilty. Nor am l
impressed by the argument that Amer
lean juries will generally be indis-
posed to convict where the evidence is
clear because the crime is punished by
Imprisonment of the offenders. But if
the law be definite and the evidence
warrants the prosecution of the case to
the jury. it is better, in my judgment,
that the responsibility for failure to
convict should lie with the jury than
that the conviction should be followed
by penalties which are either made
quate or bear unjustly upon those who
have had no completely in the offense.
Rule of Reason.
I do not believe in arbitrary action
We desire prosperity. We are anxious
that there should be fair opportunities
for all the workers of the land, for the
extension of industry and commerce,
and that there should be the widest
diffusion of blessings among content
ed people.
ITO attain these ends, the rule of the
people must be the rule of reason, and
every effort must be dominated by the
sense of justice. We must be patient
impartial and thorough; investigation
must precede action; good will must
displace passion; and the sole motive
must be to seek the truth and to do the
right.
Makes No Claims.
Fellow Republicans: L do not come
before you in any spirit of rivalry or
self seeking. There are many Repub-
licans who by virtue of their charac-
ter and distinguished services are
worthy of the highest honor the party
can bestow l ask no favor and L make
no claim. l desire that the party shall
act for its best interest.
eve must not underestimate the Ia
bors of the next campaign. 1t will be
a hard-fought battle. We cannot ex-
pect victory unless we are united, and
nothing should be done to imperil sue
cess in this state. l appeal to you in
the name of the party to which you are
ali loyal TO forget every personal diff
ference and to make the work which
precedes the campaign fitting prepa-
L.. ,snla Iii