The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-09-09
BRYAN ADDRESSES
ILLINOIS STATE
CONVENTION
Continued from Page oaeJ

bills introduced at the Iegisiatiye ses-
sions or each OF the as states, TO realize
enat | would be beyond the power OF
any body OF men To legislate intelli-
gently on the multitude of questions
that require consideration
NOT only would national Legislators
lack the time necessary for investiga-
ton, and therefore lack the inforIna-
ton necessary to wise decision, but the
indifference OF representatives In one
part Of the country To local matters in
other parts OF the country would Invite
the abuse or power. Then, too, the
seat OF government would be so far
from the great majority OF the voters
as To prevent that scrutiny OF public
conduct which is essential 10 clean and
honest government. The union OF the
separate states under federal govern
ment offers the only plan that can
adapt itself TO indefinite extension.
Our constitution expressly reserves
TO the states and TO the people respec-
lively all powers not delegated 10 the
federal government, and only by re-
speeding this division of powers can
we nope to keep the government with
In the reach OF the people and respon-
sive To the viii OF the people. Because
spheres OF the nation and the states
the final decision rests with the federal
courts. the tendency Is naturally to-
ward Capitalization, and greater care
Is required TO preserve the reserved
rights OF the states than e. maintain
the authority OF the general govern
ment.
Another Innuen tini Force.
In recent years another force has
been eNerting an increasing influence
in extending the authority OF the CEN
trail government. ] refer 10 the grea
corporatios. They prefer the federal
courts TO the state courts, and employ
every possible device To drag litigants
before United States judges. They also
prefer coHsress:onal regulation to state
regulation. and those Interested in
large corporations have FOR years been
seeking federal Incorporation. The
Democratic party viii resist every at
tempt TO obiiterate state lines, wheth
er the attempt Is made through legis-
ton. Amendment OF the organic law
by judicial Interpretation would be
destructive OF constitutional gov
eminent: our constitution can be
amended by the people In accord
ance with the terms OF the document
Itself. and no group OF men. however
honorable or high minded. can usurp
this power without violating the fund
amental principles OF our government.
IL has been suggested that the rights
OF the states can lapse through nom
use, and that congress Is Justified IN y
the state fails to make proper use or
II. While this doctrine has been ad-
venced in the pretended interest or the
people. 1t IL az insidious and as danger
Gus an assault as has ever been made
on our constitutional form Of govern
ment. The people OF the state can act
with more promptness than the people
OF the nation, and IL they fail TO act. II
must be assumed that the people OF the
state prefer inaction.
The real purpose that those have In
view who complain OF the inaction Of
the state, is not more strict regulation
OF corporations, but the relief OF COR
porations from state regulation.
The Democratic party favots the full
exercise OF the powers OF the govern
ment for the protection OF the rights
OF the people-each government to act
within Its constitutional sphere. Our
platform demands that federal legisla-
ton be added to. not substituted for.
state legislation.
The predatory corporations have
taken advantage OF the dual character
OF our government and have tried to
hide behind state rights when prose-
cuted in the federal courts and behind
the interstate commerce clause OF the
constitution when prosecuted in the
state courts.
There is no twilight zone between
the nation and the state in which the
exploiting interests can take refuge
from both. There Is no neutral ground
where. beyond the jurisdiction of either
sovereignty. the plunderers OF the pub
lie can find safe retreat As long as
corporation confines its activities 10
the state In which IL was created, II Is
subject to state regulation only. but as
soon as II invades interstate commerce
IT becomes amenable TO federal laws as
created II and the laws OF the states
in which II does business.
How strict can these laws be? Just
as strict as may be necessary for the
protection OF the public.
Our platform outlines the regulation
deemed necessary and the regulation
Is specifically set forth In order that
our opponents may not be able to scare
the public by predicting hurtful legts-
lation. Our platform. unlike the Re-
publican platform, says what IL means
and means only what IL says.
In the Railroads Province.
A distinction Is drawn between the
railroads and other corporations. The
railroad, being a quasi-public corpora
ton. and. as such, being permitted TO
exercise 4 part OF the sovereignty OF
the state IL subject TO regulation at
the hands OF both the nation and the
state, but this regulation IL intended.
not to cripple the railroads but to In
crease their efficiency. The people at
large are AS much Interested as the
stockholders are I'm the successful oper-
alton OF the railroads. Their own pc
cuniary interests as well as their sense
OF Justice would restrain them from
doing anything that would impair the
road or reduce It's efficiency. The trav
cling public is vitality Interested In the
payment OF wages sufhcient TO com
mand the most Intelligent service. for
life as well as property Is In the hands
OF those who operate the trains. guard
the switches. and keep the track In re-
pair.
The Democratic party would distin-
Ruish between those railroad owners.
directors and managers who. recogniz
ing their obligation TO the public. earn
their salaries by conscientious devotion
to the work entrusted to them. and
those INSCRIPTIONS 'Napolcons OF FL
nance who use railroads mere
pawns In great gambling game with
out regard 10 the rights OF employees
or to the interests OF tho patrons. 1t
Is In the interest OF honest railroadln g
and legitimate investment that the
Democratic party seeks TO ascertain the
present value OF the railroad proper
ties and TO prevent for the future the
watering OF stock and the Issue OF hcti-
tious capitalization; and IL Is In the In
terest OF both the railroads and the
public that II seeks only such reduc-
tons In transportation rates as can be
made without wage reduction. without
out Injustice to legitimate investments.
The Democratic party insists that in
the matter OF regulation of railroads
both the state governments and the
federal government shall act up TO, and
yet within, their powers: for nothing
else will restore the confidence and
good will that ought to exist between
the railroads and the people. In deal.
ing with manufacturing and trading
corporations the Democratic party
draws a distinction between those cor
porations-and they constitute the
Ing and trading corporations-whicf
are engaged In legitimate effort e
supply what the consumers need. anc
the very few corporations which are
seeking by constituencies methods &
take advantage OF the public on tn
one hand, while on the other hand thel
bankrupt competitors, Cypress the pro
ducers of raw materials and deal arbi
trariiy with their employees. 1t endeav
ors to protect the innocent corporation
by visiting punishment upon those cor
| porations which are guilty of infrac
| lions OF the moral and the statute law
Here too. our platform Ia specific ant
No one can use Its language TO brighter