The Cairo bulletin., 1908-02-23
NO OWNERSHIP
| OF RAILROADS
SENATOR BuRkETT SAYS lT IS
INCONSISTENT WITH OUR
SYSTEM.
llfan mann
REPUBLIC WAS BORN
OUT OF Mighty Contest of Individual.
ism and ternaism--Goyern.
ment Ownership viii Be
Revolution.

'"pnih6toht req. 2l.--Speaking al
the annual conyocation of George
Washington university today at the
Belasco theater, Senator Burkett chose
lof ms subject "The Protest Of AIMEE
lcanlsm Against the Government Own.
efship OF Railroads. He said in part:
FOR century we have existed M
q nation, and operated under a policy
Ithat the function of government is 10
govern; that its prerogatives shouId
&c no further than the life, liberty.
and welfare of its citizens in a super.
Vlslls capacity, and to its own honor
and perpetuity The struggles Of
trade and commerce have been left
g individuals, and the government
mas contented itself with maintaining
harmony and equal opportunity. AMI
II today we shall undertake govern.
ment ownership of railroads we win
take step backwards, set aside every
teaching cf the fathers, every prin-
clpie OF the constitution, and tramplo
upon every tradition of the republic,
There are three considerations
that call for attention three phases
OF each question that much be dete~
mined; The constitutional phase the
financial phase, and the political
phase. Is it constitutional? Is If
economic? Is it polite? The question
then becomes:
First: Is 1t possible constitr.
lohall, economically, politically?
Second; Is it dvisable-consti
.Rtlohaliy' economically politically?
The really serious question that
us is that Of advisability.
iranting as 7 do that the first question
! possibility cal be answered afrirna.
lively, | am not willing to admit tbal
atter In my opinion. government
Wnership of railroads is not advisable
rom any of the three standpoints that
have mentioned. 1t is not advisable
onstitutionally, economically or %
tically
Granting that it would be posgiblal
! amend the constitution, deny that
would be advisable: or granting {
lat the constitution would not need q
nending, | am not willing that it \
lould be stretched. q
There are abuses under govern .
ent ownership and under private
worship. But no country on earth
'er assumed government ownershipI =
stop abuses. "a
The question that has troubled ey. I,
other country has been how to get !,
ilroads. In America that has beenj Il
r smallest grief. With few ex 4
ptions railroads have preceded de- or
ma. Just why in this young coun. ri
capital has been so plentiful and ki
daring may not easily be answered. RI
the fact remains, that nowhere are
lroad facilities so adequate for ey- ed
portion OF the country as in the hi
tied States. in
SO ! say that circumstances, DO as
cal and commercial, the conditions hi
a people, social and financial, have ar
the relation OF govern. lin
nts to their railroads But none
those influences impel America to da
eminent ownership Apprehension NV
a mighty protest against paternal pc
we are born as republic, out of =.
great contest of individualism VI
inst paternalism. The traditions of 81
republic and the inspiration of her va
pie revolt against the antediluvian
OF paternalism. In other countries
litions have been different. In one .ha
n or another they have been gov wo
I'd by monarchs and patriarchs. mas
generations the divine right of
gs and the humble dependence of
individual has impregnated the {
7 soul Of the people. The govern. a 8
{ Is everything-th citizen moth ing
In those localities there is gov. ter,
nent ownership of railways. 1t is Sat
itonal with them. 1t is a part of loo
/ commercial education-they are !"
fled with what the government
DO. and the government does what 7
n. 1t is tradition there-it would new
evolutionary here. It would be was
: thrust to the very heart of our dro
polite. 1t would mean revolu- led
not only to our political ideals. tha'
to our commercial affairs. II "hl
Is pateTnalism in politics and So
im in commerce." lar