Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-02-01
HUGHES NAEES STATEMENT
Lauds President Roosevelt for Wig
orous Opposition to Abuses.
FOR STRONGER ANTITRUST LAW
Combinations in Restraint of Trade
should BE Made Impossible, but
Regulated Agreements May
he Permitted.

should BE Made impossible, hut
Regulated Agreements May
Ne Permitted.
NEW YORK. Jan. S.-In his address be-
fore the Republican club Of the city or
New York this evening Governor Hughes
made his first statement respecting ma
tional issues. This was done in response
TO resolutions recently adopted committing
the club to the advocacy OF Governor
Hughes candidacy for the office OF presl-
dent Of the United States
In the course Of his speech Governor
Hughes said.
Since I took office I have sought to
make Il clear that 1 would not become
Involved in factiunal strife or USE the
powers Of office to further anT personal
interest. am and have been constantly
soHcttous that the administration OF the
affairs Of this state shall not be embar-
rassed by collateral considerations and that
Every question snail be presented and de
gestton OF ulterior motives. For this rea-
son have avoided gratuitous discussion
OF questions foreign to my official duty.
But, when in Justice to those who have
honored me with their confidence. and to
the party, which We all desire should act
freely and with all Information. u becomes
duty to speak, I have no desire to remain
silent. Nor should I I'm any event care 70
preserve availability at the expense OF can
dor.
We are contemplating a new admiuistra.
ton at the close of one which to a degree
almost unparalleled has impressed the pop
ular imagination and won the confidence
Of the people. The country Is under lasting
obligation to President Roosevelt for his
vigorous opposition to abuses and for the
slFpng impulse he has given to movements
Tor their correction. Differences Of opinion
now, as always, exist with regard to the
best means OF solving some OF the ex-
ITuTUniE
scnted But those who earnestly desire
progress and the establishment OF our se-
dealing and recognition of equal rights.
appreciate the great service ne has rem
dered and the fundamental importance OF
the purposes he has had in view We
shall have in the next campaign notable
vantage ground. gained through the gem
erai admiration of his strong personality
ana the popular appreciation ~ the inten-
sity Of his desire to promote the righteous
conduct Of affairs and the welfare OF his
fellOwmcn.
Long Battle Against Privilege.
The battle for free Institutions has been
a struggle against special privilege Ii il
not won merely by the creation of new
forms OF government. Against every at
tempt 70 make government the instrument
OF selllsh purposes. a. free people must
constantly be on the alert Every fran
chise granted by the people is a privilege
lustlfled only by considerations of the pub
nc welfare and the conditions of its eNer-
else should be such as to insure the per
formance of public obligation There must
De no encroachment on the common right
Tor the purpose Of serving the interests
or the few at the expense Of the many
approve the Roosevelt extension Of the
authority of the Interstate Commerce COM
mission by what is known as the rate bill
ana believe that the commission should
nave the most ample powers for purposes
or investigation and supervision and for
making rules and orders which will enable
II to deal to the fullest extent possible
within constitutional limits with Interstate
transportation in all It's phases.
That is just policy The power of con-
gresss TO fiN-rates for intersf Atm 4ra psuosf
uon 50 as to prevent improper diserfmina-
tions and TO compel carriage upon reason-
able terms is undoubted.
Stronger Anti-Trust 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 definite. Sweeping
concentrations, of uncertain meaning do
not aid, but rather embarrass, the prose-
euuon or those who are guilty Of pernicious
pracIlces. Combinations and practices in
unreasonable restraint Of trade and which
menace the freedom of interstate commerce
suoulu De condemned in precise terms. At
the same time provisions may we'll be
made Tor joint agreements, under proper
circumstances. as 20 railroad rates, which
shOGlu be subject to the approval of the
interstate Commerce commission.
various means have been suggested-of
doubtful validity and still more doubtful
uIAlty-lO prevent oppression through the
conduct of large enterprises and to secure
the enforcement of the law against illegal
attempts to monopolize and the various
devices resOrted to in unlawful restraint of
trade. In my judgment, the more effective
course is explicit definition Of what is
wrong and adequate punishment Of the
guily' such laws. like laws in general
which are definite and supported bv public
sentiment, are 10 a very large extent self
executing That is. they are generally
obeyed.
Against Fines for Corporations.
/ am not IN favor Of punishment in tbs
SHAPE OF fines upon corporations, except
Ior minor offenses The burden of fines
transferred to the public or is borne hy
stockholders the innocent as well as the
guilty. Nor am | impressed by the argu-
ihehl lhdl American iuries will generally
be indisposed To convict where the evidence
rs clear because the crime Is punishd bv
Imprisonment OF the offenders But m tbs
Jaw he definite and the evidence warrants
the presentation of the case TO the flI,v m
ls better, IN my judgment that The re-
sporsibtlity for failure To convict should lie
WIN tne jury than that the conviction
should be followed BY penalties which are
elthtr INADEQUATE or bear unustly upon
Offense
do not believe in arbitrary action. We
ueslIe prosperity. We are anxious that
the workers Of the land for the extension
OF INDUSTRY and commerce, and that there
@ @aHould pe Int widest diffusion of blessings
among a contented people.
To attain these ends the rule Of the people
must 5c the rule of reason and very effort
must be dominated by the sense OF Justice
We must be patient impartial and tho--
ousn' INVESTIGATION must precede action.
Eoou VIII must displacC passion. and tEc
sole motive must be To seek the truth and
to do the right
Plea for United Party.
Fellow republicans. I do not come before.
gu ln any spirit OF rivalry or self-sgekulq
Intft are many republicans who by virtue
ot their character and distlnpuishsd serS,
Ices are worthy Of the highest honor The
party can bestow. / ask no favor and I
% %nlaks 10 claim l desire that the party
snail act for its best interest
we must not underestimate the labors OF
ne nc next campaign, IL viii be a hard fought
battle We cannot expect victory unless we
are united and nothing should be done 10
lulpefl success In this state I appeal To
you ln the name OF the party 10 which
you are all loyal to forget every personui
ultterence and 10 make the work yvhirb
precedes the convention a fitting preug-1-
tion for the united effort which VIII Je
later essential