The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1908-02-27

Special interests must keep their
hands Off the government in city.
state and nation. The common well
fare must be the supreme law. The
Hobbies which have been maintained
in legislative halls, the efforts to per-
vert administration by securing the
service for particular interests of
those who pose as the servants of
the people. the corruption of the sole
means by which the people can ex-
press their will, have been the effect
i've cause of distrust of government
and furnishes the most serious pre-
text for assaults upon our institu-
tions.
Esteem Good officials.
But while we insist upon the adj
ministratlon and the unselflsh fidelity
of public officers, we must visit de-
served contempt upon those who
profit by indiscriminate destruction
of men in public life. If the people
would be served faithfully. they must
show their esteem of faithful SER
vice.
Wherever there are public rights in
forests, in lands. in mines. in water
powers, they must be safeguarded
md protected from spoilation.
Wherever the public grants privi-
lege, It must be upon consideration of
the common benefit and under con-
Htttnnc tt,ht To ~ In
proper return for the grant. We
must guard our ranges, our coal de-
posts, our public lands, our forest
treasures by suitable restrictions.
No selfish interest must be permitted
to seize with covetous hand, the pub
lie domain.
1t must also be taken to be set
tied policy that there shall be COM
plete. effective and Just supervision
of our railroads. do not believe In
arbitrary action with regard to these
important concerns either by congress
of by state legislatures of by COM
missions. The RAILROADS are not the
enemies, but the servants of the peo-
pie. To secure proper service, they
must be subject to regulation. 1t
must be taken as firmly established
that the evils of rebating and of I'M
just discrimination will not be toler-
ated and that adequate and impair
tial service upon reasonable terms
Will be insisted upon. There must be
machinery through which public OBJ
legations as defined by law may be
enforced. This can best be obtained
through an administrative body such
as the Interstate Commerce Com
mission. The question of rates must
be determined after full consideration
of all pertinent facts to the end that
the requirements of impartiallty and
reasonableness may be complied
with, while at the same time. a fair
return to the owners OF the property
may be assured. Nothing should be
lacking in administrative powers for
the attainment of these objects.
Supervise Securities
1t is also essential that there should
be efficient supervision of the issues
of securities to avoid the evils of in
tiation and of over-capitalization.
We wish to see American Industry
expand. We desire every advantage
of economic organizations: every just
opportunity for the display of talent
and Inventive skill: every possible
Improvement in the process of man.
ufacture; everything in short, which
enhances the opportunity of labor
and Its fruitful employment at good
wages and which develops and en-
courages trade. AT the same time,
we desire to put an end to unfair
practices, unjustihable preferences
and oppressive proceedings by which.
apart from proper economin advant-
ages or superior skill in industry, ri
walls are barred from equal opportu-
mites and thrust out of the way or
destroyed
Definite Laws.
Laws. state and federal, should be
as definite as possible, and should
apply with becoming precision to the
practices sought to be reached. 1t
does not make very great difference
whether those engaged in improper
enterprises keep its proceeds in ono
pocket or in three, or whether their
transactions are detailed in one or
more sets of accounts. The way 10
get rid Of abuses is to attack them
directly. And I believe the most eff
ficacious means is definition and pro-
scription, and adequate punishment
of offenders. The punishment is
most salutary when visited upon the
guilty individuals. Few men can be
hired to go to JAIL And If offenses
which public sentiment recognizes to
be of grave character are punished
by imprisonment. the law is more
likely to be obeyed and the punish
ment to have its intended effect.
In our legislation and administra-
ton, we must favor no class. but
protect the interests of all our cit.
liens. While the nation may devote