The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-01-31

ed. All their wealth and power can
not protect them. But IL often hap.
pens that the effort to imprison a Civ
en- defendant Is certain TO be futile,
while II is possible 10 fine him or TO
fine the corporation OF which he is
head; so that, in other words, the only
way OF Furnishing the wrong is by I'm
ing the corporation, unless We are con-
tent 10 proceed personally against the
minor agents. The corporation law
yers to whom | refer and their en-
ployers are the men mainly RESPONSE
BILE for this state OF things, and their
responsibility is shared with all who
ingeniously oppose the passing OF just
and effective laws. or who fail TO ex-
ecute them when they have been put
on the statute books.
Stockholders shouldn't "sauesi"
The president takes up the subject
OF the rights OF innocent stockhold-
ers." declaring that the stockholder is
rot innocent who voluntarily purchases
stock in a corporation whose methods
and management he knows TO be COT
rupt, and adds that Stockholders are
bound to try TO secure honest manage
ment or else are estopped from COM
planning about the proceedings the
government finds necessary In order TO
compel the corporation TO obey the
law
The president continues
The business" which Is hurt by the
movement for honesty is the kind OF
business which, In the long run, IL
pays the country TO have hurt. II Is
the kind OF business which has tend
ed to make the very name high
finance" a term of scandal to which
all honest American men OF business
should join In putting an end. The
special pleaders for business dishon-
esty. in denouncing the present adj
ministration for enforcing the law
against the huge and corrupt corpora
tons which have defied the law. also
denounce II for endeavoring to secure
sadly needed labor legislation. such as
a far-reaching law making employers
liable for injuries to their employees
Our opponents have recently been
bitterly criticising the judges referred
to In the accompanying communica-
tons from the Standard OIL Co. and
the Santa Fee railroad for having i'm
posed heavy fines on these two cor
porations; and yet these same critics
OF these two judges exhaust them
selves In denouncing the most respect
ful and cautious discussion OF the Of
fetal action OF Judge which results
In immunity to wealthy and powerful
wrongdoers or which renders nugatory
temperate effort to better the condi-
tons Of life and work among those
OF our fellow countrymen whose need
is greatest,
In conclusion the president says:
Didn't Precipitate Panic.
Il do not for a moment believe that
the actions OF this administration have
brought on business distress; so far
as this is due to local and not world
wide causes, and to the actions OF any
particular individuals, 1t is due to
the speculative folly and fragrant dis
honesty OF few men OF great wealth,
who seek to shield themselves from
the effects of their own wrongdoing
by ascribing its results TO the actions
of those who have sought to put
stop to the wrongdoing. But II 1t were
true that to cut out rottenness from
the body polite meant momentary
check to an unhealthy seeming pros
perity, should not for one moment
hesitate to put the knife to the cor
ruption. On behalf of all our people,
on behalf no less Of the honest men
Of means than Of the honest man who
earns each days livelihood by that
days sweat OF his brow, 1t is neces-
sary to insist upon honesty in business
and politics alike. in all walks OF life,
In big things and In little things; upon
just and fair dealing as between man
and man. Those who demand this are
striving for the right in the spirit of
Abraham Lincoln when he said:
Fondly do we hope, frevently
do we pray, that this mighty
scourge may speedily pass aaway.
Yet. II God wills that 1t continue
until all the wealth piled by the
bondsmen's two hundred and fifty
years of unrequired toll shall be
sunk. and until every drop OF
blood drawn with the lash shall
be paid by another drawn with
the sword, as was said three
thousand years ago. 30 still It
must be said, The judgments OF
the Lord are true and righteous
altogether
with malice toward none;
with charity for all; with firm
ness in the right, as God gives US
TO see the right. let US strive on
TO finish the work we are in"
In the work we OF this generation
are In. there Is. thanks be to the Al
mighty, no danger OF bloodshed and
no use for the sword: but there 10
grave need OF those stern qualities
shown alike by the men Of the north
and the men OF the south In the dark
days when each valiantly battled for
the light as II was given each to see
the light. Their spirit should be our
spirit. as we strive to bring nearer the
day when greed and trfckery and cum
ming shall be trampled under feet by
those who fight for the righteousness
that exalteth a nation.