The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-08-15

Centration of modern business in some
degree, is both Inevitable and necessary
for national and international business
efficiency. But the existing concen-
tration Of vast wealth under a corpor-
alto system. ~unguarded and uncon-
trolled by the nation. has placed in the
hands Of a few men enormous, secret,
irresponsible power over the daily life
Of the citizen-a power unsufferable in
a free government and certain of
abuse.
This power has been abused in mo-
nopofy OF natural resources. in stock
watering, in unfair competition and
unfair privileges, and finally in sinis-
ter Influences on the public agencies
of the state and nation. We do not
fear commercial power. but we 10 in
sist that 1t shall be exercised openly,
under publicity, supervision nj regu-
lation of the most efficient sort which
will preserve its good while graduating
and preventing its evils.
~ tIldl emu we urge lIIe eSldbllSIl-
ment Of a strong federal administra-
tive commission of high standing,
which shsn maintain permanent, active
supervision over industrial corporations
engaged in interstate commerce, or
such of them as are Of public import
ance. doing for them what the gov
eminent does for the national banks,
and What Is now done for the railroads
by the Interstate Commerce commits
sion.
Such a commission must enforce the
transactions which are of public inter-
est; must attack unfair competition,
false capitalization and special privi-
iege. n by continuous trained watch
fulness guard n keep open equally to
ell the highways Of American COM
merce. Thus the business man will
have certain knowledge of the law and
will be able to conduct his business
easily in conformity herewith: the
investor will find security for his cap
ital; dividends will be rendered more
certain and the savings will be drawn
naturally and safely into the chan
nels Of trade.
Under such a system of constructive
regulation legitimate business, freed
from confusion, uncertainty and fruit
less litigation, will develop normally
in response to the energy and enter
prise of the American business man.
Patents.
We pledge ourselves to the enact
ment Of a patent law which will make
it impossible for patents to be sup
pressed or used against the public well
fare in the interests of injurious mo-
nopolies.
Interstate Commerce Commission.
We pledge our party to secure to the
Interstate Commerce commission the
power to value the physical property
of railroads. In order that the power
of the commission to protect the peo-
pie may not be impaired or destroyed,
we demand the abolition of the COM
merCe court.
Currency.
We believe there exists imperative
need of prompt legislation for the i'm
provement of our national currency
system. We believe the present method
of issuing notes through private agen-
cfes is harmful and unscientific. The
issue of currency is fundamentally a
government function, and the system
should have as basic principles sound
ness and elasticity. The control should
be lodged with the government and
should be protected from domination
or manipulation by Wall street or any
special interests.
We are opposed to the so-called Aid
rich currency bill because it's prcyis-
ions would place our currency and
credit system in private hands, not sub
ject to effective public control.
Commercial Development.
The time has come when the federal
government should cooperate with
manufacturers and producers in ex-
tending our foreign commerce. To this
end we demand adequate appropria-
of diplomatic and consular officers
solely with a view to their special fit
ness and worth, and not in c~onsidera-
ton of political expediency.
1t is imperative to the welfare of our
people that we enlarge and extend our
foreign commerce. We are pre-emin-
emily fitted to do this. because as a
people we lave developed high skill
in the art of manufacturing. Our BUSH
ness men are strong executives, strong
organizers. In every way possible our
federal government should cooperate
in this important matter. Anyone who
has had opportunity to study and OBJ
serve at first hand Germany's course
in this respect must realize that the
policy of cooperation between govern
ment and business has in comparative
ly few instances made them a leading
competitor for the commerce Of the
world. 1t should be remembered that
they are doing this on a national scale
and with large units Of business, while
the democrats would have US believe
that we should do it with small units
of business. which would be controlled
not by the national government, but
by 40 state sovereignties. Such a policy
is utterly out Of keeping with the
progress of the times and gives our
great commercial rivals in Europe
hungry for International markets
golden opportunities Of which they are
rapidly taking advantage.
Conservation.
The natural OF the nation
must be promptly developed and gener-
ally used to support the peoples needs,
but we cannot safely allow them to be
wasted, exploited, monopolized or con-
trolled against the general good. We