Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-02-25
Nebraska

service corporations by a commission
law. We regulate the service, the
charges. and, in fact. everything in
which the public has an interest, and it
is an unanswerable argument that the
people have a capacity for self-govern-
ment in the most intricate offsirs, be-
cause here where We have so many pro-
gresSive laws in Nebraska, big business
and big corporations are satisfied with
the rule OF the people. and they are doing
business today on a profitable, business
like basis and there is a friendly, gen
timely cordial feeling between big busl-
ness and the citizens of our state.
The peoples control through direct
legislation in Nebraska is no experiment.
Regulating Corporations.
Trusts and big combinations must cs
regulated and controlled by commissions
or their subordinate bodies.
Corporations and larger units Of bust
ness are the modern products OF complex
commercial transactions.
in short, 1t is by way of the corpora
ton only that business on so large q
scale as We transact itin the United States
can be successfully carried on. This
business must be in the hands OF the
public insofar as the public has an in
terest and 1t must then be regulated to
the end that vast wealth cemented to-
gether in combination shall not infringe
upon the rights Of the public.
THE rights Of the people are para
mount to every other consideration and
big business in the light of~experience
ned not hesitate to trust their cause 10
the regulation OF the people.
In my judgment. Theodore Roosevelt
In this, his greatest speech or public
paper or document has done a most
signal service to his country because he
has 50 graphically portrayed the funda-
mental and automatic principles and
policies and rights Of the people in such
plain, common language that It will be
read everywhere, from every quarter of
the compass throughout this great re-
public; and l prophesy that the Ameri-
cans will be more thoroughly aroused and
more keenly alive to their responsible
ties and TO their needs and how to get
results than they have ever been in the
history OF this nation.
ut is OF small importance. in a way.
as TO how this speech will effect the
presidential election so far as the indi-
vldual man is concerned, but whether
the next president OF the United States
be Theodore Roosevelt or someone else,
that someone else, TO a certainty, will
be a progressive. He will be a man who
not only believes in what Roosevelt has
said in this great speech. but he must
be in sympathy with II and respond to
the sentiment therein contained, and
more-he will have to convince the people
that he not only believes in these senti-
ments. but that he has the courage. the
manhood, and the ability to carry for
ward this doctrine universally known and
universally recognized, but derelict in
making II a live issue until they were
portrayed anew in this great Columbus
speech Of Theodore Roosevelt's.
Preferential Vote Coming.
I'm my judgment. this is the last time
or year in which a political machine
even II II can now-will ever nominate a
presidential candidate against the will of
the people: or. to be more specific. here
sfter the public will by preferential vote
nominate their candidates In their respec-
tive parties. Ar
III seems to me that Theodore Roose-
welt. in view-of his public record. In view
of his constructive craftsmanship, IN view
OF his lofty patriotism. without regard to
his party affiliation. makes him the log
ical successor to the presidency.
I'VE are at that precise stage Of our
development when both from moral and
commercial standpoint. an accounting
should be taken. Who should be this
expert accountant; who is best qualified
TO meet these almost superhuman bur-
dens and exaetions?
Abraham Lincoln filled in the niche
from 1861 to 1855. Who but Theodore