Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 November 1896 — Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 [ADVERTISEMENT]

BRYAN'S APPEAL FOll BiILIW ffl. DN February, 1893, there was a debate in Congress on \ a bill to compel railroads engaged in interstate com- ■ merce to use on their ears couplers which would protect the lives and limbs of their employes. There I was opposition to the bill, but William Jennings Bryan urged its passage. He said: «Sjl / SIL 1 y t I for one am willing to stay here till tills session ends, because A'l 1 th'nk this bill should be passed. 1 believe It is dictated by hujj&k. inanity, and lam not willing. If I can prevent It, that these men shall be killed and maimed Just because some of the railroads ■*Jr* fl (sHaw ’ Insist that they cannot afford to put these couplers on their cars. The only objection that 1 have heard made, the only real one In "F ffnMTTyf I that letter of Mr. Raines found on our desks this morning, is that / lII’ -’I?-*'/' 11 would cost $75 a car, or $75,000,000. Some 22,000 persons have been Injured. Those of us who have associated with these Jf- —— nien know that there is scarcely one of them employe I for any *- -J 1 - length of time In railroading who does not have a hand off, or fingers off, erfoot off, or is maimed in soine way, and we have had produced here proof of the startling number killed. Now I ask, Mr. Speaker, does It not appeal to us, who are members of the only body which can give this relief, because States are powerless—does It not appeal to us and to our humanity to pass sueh laws as will give protection to tho lives and limbs of these people? The doctrine of non-interference has been Invoked time and often in vain, to protect the Individual from trespasses upon his rights, and now, In lids latter day, the doctrine of non-interference Is Invoked when the corporations of this country seek to trample upon tho rights of the people and to disregard even the common duties they owe to humanity. I insist, Mr. Speaker, that we who are in favor of this bill and In favor of giving to thes i people that protection which the laws of Congress alone can give—l Insist that we shall be as zealous In behalf of this bill as are those on the other side who see fit to oppose It. I do not question their motives, but If we can keep this question in this position, staying! >ere night and day, tho country will notice It and public opinion will be brought to bear ui>on It, and we are willing to trust to our being sustained by public opinion. The platforms of both the great political parties have declared in favor of It; and, as has been well stated here to-day, before the election a bill was passed here without a division. At that time wo who now favor it had upon our side many of those who oppose it now, or at least their oppo-ltlon was not then made known. Now we are supported by the platforms of both political parties supported by the almost unanimous sentiment of the press, and supported, as I believe, by the great sentiment of the people of this count y, cun afford to stand here and tight this battle. Upon the one side are the Interests of thesp mon and their protection, and upon the other the cost to the railroads which this reform wilt impose if it is carried out. I ask, Mr. Speaker, how can we measure the value of human life? How can you say that $75,000,000 expended in equipping cars outweighs 2,000 people killed and 22,000' maimed? We may talk this way about the lives of others, but what if these were our sons or brothers? I ask of any one of these gentlemen what price ho would set upon the life or security of a relative? And how dare we hold at a trifling price the lives and welfare of those not kin to us, while we hold as a priceless boon tho lives and welfare of those to whom we are related by blood? I appeal, Mr. Speaker, to those who arc In favor of this bill to stand by our rights here as a majority and.protect the lives of these people who plead to us for protection.