Exhibition—Opening Address, 
93 
growth and prosperity of her metropolis, independently consider¬ 
ed, the state of Wisconsin will always take pride. 
I shall make no excuse for discussing now, a single topic which 
is semi-political, but not partizan in its character. Occupying 
temporarily the place of executive head of this society, formed in 
the interests of farming and other industries, it is becoming that 
I should express my opinion on a subject of vital importance to 
all those industries represented around me. The exchange of our 
products with each other has been so burdened with the cost of 
transportation, that labor is robbed of its profits, and the fertile 
earth is forced to produce three bushels of grain as the price of 
getting two to market. The remedy for this evil is in the hands 
of the people. The patriots and statesmen who framed our state 
constitution, while providing that the legislature might create 
corporations, either by special or general laws, wisely ordained 
that all general laws or special acts, enacted under this provision, 
“ might be altered or repealed by the legislature at any time after 
their passage.” This section of the constitution gives to the legis¬ 
lature power to control railroads and other corporations, and to 
protect the people from extortion and oppression at their hands. 
It is my opinion that the time has now come to exercise this 
power, delegated twenty-five years ago to the legislature by the 
people for their protection. No violent remedies are needed. No 
legislation should be enacted that will weaken credit or impair 
the fair value of existing rights. But recent events have admon¬ 
ished us that the remedy should be ample, should be promptly 
offered, and should be efficacious. I measured my words when I 
designated the authors ot this constitutional provision as patriots 
and statesmen. When it was created by them, not a mile of rail¬ 
road had been made in the state; no incorporated monopoly had 
laid a spoliating and heavy hand upon the people. But they 
fore-saw the evil which was to arise so many years after their labor 
had been completed, and provided a cure. This is evidence that 
they were inspired by the highest patriotism and statesmanship, 
and challenges the everlasting gratitude of the people of the 
state. 
But I must not detain you longer. Suffice it to say that 
the past year, despite the effects of a long aud severe winter, has 
