The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-10-18

At the recent State Fair OF Wisconsin Sen
ator CARPENTER delivered an address which
had in 1t matter of more than ordinary inter-
est to the industrial classes, not only Of that
but of every State in the Union His text
was the "Growth of Monopoly in the Carry
ing Business" but his remarks showed tba,
he was fully aware of the wide ramifeation,
of that subject; that he recognized the nature
and the extent of danger which already
looms threateningly in the future. Referring
to the fact that our free institutions were at
one time considered in danger from slavery,
ne expressed firm belief that they were IN
Tar greater peril to-day from the gigantic and
growing power of combinations of capital
the consolidation of rairoad, express and tele-
graph monopolies-which are struggling to
obtain control of the destinies of this country.
He alluded to the formation of the Merchants
Union Express Company, avowedly in the
interests of the people, its brief struggle with
the allied express monopoly, and its final ca
pitulation and consolidation with the old
companies. Various new telegraph compan-
les have had the same experience, and reach
ed the same results. Senator Carpenter re-
marked: 4at Atas." a1hF laH
kallroad companies are not behind in the
wisdom OF this generation, and are now bend
lug al tnelr energies to consolidation which
VIII prevent competition, and deliver the peo
pie bound hand and foot into their tende,
keeping. For all practical purposes we hay,
put one telegraph company in the United
olates' anu put one express company. Il
nothing is done to check the present tenden
cies, it will not be long until we shall have
but one railroad company in the United
States; and then it is by no means improbable
that the three monster monopoies may Gin OF
der to perform more perfect union" "insurt
tranquility provide for their Common de
Iense" and promote their general welfare,
"ordain and establish constitution which
shall combine all three in one. m
After portraying the damages tbreatenin.
the people from this source, Mr.. Carpente
proposes two ways in which the people may
protect themselves from the encroachments o
monopoly. First, after showing that by re
cent decisions railroads which pass through
several States are wholly exempt from Stat
control he suggests that they are proper sui
jeets OF Congressional authority, and declare
that Congress should use its power TO protec
the people. Second, he holds that if mer
legislation on the part of Congress Shout
prove Intellectual then: 9l boz .t1'
The United States might build roads be
tween such prominent points as the genera
interests OF commerce require, and max,
them common highways, over which any mer
chant or farmer might run train of cars, O,
conforming to such regulations as should b
prescribed.
To Illustrate, suppose the government
snould Duid railroad with two or four track
from Chicago to New York; and throw
open to the public, under certain regulation
as TO use, and at certain rates of toll to b
paid by any person running train upon tn,
road. 1t would thus be in the power of tn,
government to regulate the carrying business
which Is So important an element in domesti,
commerce, so as fully to protect the peop e
The power to do this is questionable.
1t would appear from the occasion a,
Character of Mr. Carpenters speech that
Is giving to this subject much careful after
ton, andthat be will make it his special woll
in his place in the Senate to promote anti
monopoly legislation. There is certainly ;
field here for the exercise of the highest qua
tiles of craftsmanship, and Mr.. Carpenter
known ability will secure respectful attentic,
t. anything he may propose. Whether tn,
time has yet arrived when it is advisable f
the government to build our railroads we arr
not prepared to say, but of the wisdom O
placing our telegraph system under govern
ment control we have already expressed GU
conviction. |