New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-01
THE GREAT AN1LMoNOPOLIST.


and oppressed people when Mr. F. Il. Thurber
pranced into the arena as their champion.
Thousands of them did not know up to that
moment that they Tere oppressed, or lhat
several great and grinding monopoleS-chleiy
railroad and transportation companies-"ere
sitting in rocking chairs on their slomaclIS anu
making light of their distresses The monop-
oly-rdden and oppressed knew in sort OF
general way that when they travelled by ral
or otherwise some one came around
and collected fare of them, and that
on the rare occasions when they
sent freight they had to pay transportation
charges. And they knew quite definitely what
thev were paying for wien they purchased
tickets or paid freight; that it was nothing
like buying butter, for instance, with the
chances of getting oleomargarine. But they
did not know they were Oppresscd-happy
people-did not know that in the single item
of sweat they were furnishing water power
for several wealthy corporations without
charge. while the tears of their widows and
orphans were forming reserve water supply,
and the rags of the whole family were pour
ing into the hOppers Of the paper mills OF our
common country. OF this state OF things they
were in blissfu ignorance till Thurber's large
and bulky chin began to swing loose IN their
defence.
Then they first learned that they were the
victims of oppression and tyranny; i'll short,
of Monopoly-with a very large NJ. To say
that the masses of the people hail Thurber as
benefactOr, or that they are rising up all
over the country and calling him blessed,
would be perhaps carrying it too far. Ii may
be, and no doubt il, true of several persons
who are Immediately connected with him III
his great work of suppressing mOnopoes, but
the masses, we are panied to say, don't rise up
for a cent. 1t pains us still more to remark
that there is a disposition on the part of the
masses to regard ThurbeT with suspicion.
They would be glad to believe in his oeomar-
earine as butter, and in him as a reformer.
But with the taste of the one III their mouths,
they cannot but be incredulous of the profess
sions of the other. Still. we believe he Is
beginning to be appreciated. For it should be
borne in mind that he, like his OleOmarSarine,
is an acquired taste. Nobody can like either
of them upon the first trial. But seen too oft
familiar with the taste, They're first endured
then pticd-then embraced. The masses
must be worked up to IL realizing sense OF the
tyranny they are under from the grinding
monopolies which cruelty compel +. b. Thurber
& CO. to pay freight on their goods and fares
for their drlmmers. This is being done by
means of the tracts of the Autobiography
League.
But while the masses are slowly beginning
to recognize Thurber as their champion against
Monopoly, the inquiry is sometimes made what
he wants TO do and how he is going to do it.
Thurber being proverbay modest himself, we
answer for him. The house of +. b. ThuIber
g. Co. have 10 desire to establish monopoly
of the grocery business-perish the thought !!
But what groceries are sold in the State of
New York they would like to sell-at a small
margin of profit of course. To do this they
must be able to deliver their goods at any
point in the State at such rates of freight as
will enable them to put down all local COM
petition. Now if they can have a Railroad
Commission authorized to compel the rail-
roads to carry the 1hurber freight at Thurber
prices the thing may be effected and the
grinding railroad monOpolies be put down, to
the great joy Of the masses, who seldom travel
and never send freight. This, if the people
can only be brought to see it, will be great
public benefaction. II might be said, of course,
that it would give Thurber Il Co. monopoly
of the grocery business. And it would be open
to that objection were it any other house than
Thurber g. Co. The name of Thurber would
be sufficient guarantee against anything like
that He is opposed to mOnopolies. 1t is said
to be sure, that he monopozes all the side
walks around his store with his carts but he
leaves passage for pedestrians in the mid
die of the street, doesn't he That's no mo-
nopoly.
And we feel certain from our knowledge of
the man that should he be able to carry out
his present plans he will not monopolize the
grocery business, but in a great many small
towns will be willing to give the retail grocer
a chance-that il, if the retail grocer is n
deserving man.
PRIVATE NAD-HOUSES