Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1882-01-12
THE ANTI. MONOPOLY LEAGUE

During the two or three years past
there has been growing sentiment al
throughout the Unite States, that cor
porate powers ought to becom" more
restricted by Legislation, that these pow
srs, as granted, are fast absorbing the
earnings Of the people as well as their
liberties, and building up for themselves
. monied aristocracy and hierarchy
that threatens to rule the country to
the subversion of the liberties of the
masses of the people. This sediment
il not without some foundation It
has seized some of the great minds Of
the country, like those of Judge Jerry
Black, Judge David Davis, Senator
Windham and many more leading men.
They have spoken and written upon
the question on many occasions, and
the facts they have brought forward
and arguments they have used, have
permested the country, and no success
full attempt has yet been made to refute
the arguments they have used, or deny
the facts they have elected. Their
views have eliminated into form and
produced what is denomina'ed Ma
tional anti-Monopoly League, organized
in the city Of New York, with such
men as L. Z. Chittenden, President;
Henry Nichols, Secretary; F. B. Thur
bur, Treasurer; Peter Cooper, John W.
Raglan aud Morris NJ. Paisted, as vice.
presidents. This league have issued
and sent broad cast throug bout the
Union, an address to the American
people, as well as numerous other doc
uments setting forth the reasons for
and the objects of their organization
~ we'll az = condensed statement of
the principles Of the organization, and
recommended the formation of subord-
mate leagues in every State and Ter
ritory in the Union. The object polit-
ically, in so far as it seeks to influence
both State and National legislation, to
place restrictions and limits upon the
power Of corporations, to prevent ex
tortion upon the people, and force them
to exercise their cooperate rights, justly
and equitably in all matters that affect
tho public. We see that some Of the
journals assume to claim that the prime
object Of the League is to form new
political party, with the purpose of
nominating Judge Black for President.
But nothing in the programme of the
League, as developed, has the least
squirting towards Presidential contes
But it does seek to elect Congressman
and members of State and Territorial
Legislatures, who will be pledged to
enact such laws as will be just between
the people and the corporations. To
this purpose no just man can raise an
objection and in this respect The objects
OF the League commend themselves to
every citizen in the whole country,
who is not tied'to the body of some
corporation, and has thereby lost his
freedoms rs an American citizen. But
Is some predict, should the orgauixa-
tien develop itself into mere Presi-
dent making machine, or be used mere.
y for the ACCOMPLISHMENT Of a few
politicians without farthering the great
principles enunciated, and protect ng
the true interests of the masses of the
people of the country again st the uu-
just encroachments Of capital, then we
shall repadiate the whole movement.
Till we can see some development of
> tendency in this last direction, We
shall be prepared to endorse and urge
the movement and, per chance, should
the movement become successful, in
securing throughout the Union. that
class Of legislation that would properly
balance the rights between the produc.
ers of the country and monied classes
Who live by their interest and their
speculative profits, the country would
progress more rapidly in all those
achievements that make g,eat, pros.
porous and wise people. We shall
watch the progress of this League with
much interest. Next week We will
publish the declaration of principles
put forth by the authority of the Ma
tional League, that our people may
have them to consider aud form thei,
judgment.