The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-28
MR.. SPEED AND THE TRUST
MERELY A LOCAL AGENT, AND AS
SUCH NOT LIABLE.
An Application Made to Gov. Taylor for
Requisition Papers to Bring the De-
PENDANTS From Missouri for Trial
An Interview With Gen. Peters.

Mr.. John X. Speed as local agent for
the 81. Louis firm of cotton bagging cor
nerers, is not responsible or liable for the
oilense OF that firm in entering into COM
bination to sap the liie.blood OF the cotton
growers.
Mr.. Speed and number of his friends
gathered the impression from THE AP-
PEAL's published interview with Attorney
General Peters on the subject, that he
was, and The APPEALS attention was
promptly called to it.
A reporter afterward met the attorney
general and engaged him in another gen
erl conversation on the bagging trust,
one Of the objects being to learn definitely
what Mr. Speeds relations with ii really
were.
"Do You think the indicted parties viii
be convicted2" the general was asked.
THAT is a matter for the court to de-
eide. II Gov. Taylor issues the requsi-
ton which | have applied for, and the
Governor of Missouri honors il, the case
will be pushed 20 a trial, and proper ver-
dict no doubt be reached. The oilense
charged is only q misdemeanor.
"Are there any preccdents for the ac-
ton your court has taken2"
AT common law combination like the
bagging trust il indictable, and In several
OF the States similar combinations have
been held illegal, as being injurious TO
public trade and commerce. The trust in
Question seems to be within the province
OF the law"
"why is the indictment only against
non-rcsidents2"
This action was taken because they
were the only parties who are charged 10
have formed the conspiracy. Mr.. John
X. Speed is understood 10 be the agent OF
the combination in Memphis, but Mr..
Speed was not one Of the conspiraiors, and
the facts disclosed in no way reflected on
him. thrust OF this character, inaugurated
in distant State, may sell Its articles
here through an innocent agent, who may
disapprove OF trusts altogether; and IL is
the offending nonresident coniederaies
whom the law holds responsible, and not
an innocent home agent Such nm agent
may sell on salary or commission, and
have no knowledge OF the original conspir-
acy, and no connection with II. Mr..
Speed was not indicted by the grand jury
because the facts in no degree connect
him with the conspiracy. and the jury or
court did not care TO interfere with any OF
his legitimate business. They merely
wished TO reach the conspirators In another
state, who formed the trust 10 enhance
the price OF bagging and Cypress the pub
lie ia its trade aud commerce. The ques-
ton involved Is an important one, and /
hope lis decision in this case may deter
mine the Legality OF the trusts which are
now 80 numerous and daily growing in
this country"
"You observed, suppose, that Benja-
min Graft said he knew and cared moth
ing about the Indictment and that there
was no telling what a country grand jury
would do. intimating in the latter state
ment that we were in the backwoods
down here2"
Eyes. that was rather rough on US, but
Benjamin will learn that the finding Of n
country grand jury has ~ much force as
any other. and wen try and give him and
his associates as thorough n hearing rs
though the cnscs were tried In that great
city, Chicago"