The Helena independent., 1889-03-14
THE LEGISLATURE CONVENTION.
what the Lawmakers Propose TO do with
the Beef Combine.

what the Lawmakers Propose TO do with
tho Beef Combine.
ST, LOUIS, March lS-The legislative
convention reassembled this morning. A
number Of resolutions bearing on trusts.
local inspection and other matters were In
troduced and referred 10 the committee on
resolutions. and what is known as the
trust bill, now before the Texas legislature
and copies Of the inspection bills pending
In the legislatures OF Missouri, Kansas,
Indiana and other state were submitted
and referred 10 n committee on needed leg.
lslation.
At o o'clock the convention was called
10 order and the committee on resolutions
submitted a report recommending that all
resolutions referred yesterday be laid on
the table, which was done. The commit
tee also begged leave 10 suggest that as the
conference was called In reference TO the
beef and pork combine or trust as designat-
ed In the Kansas resolution, that Is all there
Is for the convention 20 consider, and In
the opinion OF the committee the
only effective way TO reach Il Is
by Legislation, II the same can be
done without encroaching upon the organic
law Of land. The report was adopted. The
committee on needed legislation presented
as a desirable measure bill submitted by
the Texas delegation, which will probably
become law In Texas. This BILL deals
with the definition OF trusts and penalties
10 be inflicted for violation OF the act.
The section defining trusts Is rs follows:
"T0 make or enter into or carry out any con-
tract or agreement OF any kind or description
by which they shall bind or have bound
themselves not TO sell, dispose or transport
laIA ..ttt
trade, use, merchandise, commerce or con-
sumption below the common standard fig
ure, or by which they shall agree In any
manner TO keep the price OF said articles,
commodity or transportation at fixed OF
graduated figure, or by which they shall In
any manner establish or settle the price OF
any article or commodity OF transportation
between them or themselves or others "a
preclude free and unrestricted competition
among themselves or others, OF by which
they shall agree 10 pool, combine or unite
| any Interest they may have In connection
with the sales OF transportation of such ar.
ticle or commodity, that its price might In
any manner be affected"
The clause concerning the infiiction OF
punishment provides that any corporation
| violating any provision OF the act shall for
felt Its charter and franchise and its corpo-
rate existence shall cease. Any foreign
corporation under similar conditions shall
be denied the right 10 do business In the
state. Any violation Is also declared q
conspiracy against trade aud upon convic-
tion carries fine and Imprisonment, the
maximum being $1,000 and ten years
After few slight changes the bill wai
adopted.
The second bill introduced by the com
mittee on needed legislation was practi
| cally the Nebraska bill providing for the
appointment OF local inspectors and the
Inspection OF all cattle, sheep, or swine.
twenty-four hours before Strengthening.
Penalties are prescribed for the evasion Oi
inspection or sale OF meat taken from ami.
mails not Inspected. lt does not apply u
canned, smoked, cured or salt meats.
warm debate ensued, resulting In an nd
journment TO 3 p. m, In order that the bill
might be printed. The Texas men elaine,
the adoption OF the preamble would be
fatal mistake, as, II the convention shoul,
announce 10 the world the necessity O
legislating 10 protect home consumer
against the sale OF diseased meat, it woul,
result In shutting American meats out O
all foreign markets., and be severe blow
10 the producers. There was a lively dis
cnssi0n OF the bill by sections at the even
ing session, and after a prolonged debate
lnsting until after midnight, IN which tn
Texas and Illinois delegates were bitterl
opposed 10 the measure the bill wa
adopted by vote OF 46 As 10 25i(, and III
convention adjourned sine die.