The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1889-05-18
TRUSTS OR COMBINATION

In an able article under the above caption
in the Philadelphia Record of a recent date
Hon. W. NJ. Rapsher, of Mauch Chunk,
cogently remarks in conclusion:
"Is this "bugaboo?' From the earliest
times, when the common law was in its
formative periods, until now all mercenary
combination that attempted to CONTROL aud
monopolize the markets and necsssaries of
life, no matter for how short time, were
III law held to be conspiracies. ] he law
remains the same, but those gigantic ag-
gregatons of capital and brains which now
exist def the law, and too often control, OF
at least improperly influence, the law-mak
ing and the administering powers of
our country. In my opinion here lies, after
all, by far the greatest difficulty,
Mr. McMurtre distinctly recognizes this
difficult, and, after recommending Dribes
for information by forfeitures to inure to
the informer where property is used for for
hidden purposes, saws: IF the Legislature
is really in earnest and the Courts but mod
erateY faithful the evil will be extirpat ed. :"
believe that If the equity powers and iur-
isdiction of the State and Federal Courts
were enlarged so as to clearly empower
them to restrain the wrong-doers by iniunc
ton, and to compel the Trusts to perform
required things by mandamus and attach
ment, with authority TO impose costs and
expenses of all sorts upon them and make
certain acts of the Trusts prlma facie evil
dence of illegal combination, that it would
prove to be highly efficient and satisfact-
ory remedy To abolish limited partner
ships and corporation charters would no
doubt make the remedy worse than the dis
ease. Hence, If we naturally shrink. as Mr..
McMurtrie thinks, from enforcing crimi-
nal penalty ITO reach the rich and infuen-
tial wrong -doers,' let us give ample equity
jurisdiction to our State and Federal Courts,
with amp provision for all expenses in
cident TO the litigation, and we shall have
most suitable forum to here and deter
mine upon principles of equity these great
questions of public concern. Let us by APP
propriate legislation remove all doubt as to
the duty of the Attorney General to inter-
fere, and also remove all doubt as to the
powers and jurisdiction of the Courts, and
the evil will then soon depart, If the said
authorities will perfSrm their plain duties
II they refuse to, let them be removed from
Office.
1t may seem superAuous, but shall con-
clude by calling attention to the claims oi
the Single Tax party, in reference TO its
policy upon Trusts; ii strongly insists that
b. the abolition Of all tariff laws aud all
taxes upon industry, and by placing all
taxation upon land values, irrespective OF
Improvements, that Trusts would not exist.
Indeed, it will be remembered that during
the recent Presidential campaign many
prominent Democrats took the position
that the so-called protective tariff iostered
and protected Trusts, and that if it were
wiped out Trusts would soon die a natura
death. The Single Tax party applies the
knife of reform much lower down and
nearer the root of the evil. But, however
this may be. we cannot wait for such reform
remedies; we must have something sooth-
ing In the meantime