The advocate., 1890-02-20

portions OF an overwhelming panic. A few
foreseo tho great threatening evil, foroseo
consequences that mean disaster, poverty
and ruin, II some open, decided stand Is
not AZ once taken against the ignorant IN
temperance Of law-making bodies and
court interpretations Of insane Justice"
Further no says the charters of 700 Missouri
corporationsan 200 foreign corporations
doing business in Missouri have been re-
voIed by Secretary Of State Lesuer for re-
fusing TO comply with the Antitrust Law.
"Of the 800 revoked, at least half have al
ready ceased TO exist" Trusts are organ
lied TO suspend the law OF competition and
grind the faces of the poor Illinois, Mis-
souri,, and presume many other States,
have seen proper TO legislate against them,
and when Mr.. Monopolist aAirms the right
10 fix the price Of products to suit his greedy
notions, regardless Of supply and demand,
disregarding the principle that the "labor-
or is worthy OF his hire" and the courts
say he must be suppressed, he is struck
with holy horror. The fact Of the case is
Mr. Monopolist has 30 completely con-
trolled the price the farmer shall pay for
what he buys, as well as the price he shall
receive for his product, that any change on
that line is looked upon with disgust.
The first principle Of common law is
that whatever prevents competition by any
one in a public employment, creates mo-
nopoly, and the courts have decided many
times that It was detrimental TO public good
and may be suppressed. To coustrue II
otherwise would be an act Of robbery and
destroy or cripple all business that creates
the wealth of the Nation. The gradual
lessening of the farmers profits has created
this immense mortgage indebtedness and
the criphng Of the very industry, which
makes IL possible for other branches OF
trade TO exist. The issue is right at hand
and the sooner the inanciers the legislators,
tho politicians and all others concerned un-
dorstand il, the better il will be for all con-
Cerned. The farmers Of this country, the
producers of all the wealth, are awakening
to the situation and the politicians must
trim their sails accordingly. Party politics
will cut very poor figure in future cleo
tions and the farmers by their votes will de-
termlne whether trusts and combines shall
longer dictate TO the producer what he shall
pay for what he buys, and how much he
shall take for what he sells. The trusts and
combines are nearing their end, and farm
ers are learning TO vote only for those who
will work for their interests and any indi-
vidual who dares to ignore those principles
will be left out in the cold. The Grange Or
ization is being sought after by thousands
and acquisitions TO our numbers are Of such
magnitude as to surprise even the Patrons
of Husbandry themselves. The Deputies
are kept constantly on the so, andthousands
are asking every day, "What shall we do
what can we do, to be sayed?" The
Order in Illinois will double its present
membership ere the ides of another twelve
month shall mark the era of new year.
Your humble servant has calls from many
places, both far and near, and if nothing
prevents shall spread the tidings Of the
Grange wherever and whenever time and
opportunity may suggest The Alliance
and Wheel are in the work, andmay God
speed them in their efforts.
Fratenally
S. L. HoPsoN.