The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-11
AGAINST THE TRUSTS.
The Senate Passes Very Stringent Meas

Mr.. Shockney's bill, declaring unlawful
all pools, contracts, trusts, arrangements
and combinations, came up on third read
ing. This bill provides that any person
or corporation entering into any agree
ment with a view to prevent full and free
competition in the production, manufact-
ure or sale of any article of domestic or
foreign growth, or to fix, regulate, increase
or reduce the price OF any such article,
shall be deemed guilty of con-
spiracy. All persons entering into
any such combination as officer,
agent or stakeholder shall be fined in a
sum of not less than 81 900 nor more than
$4,000 and imprisoned in the state prison
not less than two years nor more than five
years. If any corporation organized under
the laws of the state shall become a mem
Der OF such combination it shall be the
duty of the prosecuting attorney to bring
action to have the charter of such corpO-
ration forfeited. When any action at law
or suit in equity shall be commenced it
shall be lawful in defense thereof to
plead in abatement of the &C
ton that plaintiff interested in
the prosecution of the action is a member
or connected with, and the cause OF action
grows out OF some business or transaction
with, such pool or combination. Any per-
son or corporation injured or damaged by
such pool NAV sue and recover double the
amount of damages. Upon the trial of
any civil action against the corporation or
person for violation OF the act all officers,
stockholders or agents of such corporation
shall be competent witnesses against the
1T Ill
papers in their custody pertinent to the
issue in said action.
The bill contained an emergency clause,
but on motion of Mr.. Shockney that Sec
ton was stricken out.
Mr.. Burke was very strongly opposed to
the passage, not because he was the friend
of trusts. but for the reason that il was
nothing more than piece OF republican
demagOgv All combines dated their
birth back to the time when the repub-
licGn party came in power. They We're the
direct result OF the class legislation that
had been enacted by that party. Under
the fostering influence OF that political
organization they would continue to grow.
The measure in reality contemplated n
blow at the farmers OF the land and or
genized labor. Any organization that
sought to increase the price OF labor must
under the provisions OF the bill be deemed
q trust. IL placed such organizations in n
position where they we're assailable by pow
erful corporations. 1t made conspirators
out of farmers who entered into an agree
ment TO hold their corn in their barns
/ until the market price increased. Under
the operation of this law such men were
! considered felons. Suppose" said Mr.
Burke, that the members OF the farmers
alliance declared that the prevailing mar
ket prices do not justify the sale of our
productions, and we will hold them for
awhile. Then this farmers alliance
would be trust. Such legislation is det-
rimental TO Indiana, and l am opposed to
it,"
Wouldn't it have been better to have
saved that speech for the time when you
will run ior congress?" interrupted Mr..
Iaryan.
no. sir" replied the gentleman from
Clark; 81 will not be a candidate for con-
gress."
Mr.. Burke, continuing, said that the
democratic party would, when in 1892
| Grover Cleveland led it to victory, and
with a majority in the L. s. senate, enact
such national legislation as would wipe
out OF existence all trusts and combines
There was loud applause from the demo-
cratic members and the lobbies when the
name OF Cleveland was mentioned.
Mr.. Shockney said that there was foun-
| daiiOn for the statement that his bill was
political measure. He charged Mr.
| Burke with having attempted to pull the
I wool over the ewes of his democratic col
/ leagues. The bill passed by vote OF 80
! to 8, those voting in the negative being
Messrs. Burke. Ewing, Griffith, Holcomb,
| Jackson and Sweeney, all democrats.
Mr.. Foley, who had been endeavoring
| all morning to get his bill for the creation
OF board of arbitration for the settle
| ment OF differences arising between en-
ployers and employees before the senate,
| finally succeeded IN doing 30. The bill
provides that employees concerned in any
/ dispute shall first submit their grievances
/ TO the labor organization of which they
ere members, and if such organization
decides that they have just cause for
| grievance the matter shall be placed be-
| fore the board of arbitration. Ten days
after the passage Of the act the governor
/ with the consent of the senate shall APP
! point said board, which shall
consist Of three competent per-
sons, not moro than two of whom
shall belong to the same political party.
Each member shall receive 81 900 per wear,
while the secretary shall receive 81 200.
/ Inc court shall nave power to inquire
into instances of blacklisting and dis
charging employees without cause or re-
| fusal to pay wages promptly. Wherever
| a lockout shall occur or be threatened, il
shall be the duty of the court to proceed
to the locality and attempt to effect an
amicabe settlement.
Mr.. Foley made a strong argument in
| behalf Of his BILL saying that the laborine
! men throughout the state were demand
ing its passage.
Mr.. Burke opposed il on the ground
that the general assembly had no right
under the constitution to enact legislation
in the interest of any one particular class
OF citizens.
While the measure was under discus
sion the hour arrived for which the con
sideration Of :. los, by Mr.. French, had
been made a special order. This bill pro.
vides that any person charging any
amount i'll excess OF 6 per cent. interest
on mortgage loans shall be deemed guilty
of the crime of usury.
Mr.. Howard moved to amend the bill
by fixing the rate at in lieu OF pei
cent.
4 lengthy discussion followed. Mr.
Ewing said that neither the original bill
nor the amendment should be passed
There was no necessity fo- the Legislature
to interfere In matters of this kind, as
they were, if let alone, properly regulated
by the money market. The only effect
-