The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-26
MonopoiIes.
DANyILLE, Va, August q, ls9-
IN = II -
Editor Of the Times.

DANyILLE, y A., august ~ loJ-.
Editor Of the Times:
In your editorial Of yesterday, 23d. on
The Law Of Evolution IN Business. you
SPOKE of the fear existing IN the minds OF
many people in regard 10 moropohes
created by combinations OF capitalists.
You mako the distinction between mo-
noDolies created 10y law and .monopoiies
created by business push and enterprise
and illustrate the latter by the case OF the
manufacturer Of backing pressing MS goods
upon the public until he gets monopoly
Tnis latter kind of monopoly is not the
kind the people fear, but IS tho KIND they
rather court and desire. because tney-the
people-create this monopoly by tnen pa
tronage. The backing Butts them better
than env other backing offered them and
thew buy it, This is perfectly right ana no
one can complain Zach manufacturer mas
the same chance and one gains a monopoly
bv n fair connection. If this manufacturer
we're 20 advance the price OF his blacklng
too much or make al inferior article no
would lose his monopoly or the trace az
once and soon other backing WOu!d take
the lead ,.
suppose this manufacturer had ample
means or by making combination FORM a
companv which had means 20 buy up al the
material used in making olacklng anu ~
tbis way cut OF all opposition, he Wouid
them have a monopoly of which the people
are afraid. lie could then advance the
nrioe OF blacking OF lower the qualltF at
will. This is a monopoly Whlen tue ul sl-
facturer creates. and IS very dlueTeht rom
the one the people create. W Ion tIo nl''',''
fscturer creates the monopoly the peopIo
sre in his power and be can tax them az
nil N Is this power they fear, ana the
tyranny of this power they cannot endure.
A fair competltiOn in business the people
40 not fear but the cutting oil o. compet-
ton in order that they may be roDDeu az tus
Measure of one man or com olnaIioh OF men
is what they do not ike. Inc peopie arc
,aver afraid of Justice and right as rus
L,,, 90 am 10 kick a. oppression and ty-
FANNY from whatever source IL may SP4.He
or however cloaked and protected ny tuo
lou There would be no fear OF trusts IL ~
80 not Tor the protection which cuts OH
comnstition. Very truly yours,
our correspondent is evidently fair
minded man. and has good. sound Demo
cratic faith in the people, but this fear OF
the monopoly he describes is not we'll
founded
First because the amount Of capital which
can be- obtained to embark in any pFohtaoie
ard securs business is practically unlimited
and cannot possibly be monopolized by any
combination of men.
The great Sugar Trust has its rival already
N the field. The Standard OH Company is
,breateued and could only keep competitor
ont Of the field by putting down prices and
ts.pipg them down so that rival could not
live and this is for the benefit OF the BUY
ers the great body Of the people.
Secondly. because it is equally Impossible
tor any animation aspiring to be free
trade monopoly to buy up all tho ma'eFla
that enters into .blacking or anything ei''
without so putting up the price OF the ma
,eriaI IA to stimulate increased production
and thereby again put down the price ano
oman the market 10 ordinary buyers.
Our correspondent may rest assured ina
the law Of supply and demand will cure a.
these ills be fears. Great prosperity Will 10
dorbt follow an enterprise which catches
tho nublc eye and suits the public taste
lint leave competition open, and no matte
how great the combination NAV be. II tn
nrofts are great other enterprslng manu-
facturers will 60 into the business ana u
| so-called monopoly will cease.-ED.