Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-27
Mnnnnolies and Trusts.

"The anti-monopoly bill" now under
consideration in the House OF Delegates IS
hopelessly impractical.
We know that it is general in Its scope
and that it is intended TO remedy what IS
rightly regarded as great evil. but it IS
specially applicable to the American To-
bacco Company, and it derives much Of
its support from those who would like TO
see more competition in the leaf tobacco
markets of Virginia, but we feel sure that
IL will do more harm than good.
If passed and contested, Its life will pro-
badly be about as long as was that of the
act which required all meats butchered
more than one hundred miles from the
place where they were offered for sale to
be inspected by State inspectors, who were
allowed to charge enormous fees, That
measure, like this, had its origin in So
called popular demand" but popular
demand" cannot make constitutional what
is unconstitutional or practical what is
impractical.
If this bill is passed and the American
Tobacco Company chooses to 60 into the
State or Federal courts it may have
Il declared null and void. But If it
should not care to resort to that course
II could and probably would remove its
plants from here to another city and
State. and then we should lose great in
dustry and much capital, and have in their
stead only an empty-sounding and value
less statute.
II the company cannot do business here
as satisfactorily as elsewhere 1t can go
elsewhere. All the world is open to it and
there are cities and towns by the dozen
which will gladly welcome 1t and give it.
besides, all the grounds and buildings
that IT needs foi its purposes. So if the
bill passes it will hurt Richmond and Vir-
cinia more than it will hurt the company.
The General Assembly refused TO give it
an unquestionable charter and it went
elsewhere and got what it wanted. In
other words. we threw away needlessly a
bic lot of revenue. II we refuse to give 1t
home be sure 1t will get one elsewhere.
This is the plain, practical. common.sense
view of 1t, and oil the invectives that we
can hurl ct monopolies and trusts" will
not alter these facts.
Let IL be remembered. too. that those
who were the proprietors of what is now
the Richmond branch of the company
we're not the originators and promoters
Of the consolidation. They were ,averse
to consolidation. but the logic of events
compelled them to yield and to become
members Of the new organization. They
have always done much to build up Rich
mond. Here they give employment to
1900 people. Here they have spent their
money literally and freely. Here they
have been foremost in all public enter
prisea
What il past is beyond legislative recall.
Consolidation Is one OF the features OF the
sge. aud the General Assembly Of Virginia
LONG ago gave its sanction TO one Of the
biggest consolidation acts that IVES ever
known, whereby several distinct railroad
companies we're welded into one corpora
ton. And in recent years. under an effective
business management. that corporation
has become . vast power in developing
the material resources OF the State.
The blow that 10 aimed at the American
Tobacco Company may injure Richmond
great deal. but II cannot possibly help
the tobacco planters. The company has
several factories. You can close those
which are In Virginia. but you cannot
close those which are in other States, nor
csa you prevent il from buying its loaf
OF selling its manufactured products
hers.
The friends Of the measure are unques-
t;onsbly honest In their purposes, but we
Tel surs that upon calm consideration
Of The whole question they must come to
~ conclusion that they cannot accom-
p1ish their aim By means Of this bill and
~ q 1ndeavorlng 70 do 30 they will do
~ : ezeat Injury.