Huntsville gazette., 1893-06-03
iNTRENCHED MONOPOLY.
Trusts and Combinations Thriving Under
Democratic Rule.

Trusts and Combinations Thriving Under
Democratic Rule.
The number of trusts and combina-
tions defined by the antitrust law is
said to exceed one hundred and fifty,
with capitalization amounting to sew
eral hundred millions of dollars. These
immense aggregatioEs of kindred en-
terprises and combinations of business
interests" as President Cleveland ex-
pressed it in his inaugural address,
formed for the purpose of limiting pro-
duction and fixing prices are not
growing weaker as time goes on and
they continue to enjoy immunity from
all interference. On the contrary in
trenched monopoly is steadily growing
stronger, both in the number of its
forces and in financial power. Every
day adds to the vigor of these combina-
tions for the suppression of competition
and the destruction of the smaller in
dustries. Every day that they are
| given immunity to pursue their unlaw-
full course makes them bolder in carry
ing out the prime object of their organ
ization and increases the difficulties of
the task which must ultimately be un-
dertaken of suppressing them.
These aggregations and combina-
tions frequently constitute conspiracies
| against the interests of the people, :"
| said Mr. Cleveland in his inaugural,
''and in all their phases they are uu-
| natural and opposed to our American
sense of fairness. To the extent that
| they can be reached and restrained by
| federal power the general government
| should relieve our citizens from their
| interference and exactions." F" There is
| no difficulty about understanding the
meaning Of this language, and it com
| mitted the administration to an early
| and determined effort to enforce the
| law against trusts and combinations.
| The administration has been in power
over two months, yet there has been no
intimation from Washington that this
very important matter, affecting so
| nearly the interests and welfare of the
whole people, has received the slightest
| attention, or even that it is intended
| by the department of justice to give it
any attention. The. country is waiting
| for some sign from the administration
that will attest the sincerity of the in
augural utteranceS Of Mr.. Cleveland,
| but so far none has been vouchsafed.
| 1t would perhaps be unreasonable to
expect any great degree of activity in
| this direction pending the complete
organization Of the department. but
| this docs not preclude some intimation
that will reassure the popular hope
.l- CT - 4 L II I.
onward march Of monopoly and give
them relief from the exactions which
are constantly bearing more heavily
upon them.
1t is not difficult to understand that
the department of justice may view this
task as a very formidable one, to be en-
tered upon with the greatest care. 1t
is formidable, but it cannot be avoided,
and delay in taking it up will not les
sen the difficulties to be encountered.
The general government, as President
Cleveland has said is bound to use all
the power it possesses to relieve the
people from the interference and eX-
actions Of the trusts and all combina-
tions to regulate production and prices,
and it is not doubted that its powers
are ample for this purpose. The peo-
pie are patiently waiting for some in
dication Of the purpose Of the admins
tration to make good the pledge. of the
platform upon which it was chosen and
the promise implied in the inaugural
utterance Of the president. Let not
their hope of relief be too long deferred
while monopoly becomes more strongly
and firmly intrenched. Omaha Bee.