New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-16
cr1 ECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
TOO MICH OF A GOOD THING
-,vr TO CALL HALT on SUCH LEGISLATION
As THE ANTI OPTION ELL

As THE ANTI OPTION ELL
,h. Editor Of The Tribune.
,r The An,iOption bill. now pending IN tho
-. contains one provision which distinctly pro.
80 "a brand rs pcst-spolS Of the enrjh all the
r..,ds Of trade and business exchanges. The bill.
~. aesnne "options" and futures provides tba'
-. A., shall not apply alto any contract or agreement
as with any farmer or planter. nor 10 any coz
me-. or agreement mad" with any person TO furnish
"a deliver TO such person at any time or within
WV assenated period. any Of said articles for the
A' a, consumption or traffic Of such person In his
,,.s. occupation or manufacture pT0vid how
~ TIM, such contract agreement shall not he
80. sc,ed for by delivery or settlement OF d Ncr-
.... or By any other mode Of performance or Scltc
-, IN or upon any board Of trade. produce cotton,
"cb.n,s' or other exchange. other commercial
.ois,on, or In any place, or upon any premises
war. price quotations Of said articles announced.
u,,,nsd or published nor be subject To the rules
. ,,gula,ons OF any such board exchange OF other
...rsrcal association"
n,..,ye the above provision 1t proposes TO make
. ..t.ctly legal 10 transact certain business any
". and everywhere except in exchanges or boards
go or other commercial associations. What is
,~nl or proper elsewhere is Illegal and under ban
49,. As Senator White OF Louisiana. said In speak.
49, a, mi. proviso il proposes to pick ont the con-
sSnrsA snots and draw the line OF terror around
IA. and 10 and behold by the cdict OF the American
Ss,r.ss lawful indeed are those contracts In every
.,sr MACE but In the spot where we breathe the
.,.nsma Of iilcgali,y. II You step into that con-
,.n,.d place the contract is dead and that which
ssal every where else becomes Illegal there lie well
..M II Won strike down the method by your BILL II
can, Nil does what YOU think II does, II II prevents
N, doinr OF that which think II Is necessary TO
,erept unlawful future contracts then in the name
"a rA.on why should 60 further When YOU
,.rs DESTROYED the method which you think nec'~-
.,,v N be DESTROYED. WHY destroy places Why de.
,,-v dealings in those places which have always been
. ,.,t Of business from the Middle Ages down The
.,s-Yrston Of mercants meeting and consulting. the
.,chsoees IN London. the BOursc In Paris. all are
~ great centres Of dealing. IL the methods OF
S..Ane are condemned. strike them down but do not
~ nrther and strike at pcrsOs and PLACES by dis
Elimination as unjust as II IS un-Amerfcan."
n is time 10 call halt on such proposed legislation
a. his To practically place the Exchanges. Boards
~ Trade and other commercial organizations OF the
cmniry under the same ban as gamhing'houses and
.her dsrepuable places Of resort Is an outrage upon
Ne tntenSence and standing in The community OF
Is merohsnts and dealers who constitute these bodies
S,ch ,hey should not called upon 10 bear and how
ever much Senators may feel that they should govern
49,, actions bv the desires Of their ttnsutuents there
& no possible call upon them TO go 10 such Lengths as
Nis. o Me-" iOhNTn'
New York. Jan. IL. 1898.