The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1893-06-07
FIGHT AGAINST TRUSTS
Representative Men of Many
States in Session at
Chicago.
Conference Called to Devise a
Way to Abolish Trusts and
Combines.
Governor Nelson Of Minnesota
Chosen to Preside at the
Meetings.

CHICAGO, June 6-The antitrust
convention which met at Apollo Music
hall during the morning was not i'm
posing as to numbers, but it was rep
resentative one, and it's members were
full of enthusiasm and determination.
The convention was called by Governor
Knute Nelson of Minnesota, who, in
In obedience to resolution passed by
the legislature Of his state, issued an
invitation to all the states of the Union
to take part in conference to devise
means to abolish trusts and combines.
Thirty-four states responded by ap-
pointing delegates and nearly that
many states we're represented. It was
expected that Senator Sherman of Ohio,
who was appointed delegate by Gov
srnor Mckinley, would be present, but
he did not put in an appearance.
Nelson Calls to Order.
The convention was called to order
by Governor Nelson, who read an ad-
dress in which he gave history of the
antitrust movement in Minnesota,
which had resulted in the call for the
convention. The legislature. Governor
Nelson said, made searching investi-
cation of the coal trust which exists in
Minnesota and the lumber trust which
hourishes there The evidence brought
out in the investigation was conclusive
and clearly showed the nature of the
combines, but the remedy was not so
apparent. The legislature, therefore,
determined to ask the other states of
the Union to help devise a remedy.
No Punishment Provided.
''The operations of the trusts" said
the speaker. ''are so intricate and secret
that the courts refuse to define them
except in general terms. The present
laws declare them illegal but fail to
provide punishment Relief can only
be obtained through statutory enact
ments which will be sweeping and
searching. It is for this convention to
take some action which will lead to the
enactment of efficient laws" Governor
Nelson then dissected the Sherman anti
trust law, which he said was but an ex-
pertinent and one which had
Resulted in No Practical Good.
What is needed" said the governor,
sis law which will enumerate the
acts of the trusts which are illegal. It
ought to prescribe short and simple
form of Indictment. In order to sim
plify the rules of evidence in such cases
the law should provide that certain Wis
IDLE acts of the trusts and their agen IS
should be accepted as prima facie evil
dence of an illegal combine. The laws
should be made to clearly define what
is a monopoly of trades. I suggest that
this convention appoint permanent
committee on legislation, whose duty it
will be to devise suitable laws and de-
wise means to have them passed"
Temporary Organization.
Governor Nelson at the conclusion of
his speech moved that a temporary
chairman be appointed and the con-
ventiOn organized at once, the motion
resulting in the selection of Henry D.
Lloyd of Chicago as presiding officer for
the time being. Mr.. Lloyd on taking
the chair said that he felt the greatest
favor of his life had been conferred
upon him. He then attacked the trusts
as the speaker preceding him had done.
He said that the time was now ripe for
action and that this convention should
take advantage of the opportunity.
Committees Named.
A motion was then passed to appoint
committee on credentials to decide
who were the accredited delegates of
the various states. After a wrangle
which consumed considerable time a
committee was finally appointed to pass
on credentials. A committee was also
appointed to select permanent officers
and the convention took recess for a
quarter of an hour. When it was called
to order again the committee reported
recommending Governor Nelson as per-
manent chairman, Edward S. Meaney
of Washington for secretary and j. E.
Morton of Kentucky for assistant sec
rotary.
DOnnelly Heard From.
Ignatius Donnelly then came to the
front with series of resolutions which
he asked the convention to adopt as a
declaration against trusts. The resolu-
lions are in part as follows:
Whereas, Many of the giant evils of our
civilization are the result of artificial corpora
lions, called trusts, endowed with immortal
life capable of existing in thousand places
at once and freed from all limitations which
restrain individual action and that
Whereas. The supreme court of the United
States has decided these heartless and soulless
corporations to be persons, human and en-
dowed with all the privileges of citizenship. "
and has authorized them to go from state to
state and devour the substance of the people,
therefore be it
Resolved, That we call upon the people of
the states and nation to seriously consider this
most important subject and enact such laws
as shall limit and circumscribe the growth
and power of those unnatural ard irresponsi-
BILE beings and provide for their ultimate ex-
tinction, and thus make this indeed govern
ment of the people, by the people and for the
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