The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-06
x,,prurR DISCUSSION OF TRUSTS"

our CORRESPONDENT of Sunday returns 10
IN the discussion of trusts In the follow
ing letter. which we publish with pleas
,re. He discusses the subject intelligent
ly. and 1t il by intelligent discussion SHiy
that truth Is arrived at
4, The Times of yesterday you say In
xour able and conservative article OH
trusts among other things, the follow
Treem the whole without prejudice:
s.9ut the monopoly Of a business, Wlch
a CORPORATION, unaided by law. secures IN
this country, Is a monopoly assume ine,,, Dy
slrperfo industry, management, ehei KY
A" "it t. secured fairly by the efforts of
individuals alone. ana WIN no alu Vi any
sort from the law.
case would and could rest upon its merits
Much stress would he iaid upon the "a.
might know to be your motto, but these
words are sometimes transPosed' not only
by Individuals, but sometimes even by
corpofations and trusts.
Your correspondent does think that the
aanassing OF great wealth. with its at
tending influence and power by corpora
lions. trusts, or monopolies. Is great
point OF danger TO the people and
source of grave anxiety for our instltu-
lions, and claims further that great
wealth in the hands OF an individual is
entirely different from great wealth In
the hands OF corporations, trusts, or mo
nopolies The trusts Is an interesting
study. and In your correspondent num-
BILE opinion a study OF very great mo-
,nent IL has a very far-reaching aspect
upon the development OF man. To give
an Illustration II is unfortunately neces-
eary TO go more into detail than Is 10
your correspondents taste or liking.
Take any OF the industrial trusts-the
American Tobacco Company. for instance
y mnlch aeHp viii be a found Sas
originally formed and composed OF i've
separate, independent manufacturing con-
Germs. each having its separate ramln-
There were five distinct purchasing
branches. FIVE distinct outlets for the
farmers product There were five distinct
tured article. Five distinct. independent
sets OF men competing, plotting. WORKING.
and thinking: Now there Is but one. The
other four have degeneratei into mere
machines obeying orders: have ceased
to be men OF the first class.
There were In the city Of Richmond
number OF dealers In leaf tobacco. con
thereby in intelligence. strength of mind
and character. not only for themselves.
but their offspring as Well
the amount OF business they can do2
And take the plug tobacco business OF
which seems 10 have received the coup
de grace from the Trust. which has been
selling enormous quantities OF plug far
below cost. driving the small man 10 the
wall. and thus. unaided by law acquires
nv superior Industry. management. en-
srRy, and thrift and fairly by the efforts
81 Individuals alone and with no aid OF
any sort from the laws. the plug bust
ness.
Now, these plug manufacturers. who
heretofore were making good support
sSrength OF mind and character In the
n1fvult OF their business as independent
nan. and investing their Offspring with
hieher intelligence OF mind having lost
Vi0 not even have Z chance 70 become
Sn00l1lo or servants OF the Trust. They
fS6k 0eoeiRA ~ Afhsr haasiaesa but trusts