Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-12-10

of trusts and other huge sggregations Of
capital, the object Of which is to secure the
monopoly of some particular branch e
trade, industry or commerce, and so stife
wholesome competition. When these are
defended, IL is usually on the ground that
though they increase profits, they also re-
duce prices, and thus may benefit the public
u must be remembered, however, that
reduction or prices 10 the people is not one
OF the real objects of these organizations.
nor - their tendency necessarily In that
direction. If Ii occurs Ia a particular case.
4 is only because it accords with the pur
pose or interests OF those managing the
rebaroa Such roaacfr.,ot -oI57,Ifs 60
short OF compensat'ag the palpable evils
charged to the account of trusts and mo-
nopolies. Their tendency Is to crush out
Individual independence and 10 hinder or
prevent the free use of human faculties
and the fun development of human char
acter. Through them the farmer, the arti-
san ana the small trader is in danger of
disledgement from the proud position of
being his own master, watch1ul OF al that
touches his country's prosperity, in which
he has an individual lot, and interested in
all that affects the advantages Of husi-
ness OF which he is factor, to be rele-
gated to the level Of mere appurteR1nGe
to a great machine. with little free Will,
with no duty but Of passive obeuience. snd
with little hope or opportunity of rising
in the scale of responsible and helpful cltl-
2enship.
Laws Ineficient for Their Control
TO the instructive belief that such is the
inevitable trend of trusts and monopoiles
uiar aversion In which they are held aud
the not unreasonable inststence that
whatever may he their incidental econ
omic advantages, their general eiecs
up0l personal character, prospects and
usefulness cannot be otherwise than
injurious ThouEh congress has att
tented 20 deal with this matter by leg
islatl0n the laws passed for that purp
thus far have proved ineffective. not be-
cause 81 any tack Of disposition err ATTEMPT
to enforce therl, but simply because the
laws themselves as irterHret1d bE he
courts 90 not reach the dihleultY II the
insui.iciencies. Of eNssn& l@"s can re
ronedicl BY further legislation il should
be done
states should Take Effective Action.
1t should be recognized. however, that
eli fedeval LEGISLATION ca this subject May
fall short Of its purpose because Of inherent
obstacles and also because Of the complex
character cf our governmental system
ty supreme within its sphere, has carefully
limited that sphere by bounds which can
not hG tranSgresSed, The decision Of our
highest court on this precise question rem
ders Ii quite doubtful whether The evils
of trusts and mQnopolies can be ade-
quately treated through federal action, un-
less they seek directly and purp0sely to
include in their objects transportation
or intercourse between states or between
the United states and foreign countries
II does rot follo'F, however, that this IS the
limit of the remedy that may be applied.
Even though il may be found that federal
authority is not broad enough 70 fully
power Of the several states to act effec-
tiVely in the premises. and there should
be no reason to doubt their willingness TO
judiciously exercise such power
a Plea for Rigid Economy.
In concluding this communication It's
last words shall be an appeal 10 the con-
gress for the most rigid economy in the eN-
pcnditure OF the money il holds in trust
for the people. The way to perpleXing eX-
travagance is easy, bat 3 return to fru-
gality is difficult. When, however, II is
considered that those who bear the bur-
dens of taxation have no guarantee of
honest care save in the fidelity Of their
public servants, the duty of all possible re-
trenchment is plainly manifest.
When our differences are forgotten and
our contests of political opinion are no
longer remembered nothing in the retro
speot of our public service will be as for
tuuate and comforting as the recollection
of official duty we'll performed, and the
memory of a constant devotion to the in
terests OF our coniiding feliow-countiy-
men. GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Washington, Dec z,
1896.