The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-12-08
TRUSTS.
Laws should he PASSED to Regulate
the GIgnmtlc NInmnnnIIcs.

Another topic IN which our people right
fully take dcrp interest may be here
briefly considered. | refer to the cSlst-
cnco ~ trusts aud other huge nNgrcgatlons
Of capital the object Of witch Is 10 secure
the monopoly Of some particular branch
OF trade industry or commerce and to stifla
wholesome competition. when these are
defended IT Is naunliy on the ground that
though they increase profits. they also re-
duoo prircs and thus benefit the public. II
must be remembered, however. that ro-
duction of prices TO the people Is not QUO
of the real objects Of these organizations,
nor is their tendency necessarily in that
direction II 1t occurs In particular case
II ia only because 1t accorda with the phr-
POSTS or iutcrcBts Of those managing tho
scheme. Such oouasonal results TALL short
OF compcnsatinB ,hp pRlpablo owls charged
to the account OF trusts ana monopohcs.
Their tendency IL to crush out Individual
independence ana to hinder and To prevent
the fr,c uac OF human faculties and tho
fun development of human character.
Through thcn the farmer, the arIihan ana
the small trader IN IN danger of lisiuds~
m.nt from the proud position OF being hla
own mnslor watchful OF all that touehea
ilis country's prosperity, In which be has
an individual Interest In all that Affects tho
advantages Of business of which he 10 u
factur. to be rclrgatoi to the level of n
mere appurtc nance 10 great machnc with
little FREQ VIII. win no duty but that OF
passive obedience and with little hope or
opportunity Of rising In the scale az re-
sponslblc and hopeful citizenship. 10 the
inAtinrtiVo belief that such is the inuvl-
table trend of trusts and mouopollcH IL duo
the wijesprcnd aud dcep-scatcd popular
aversion In which they are held ana tho
not unreasonable lnsistonco that Whatever
may b. their incidental economic advan-
tnEoa their general ofIoc, upon personal
character. prospects aud usefulness can not
be otherwise than injurious.
Though congrcnn has attempted to deal
with this matter by legislation tho laws
paYsod for that purpose thus far hnvo
proved Ineffective. not because Of any lack
VI disposition or attompt TO enforce them.
but simply hocnuno the laws themselves IN
interpreted by ttc courts do not reach tho
difficulty.
The decision OF our highest court on this
precise question renders II quite doubtful
whether the ovila OF trusts aud monopolieH
ran be adequately treated through Federal
action unless they sect directly and pur-
poRcly Ia include In their object transport
tatlon or intercourse between States or be-
tween the tiniko1 States md foreign coun-
tries.
u does NOT follow. however, tnht 'nlR ~
the limit u the remedy that may be Mp
piled. Even though II may he found that
| FcdcW authority ls not broad enough 10
+, equally reach these oaacs thoro cnn bc no
| doubt of2the power Of the several States to
| net effectively 10 the promiacs, and there
| should be no reason TO doubt their willing-
ness to judlclousiy exercise suci power.
| PLEA FOR ECONOMY
| In concluding this communication it's
last words shall be an appeal to the con-
gross for tho most rigid economy In tho
expenditure Of the money II holds IN trust
for the people. The way to perplcxing en-
| traynsance is easy. but return to frugal
| ity is difficult. When, however IL IL con-
| sIderod that those who bear the burdens OF
taxation have no guarantee Of honest care
save In The futilty OF the public servants
the duty Of all possible rctrcnchment Is
plainly manifest when our differences arc
| forgotten and our contrasts OF political
| opinion are no longer remembered. nothing
IN the retrospect Of our public service Will
| q. f.,t and f,rI In. tts.