The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-12-10
TRUSTS TAKEN TO TASK.
The President Urgently Recommend
Further LegislntiOn E

+
Further Legislation.
+ Another topic in which our people right
fully take deep interest may be here brief
| ~ considered. l refer to the existence of
trusts and other huge aggregatiOns of CAPT.
tai the object Of which is to secure the
| monopoly of some particular branch Of
trade, industry or commerce, and so stif1e
wholesome competition. When these are
defended, it is usually on the ground that
| though they increase profits they also re-
duce prices to the people. This is not one
of the real objects OF these organizations,
nor is their tendency arily in that
direction. If it occurs in particular case,
| it is only because it aceortls with the pur-
pose or interest of those managing the
| scheme Such occasional results fall far
short of compensating the palpable evils
| charged 10 the account Of trusts and mo-
i{iGGivld..l in1-YclGe--eca, .anI TO hini.e-. OF
i pye.snt the free use 81 human facilities
and the full development of human char
actes. Through them the farmer, the arti-
san and the small trader is in danger Of
disloag cement from the proud position of
!, being his own master, watchful of all that
tQlc~cs his cs+.s-.-sys Gp-ospcr..yy N WHICH
he LIS a. ii.disid,1 lot AID interested in
all that aects the advantages of business
| of which he is "a factor, to be relegated to
the level of aa mere appurtenence to a great
machine, with little free will, with no duty
but that of passive obedience and with lit
tie hope or opportunity Of raising in the
scale of responsible and helpful citizenship.
TO the Instructive belief that such is the
inevitable trend of trusts and monopolies is
due the widespread and deep-seated popular
aversion in which they are held and the
not unreasonable insistence that whatever
may be their incidental economic advant-
ages their general effect upon personal
character, prospects and usefulness cannot
| bo ;Sa fhaA irir
gress has attempted to deal with this mat
ter by legislation, the laws passed for that
purpose thus far have proved ineffective,
not because of any lack of disposition or at
tempt to enforce them, but simply because
the laws themselves as Interpreted by the
courts do not reach the difficulty IL the in
snfficiency of existing laws can be remedied
by further legislation 1t should be done. It
should be recognized, however, that all fed
eral legislation on this subject may fall
short of its purpose because of inherent
obstacles and also because of the complex
character of our governmental system
which, while making the federal authority
supreme within Its sphere, has carefully
limited that sphere by methods and bounds
which cannot be fransgressed. The decision
of our highest court on this precise ques-
ton renders it quite doubtful whether the
evils Of trusts and monopolies can be ade-
quaieIy treated through federal action, un-
less they seek directly to include in their
objects transportation or intercourse be-
tween states or between the United States
aud foreign countries. 1t does not follow,
however, that this is the limit of the REM
edy that may be applied Even though it
may be found that federal authority is not
broad enough to fully reach the case, there
can be no doubt OF the power Of the several
states TO act effectively in the premises,
and there should be no reason to doubt
their willingness TO judieiously exercise
such power.
In concluding this communication, its last
words shall be an appel TO the congress for
the most rigid economy in the expenditure
4 OF the money it holds in trust for the
people. The way to perple king extravaganza
is easy but a return to frugality is difficult.
When, however, it is considered that these
who bear the burdens OF taxation have
no guaranty OF honest care save in the
nnelity Of their public servants, the duty
sof all possible retrenchment is plainly mani
fest. When orr differences are forgotten
aud our contests of political opinion are no
longer remembered nothing in the retro
spect OF our public service will be an
fortunate and comforting as the recollection
OF official duty well performed and the men,
Org OF constant devotion to the interests
OF our confdlng fellow ceunrrymen
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion. Dec. &, 1896.