The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-12-18
TRUSTS TAKEN 20 TASK.
The President Urgently Recommends
Further LeRislattOn

The President Urgently Recommends
Further Legislation.
Another topic in which our people right
fully take deep interest may be here brief
trusts and other huge aggregations Of capi-
tai. the object Of which is to secure the
monopoly Of some particular branch Of
trade. industry or commerce, and SO sttfe
wholesome competition. When these are
defended, 1t 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 il their tendency necessarily In that
direction. II it occurs in a particular case.
1t Is only because 1t accori1s with the pur-
pose or interest Of those managing the
scheme. Such occasional! results fall far
short of compensating the palpable evils
charged to the account Of trusts and mo-
nopolies Their tendency Is to crush out
Individual independence, and to hinder or
prevent the free use Of human facilities
and the full development of human char
actcr. Through them the farmer. the arti-
san and the small trader is In danger Of
dislodgement from the prold position Of
being his own master. watchful Of all TINT
ticiches H.! ne svuurryv- prosperity, IN which
he has nj Individual lot, and Interested III
all that accts the advantages of business
Of which he is factor, to be relegated to
the level of q mere appurteHenee to great
machine. with little free viii. Win no duty
but that Of passive obedience and with lit
scale Of responsible and helpful citizenship.
To the instructive belief that such Ii the
Inevitable trend Of trusts and m0nopolie9 Is
due the widespread and deep-seated popular
aversion in which they IRE held .and the
not unreasonable inslstence that, whatever
may be their incidental economic advant-
ages, their general effect upon personal
character, prospects and usefulness cannot
be otherwise than injurious. Though con.
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. If the In
sufficiency 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 It's purpose because Of inherent
obstacles and also because Of the complex
character Of our governmental system.
which, while making the federal authority
limited that sphere by methods and bounds
which cannot be transgressed. The decision
Of our highest court on this precise Ques.
ton renders 1t quite doubtful whether the
evils Of trusts and monopolies can be ade.
9uatey ate acton,
objects transportation or intercourse be.
tween states or between the United States
aud foreign countries. It does not follow.
however, that this Is the limit Of the REM
edy that may be applied. Even though 1t
may be found that federal authority ID 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 judiclously exercise
such power.
In concluding this communication. its last
words shall be an appeal to the congress for
the most rigid economy In the expenditure
Of the money 1t holds in trust for the
people. The way to perplexing extrava.ance
is easy, but a return to frugality 10 dill :.
When, however. 1t 10 considered that t.
who bear the burdens Of taxation ha>
no guaranty Of honest care save In the
hnelity Of their public servants. the duty
Of all possible retrenchment 10 plainly mani.
fest When our differences are forgotten
and our contests Of political opinion are no
longer remembered nothing In the retro
spect Of our public service will DO -
fortunate and comforting AZ the recollection
Of oficial duty well performed and the mem.
DRY Of constant devotion to the interests
Of our confdlng fellow countrymen.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
4, Executive Nrasion, Dec. Z. 1891