Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-12-10
TRUSTS TAKEN TO TASK.
The President Urgently KccOmmenns
Further LegfsIntiOn


Another topic in which our people right
fully take a deep interest may be here brief
ly considered. / 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 stide
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 I'm that
direction. II IL occurs in a particular case,
1t is only because IL accords with the pur-
pose or interest OF those managing the
scheme. Such occasional results fall FAR
short of compeDsating the palpable evils
charged to the account of trusts and mo-
nopolics. 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
acter. Through them the farmer, the arti-
san aud the small trader Is In danger or
disloigelnent from the pro III position OF
being his own master, w1tchful OF all that
tohches his c0untry's prosperity. IN which
he has an Individual lot, and interested In
all that accts the advantages OF business
OF which he Is a factor. TO be reiegated to
the level OF a mere appurtenence to q 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 or trusts and monopoiieS IL
due the widespread and deep-seated popular
aversion i'm 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
be otherwise than injurious. Though con-
.rao. rt,aa aftarnpfn,I In 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 III the in
sufficieney OF existing laws can be remedied
by further legislation II should be done. Ii
should be recognized. however. that all fed
eral legislation on this subject may TALL
short Of its purpose because OF Inherent
obstacles aud also because OF the complex
character of our governmental system,
which. while making the federal authority
supreme within its sphere. has carefully
limiited that sphere by methods aud 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-
~auateiy treated through federal action, I'M
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 IL
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 10 act effectively in the premises.
and there should be no reason to doubt
their Willingness to judiciously exercise
such power.
In concluding this communication, its last
words shall be an appeal 70 the congress for
the most rigid economy in the expenditure
OF the money II holds In trust for the
reople. rhc way to perrlexiug extsavagance
Is easy. but a return 10 frugaiity Is difficult.
When, however. II Is considered that these
who bear tae burdens OF taxation have
no guaranty Of honest care save in the
inelity Of their public servants. the duty
OF all possible retrenchment is plainly mani
fest. When our differences are forgotten
and our contests OF political opinion are no
longer remembered nothing In the retro
speet of oar public service Will be as
fortunate and comforting as the recollection
Of oificiai duty we'll performed and the siirsii-
DRY Of Il eonststnt devotion to the interests
OF our coniiding fellow countrymen.
-tROvER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mahsion. Dec. z. 1886.