The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1896-12-19
TRUSTS TAKEN TO TASK.
The President Urgently RecOmmen nj,
Further LeGislatfOn.

The President Urgently Recommends
Further Legislation.
Another topic in which our people right
fully take deep interest may be here brief
ly 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
:ratle industry or commerce, and so stine
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 is their tendency necessarily In that
direction If it occurs in a particular case,
1t is only because it accords with the pur-
pose CT interest OF those managing the
scheme Such occasional results fall far
short Of compensating the palpable evils
charged to the account of trusts anu mo-
nopOlies. Their tendency Is to crush out
individual independence, and to hinder OF
prevent the free use of human facilities
and the full development of human char
actcr. Through them the farmer, the artt-
san and the small trader is In danger of
tislodgement from the proud position OF
being his own master. watchful of all that
touches his cOuntry's prosperity. IN which
he has an individual lot, and interested In
all that accts the advantages of business
Of which he is factor. to be rclegated to
the level of Il mere appurtenencc to Il great
machine, with little free will, with no duty
hut 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 monopolics Is
due the widespread and deep-seated popular
aversion in which they are held land the
not unreasonable insistence that. whatever
may be their incidental economic advant-
ages their general effect upon personal
character, prospects and usefulness cannot
he otherwise than injurious Though con-
crcss 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. II the IN
sufliciency of existing laws can be remediod
nv further legislation it should be done. 1t
should be recognized. however. that all fed
cral 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 transgressed. The decision
of our highest court on this precise Iues-
zion renders it quite doubtful whether the
evils of trusts and monopolies can be ade-
uuatcly treated through federal ACTON, uil-
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
cdy that may be applied. Even though 1t
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 judiciously exercise
such power.
In concluding this communication. Its last
words shall be an appeu 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 extravaganza
is easy, but q return to frugality is difficult.
When, however, 1t Is considered that these
who bear the 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 o. political opinion are no
longer remembered nothing In the retro
spect of our public service will be as
fortunate and comforting as the recollection
Of official duty well performed and the men,
Org Of constant devotion to the interests
of our coniiding fellow countrymen.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Dec. .. 1870.