The times., 1897-03-24
The Judicial Blow at Trusts.

In its decision sustaining the sherman
antitrust law, and including railway
traffic pools and agreements within the
scope and operation Of that measure. tho
Supreme Court of the United States has
justified the confidence which the Ameri-
can people generally have placed in the
patriotism and wisdom of the judleal
branch Of their Government The action
of our highest tribunal. reversing as it
does the decisions Of the lower courts.
viii do a great deal toward restoring
the old-time confidence that, in the last
resort. there is always one independent
and incorruptible division of the governing
force which can be relied upon to stand
between the people and the Constitution,
and attempts against the rights or the
integrity of one or the other.
1t must be considered, however, that
the decision against the railway pooling
system is of such far-reaching importance
that it cannot fail seriously to affect the
interests and privileges OF vast organized
system, representing billions OF invest
ment, and a proprietary, both native and
foreign, including most Of the great fl
nancial magnates, syndicates and combi-
nations Of the United States and Europe.
Regarding the matter from that point
from the wisdom or opportUnncss of the
Supreme Courts action; but it does ;ug-
gest the probability, not to call it a
certainty, that the great interests in
volved will not be content TO let the
case rest where the court of last resort
has laid it; but will use their assumed
rights. as chief factors in producing cur
rent American political conditions, in
demanding such u change of law as may
suit their necessities and policies, and
place their power of profitable combina-
ton above the dangers Of interference
by the judiciary.
In the Inauguration of such an inev-
liable movement in behalf Of the Con- |
tinental railway interests, obstacles would |
be met at this particular time, but they |
might not be found insuperable The /
Fifty-fifth Congress was called in extra |
session TO pass the tariff bill, and at |
the same time to avoid all questions
of immediate Importance to the country. |
A design like this, however. might ;.sily |
be modified at the demand OF the rail-
way interest, which is only another term /
for the money power that owns it.
This seems a reasonable probability, be
has been dictated by high sense of conl-
mercal honor, namely, that nothing should
interfere with the payment by the Rcpub-
lican party, at the expense Of che country,
of the campaign debts it contracted with
the trusts and monopolies supplying it with
the means of contest in 1896. None of the
elements contributory to that achievement
were of more Importance than the national
railway organization, which lent its whole
force to the effort Il contributed some
thing like goo, 900 coerced and intimidated
voters, and in many cases the numerical
effect Of these was increased by julicious
and multiplied application; and
then il was, equally with others, literal
as regards money.
II would seem to involve an unequal and
inequitablc liquidation of party indebted
ness to close the Republican clearing house |
Of the Capitol TO the urgent and vital claims
of the giant railway trust benefacter, and
TO keep it open day and night {
for the settlement OF debts due the no more