New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-21
TRUSTS TO BE RAKED OVER
SENATOR'S VOTE FOR ANOTHER LExow
INVESTIGATION.

WHICH EACH SIDE ACCUSED THE OTHER OF
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS DEFEATED
Albany. Jan. 20 (speciaD.--The Republican sena
tors at their caucus last night rewrote the Lexov
resolution against trusts and put more backbone
INTO II. This action somehow did not please tn,
Democratic Senator's who have been posing as
,uch ardent champions Of ap oppressed people. and
they therefore. With one exception. opposed rs
adoption. The amended resolution read as follows
whereas Combinations OF capital in the form OF
trusts or otherwise appear TO exist and to be In
creasing In number and influence in this Com
monwealth. resulting in concentrating In the hands
OF few various important branches OF industry
creating monopolies. shutting out competition dis
placing labor and driving the citizens Of moderate
means out Of business. with the effect that produc
a Sn S OF supply and demand or the rules Of normal
and healthy competition. but by the arbitrary de-
sision OF combinations operating together TO de-
stroy competition and exact unreasonable charges
from the people: and
Whereas. Ii is charged the combinations Of
capital enjoy special and peculiar privileges ana ana
that the laws hitherto enacted are inadequate 10
Resolved, II the Assembly concur. that Joint
and four Members Of Assembly be APP
pointed to draft such remedial acts as may ~, ne
.ecessary and in order that this may be intelli-
emily done the said committee shall have full
,ower and authority to institute and eond4cc on an
,,i,tee is empowered 10 hold sessions wherever
Necessary. to employ counsel stsnographer ara
such other assistance rs may be necessary 10 send
for persons and papers, issue subpoenas ana eA,
ercise and enjoy all the powers; prNnesss anu
s sUt,SsI OF Z" 'es'S'''''e '''""''' 'ee anu " -
II resolved That the committee make report nt
first day Of March next
As originally presented 10 the Senate by MI.
rexov the resolution did not instruct the special
committee to be appointed TO prepare remeaiai reg
,sls,,on nor was IL instructed to complete lis
vi nv March l. Senator Lexow to-day submitted
the resolution as amended and made speech In
lis behalf 1t assailed. however by senator
cantor who made the point that the special COM
rni;tee could investigate trusts or not as IL pietseu
I, was not required TO make any investigation put
could at once introduce bills against trusts In this
case no special committee was needed The work
could be done by the Judiciary Committee
Senator Lexow replied that the Judiciary Com
nnittee overburdened with work. Senator Can
Tor had called for remedial legislation against
trusts and now he did not want 1t.
The Republicans are trying to smother anti
trust bills" said Senator Guy. He also declared
that the Republicans had attempted 10 defeat AS
semblyman Robbins. who last year had introduced
an antitrust bill.
WELL" said Senator Ranes eft is clear that Mr.
Robbins was elected by Republican votes and
must say that in attending Republican caucus
and abiding by its decision he is in better posi-
ton than Senator Guy. who has Just boted eau
Gus Of his party associates"
Senators Wray and Humphrey supported the
amended resolution Senator Humphrey in con-
Guiding his speech accused the Democrats Of hav-
ing by indirect methods attempted TO defeat the
antitrust bill last year Senators Cantor and Grady
had both voted TO send the bill to a committee for
amendment at time when such a recommittal
would have killed II. Senators Cantor and Grady
holly denied the truth of the charge, but Senator
Humphrey thereupon read abstracts from speech
Of Senator Grady last year suggesting the
militia Of the bill a committee. Your action
last year and this year trust bills, said Sena-
tor Humphrey. addressing the Democratic Sena-
tors. lis play 10 the galleries.
Senator Grady then, with stimulation Of great in
dignation. held aloft piece of paper and shouted:
We will show the majority whether we are honest
in favoring antitrust legislation. / offer this
amendment to the resolution and move the yeas and
nays its adoption
The amendment to the effect that no resolution
for final adjournment be acted upon by either Senate
or Assembly until antitrust bills should be pre-
apd as51d apSn by deGsyH vUte
ssry Inc committee. ne said. would report by
Senator Cantor asked If the bills to lower the price
OF gas In New-York would go to this special COM
That will be decided by the Senate" answered
Senator Lexow.
Republicans Of not intending to pass any genuine
his resolution. saying in part:
We are dealing mere with a cancer which has
Of COMPUTATIONS which seeks 10 secure absolute
control Of product necessary to the welfare or
the vast resources of wealth absorbs every COM
petition and finally reduces the consumer TO con-
grasping monopoly The people recognize with
deep soieitude the rapid development and expan-
sion OF these creatures of greed and avarice, and
are Justly alarmed at the vast influence and power
e wealth reysaed by their continued
All conditions of men feel the weight of this I'M
special Of her aTarce and Re slI as
VICTIMS @a OF their grinding oppression.
tent IS in the air. II springs from he conyicon
whether right or wrong, that existing law is favor
eliminates against individual effort. Certain it is
that no legislation hitherto devised has been ade-
evil Laws which at the time of their enactment
sne boos than Mere no ns
were resor.ed to which bled the trusts TO evade
With sbsout s"G @
S aggra the denty Of REACHING proper solu
should not deter us from resolutely grasping this
problem and solving it fairly and justly; but with
the aid OF honest effort and in accordance with our
This is no war on thrift. no attack on Industry,
no assault on the honest accumulation of toll and
Of maood ana promises ne ha
me Individuality OF the citizen shall not be under
and happiness shall not depend upon the caprice Of
oppressive trusts. We who are In the majority in
pie for any act Of commission or fault Of omission
Ours is duty to initiate remedial legislation where
laws that equal rights and equal opportunities shall
be the unchallenged birthriFht OF American citizen
ship
Senator Grady's amendment was then defeated by
Of % TO A. the Republicans voting in the az
6rmative and the Democrats in the negative
Senator Cantor then offered substitute for the
Lexow resolution. declaring that in the opinion Of the
Senate there no necessity OF making any further
Investigation upon the subject Of trusts and combna
tons, but the Legislature should proceed at once 10
the enactment Of such remedial legislation on this
subject as would destroy these combinations and pre-
vent their formation hereafter
The Senate then defeated Senator Cantor's SUBJ
stitute by vote Of 20 TO 10, but Senator McCafren
Democrat. voted with the majority. The resolution
o. Senator Lexow was then adopted by vote Of
West l 4St.
,. ~DTIrr. ..Ao-