The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-06

An Important Measure Before the House
Committee on Courts OF Justice.


Among the important measures which
are awaiting the action OF the House
Committee ON Courts of Justice is q bill
introduced by Dr. Charles Smith, OF
Northampton. providing for the suppress
sion OF trusts, combinations and other
contracts or agreements tending to re-
strict or restrain trade
The bill will be taken mp for cOnsidera-
ton by the committee early next week.
and all parties interested in the measure
Will be given an opportunity of expressing
their views. The bin reads as follows:
BE IL enated 10y the General Assembly
Of Virginia. That from and after the pass
age of this act. all arrangements. con-
tracts. agreements, trusts or combinations
between persons or corporations made
with view TO lessen, or which tend 20
lessen. fun and free competition in the
importation or sale OF articles imported
into this State. or I'm the manufacture or
sale of articles Of domestic growth. or OF
domestic raw material. and an arrange
ments. agreements. trusts or combina-
tons between persons or corporations de-
signed, or which tend 10 advance or con-
troll the price or the cost 10 the pro-
Queer or TO the consumer OF any such
product or article. are hereby declared 20
be against public policy unlawful ana
void.
.. BE it further enacted. That any cor
poration. chartered under the laws or
this state. which shall violate any Of the
provisions Of this act. shall thereby for
feit ITS charter and its franchise and its
corporate existence shall thereupOn cease
and determine Every foreign cor
poratlon doing business in this
State. which shall violate the pro-
visions Of this act is hereby denied the
right 70 do and is prohibited from doing
business I'm this State II is hereby made
the duty Of the Attorney General OF this
State 20 enforce this provision by due
process Of law
g. Be n further enacted. That any vlo-
lation ~ the provisions OF this act shall
he deemed. and is hereby declared, 10 be
( destructive OF fun and free competition.
and conspiracy against trade. and any
person or persons who may engage in
any such conspiracy or who shall ai
principal. manager. director or agent. or
I'm any other capacity. knowingly carry
ont any OF the stipulItions. purposes.
prices. rates or orders. made in further
ance Of such conspiracy. SHALL upon con-
viction. be punished by fine OF not Jess
than one hundred nor more than five
thousand dollars and by imprisonment in
the penitentiary not less than one year
nor more than ten years. OF, In fho iudg-
ment o. the court. by either such fine or
such imnrifoument or both
T. BE Il further enacted. That the pro-
visions OF this act shall not apply 90
agricultural products or live stock while
I'm the possession Of the producer or raiser.
r. Be II further enacted. That any per-
son or persons or corporation that may
be injured or damaged by any suoh ar
FRAGMENT. contract. agreement. trust or
combination described 90 section ono ~
this act. may sue FOR and recover IN any
court of compstcnt jurisdiction in TINS
state Of any person. persons or corpora
ton operating such trust or combination
the full consid aration OF SUM paid by him
or them for any goods. wares. merchan-
disc or articles. the sale of which Is con-
,roIled hv such combination or trust
G. BE II further enacted That II shan
lie the duty OF the Judges or
guperior or circuit courts 81 this
state specially 70 instruct the
grand iurles as 20 the provisions OF
mis- act. and that an laws and n'-'- or
laws in conflict with the provisions or
this art be. and the same are, horeOy
repealed.
7. This act shall DO in force from It's
passage.