The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-09-21
7HBGOVBRNORS CONFER
Chief Magistrates Discussing tho
Trust Evil at st. Louis.
SEVEN GOVERNORS ARE PRESENT.
The General Opinion Prevailing Ii
That Trusts should BE Crushed Out
by the Action OF the General Govern-
ment-A Day OF Speech Making.

ment-A Day OF Speech Making.
st. Louis. Sept. 21.-The anti-trust
conference, originated by Governor
Sayers, Of Texas. was called to order
yesterday by Attorney General Grow,
of Missouri. Mr.. Crow made a short
address, welcoming those present to
Missouri.
The roll call showed these states
represented: Michigan. Governor Pin
gree and Attorney General Oren: Mis-
souri,. Governor Stephens and Attorney
General Grow; Texas, Governor Say
ers and Attorney General Smith; Ar
kansas, Governor Jones and Attorney
General Davis; Tennessee, Governor
McMillin; Iowa. Governor Shaw; Col
orado, Governor Thomas and Attorney
General Campbell; Indiana, Attorney
General Taylor; Montana, Attorney
General Nolan; Mississippi. Monroe
McClurg, Democratic candidate for at
torney general; Washington, Insur-
ance Commissioner c. G. Heifner.
Governor Lon v. Stephens, of Mis-
souri,, nominated Governor j. D. Say
ers, OF Texas, as permanent chair
man, and he was unanimously chosen.
Paul B. Moore. private secretary of
Governor Stephens, was chosen secre-
tary of the conference.
Governor Sayers was greeted with
hearty applause when he assumed the
chair. He read somewhat lengthy
address, setting forth his views on the
question of trusts, which was frequent
ly applauded. Governor Sayers said
in part:
mo motive prompted my action in
suggesting this conference other than
the desire to induce, If possible, con-
cert action among such governors and
attorneys general of all the states that
might aid in an effort to suppress an
evil which has become gigantic in pro-
portions, and which, in the opinion of
very large number of good and pa
triotic citizens of the republic, threat
ems the most serious and disastrous
consequences to the country.
at is true that in some sections
money is plentiful, trade active, spec
ulation rife, and that certain products
have largely and rapidly increased in
selling value. This prosperity, how
ever, is born. in a great measure. of
war, and Is largely attributable to the
enormous expenditures that have been
and are now being made by the general
government for special purposes. 1t
cannot be reasonably expected that the
present prosperity will long survive
the settlement of our foreign difficult
ties and the restoration of peace.
During the past two years that
which was previously a shadow on the
horizon has become a dark and por-
tentious cloud, and on every side and
from every quarter are heard warnings
of imminent danger that should no
longer pass unheeded. Every COM
bination and association of any mag
nitude in this country under the name
or glise of trust, almost without ex-
ception, owes Its existence to a gov
ernmental grant of privilege, exemp-
ton and power. The fact that the
trust almost universally owes its very
life to the creative power of public
authority, makes it the imperative
duty of government to protect the peo-
pie against any abuse or misuse of its
opportunities to the detriment of the
general welfare. This, in my opinion,
is a complete answer to any objection
that might be urged against govern
mental interference to restrain and, If
needs be. to entirely destroy the trust
power whenever it shall become hurt
full or perilOus."
Governor Stephens followed Cover
nor sayers in an address in which he
all Of hnt To-,
souri, to fight the trusts.
After a recess a telegram was read
from Governor McLaurin of Missis-
sippi saying that business necessitated
his absence, but that any action tend
ing to the eradication of trusts and
combines would receive his support.
Attorney General Smith, of Texas,
presented some resolutions favoring
Legislation that would do away with
trusts and combinations. They were
referred to committee.
Speeches were called for, and Gov
ernor c. s. Thomas. Of Colorado, was
the first to respond. He prefaced his
remarks by saying cmphatically that
he did not agree with the expressions
voiced by Governors Stephens and
Sayers at the morning session. He
cOntended that the consolidation of
business combinations in a few hands
was injurious TO the people as a whole.
He assumed that the question of the
threatened formation of those gigantic
combinations portended evil for the
people, and said it was time to call
halt. He argued that concurrent ac-
ton between the states and the ma
tional government was necessary to
control the operations of the so-called
trusts. He concluded his remarks with
a vigorous attack upon the Standard
Oil company.
Governor Leslie Shaw, of Iowa, then
took the floor and, as it seemed to
many, facetiOusly derided the remarks
of Governor Stephens at the morning
session. Before delving into the sub
ject he paused and made motion that
the governors of Missouri, Tennessee
and Texas be appointed to draft and
formulate a bill such as, in their ppin-
ion, may safely and advantageously be
passed by the legislatures Of the sew
eral states and which will in their
opinion as far as possible remedy the
evil so universally acknowledged. The
motion was tabled.
Governor Daniel W. Jones, of Ar
kansas, being called on, arose and in
vigorous terms scored Governor Shaw
for his righteousness. saying this was
no time and place for remarks not
tending to furtherence of the bust
ness before the conference. He then
made speech against "the Monsters"
termed trusts, he having felt their
power among his people. In his opin-
ion the trusts should be annihilated.
Governor Jones was followed by At
torney General Edward c. Grow, of
Missouri, who spoke on the question
from the view point of lawyer. He
favored the enacting Of a law in
every state so that when trusts are
organized the equality of the law shall.
prevail
W. l.. Taylor, attorney general Of
Indiana, and Attorney General Nolan,
OF Montana, made vigorous antitrust
speeches, and then Attorney General
Oren. Of Michigan, being called on,
devoted the main part Of his address
to exemplifyng Michisan's methods
for controlling corporations He Sc
verely criticized New Jersey and Del
ouora for tIo;r Low ;nnn,o,,, 49,.