The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-12-06
PresidentCommunicatesWith
Congress on Subjects Of
National Interest.
WAR, TRUSTS AND MONEY

WAR. TRUSTS AND MONEY
Revolt Must Be Put Down-Hsmedy
For the Monopoly Evil-Golc Stans:-
ard Favored-Partition Of Samoa
Hobar,'s Death, 4 c.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-The president
today transmitted to congress his ar
rual message, as follows:
To the Senate and House Of Represen-
tatives:
At the threshold of your deliberations
YOU are called to mourn with your coun-
trvmen the death of Vice President Ho-
bart, who passed from tais life on the
morning of November 2lst, last his
great soul now rests in eternal peace.
His private life was pure and elevated.
while his public career was ever olstln-
guished by large capacity. stainless In
regrity and exalted motives. he mas
been removed from the high Office which
he honored and dignlfled, but his lofty
character, mis- devotion to duty, his hon
esey of purpose and noble virtues re-
main with as as priceless legacy ana
example.
The Fifty sixth congress convenes IN
it's first regular session with the country
in a condition of unusual prosperity, OF
universal good will among the people at
home and in relations of peace and
friendship with every government OF
the world. Our foreign commerce has
shown great increase in volume and
value. The com bined imports and ex-
ports for the year are the largest ever
shown by single year in ali our his
tory. Our exports for 1899 alone ex.
ceeded by more than $1,000. 0o000 our
Imports ard exports mblned IN 1870.
The imports per capita are 10 per cent
less tkan in 1870, while the exports per
capita are 50 per cent more than in 1870.
showing the enlarged capacity OF the
United States TO satisfy the wants OF It's
own increasing population, as well as to
contribute to those Of the peoples OF
other nations.
Question of Trusts.
Combinations Of capital organized
into trusts to control the conditions OF
trade among our citizens, 10 stlhe COM
petition, limit production and determine
the prices Of products used and con-
sunled by the people. are justly pro'ok'
ing public discussion and should early
claim the attention OF the congress.
The industrial commission created by
the act of congress Of June Is. 1895. has
been engaged Ia extended hearings upon
the disputed questions involved IN the
subject of com mbinations in restraint OF
trade and competition They have not
vet completed their investigations of
this subject and the conclusion and
recommendations at which they may
arrive are undetermined. The sobjec.
is one giving rise to many divergent
views as to the nature and variety CT
cause and extent of the injuries TO the
public which may result from large
com binarious concentrating more or
less numerous enterprises and estallsh.
ments which previously to the forna-
tion of the combination were carried
separately.
It is universally conceded that combi-
nations which engross or control the
charGise or commodity necessary to the
general community. oy suppresslng nat
urai and ordinary competltlon, whereby
prices are unduly enhanced 70 the gen.
eral consumer, are obnoxlcus not only
to the common law, but also TO the pub
lie welfare There must be remedy
for TIE evils involved IN such organiza-
tions. II the present law can be eS-
tended more certainly TO control CT
check these monopolleS or trusts. it
should be done without delay. What
ever power the congress possesses over
this most important subject should be
promptly ascertained and asserted.
1t is apparent that uniformity Of leg
islation upon this subject in the several
states is much to be desired. lC is to be
hoped that such uniformity founded in
wise and just discrimination between
what is injurious and what IS useful
and necessary in business operations
may be obtained and that means may
be found for the congress within the
limitations of its constitutional power
80 as to supplements an effective code of
state legislation so to make a complete
system of laws throughout the United
States adequate TO compel general OBJ
servance of the salutary rules to which
I have referred.
The whole question is 80 important
and farreaching shat am sure no part
of it will be lightly considered, but
every phase of it will have the studied
deliberarion of congress resulting in
wise and judicious action.
The Nicaragua Canal.
The Nicaragua canal commission.
which had been engaged upon the work
Of examination and survey for a route
across Nicaragua, having completed its
laoors and made its reports. was dis
solved on May 81. aud on June 10 new
commission. known as the isthmian
canal commission. was organized under
the terms OF the act approved March 8.
1899. for the purpose of examining the
American is,hmus with view to de-
termining the most practicable and
feasible route for ship canal across
that ls1hmus. with its probable cost and
other essential details.
This commission. under the presi.
dency o: Rear Admiral John G. Wal
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