Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-12-07
THE BURLINGTON FREE PRESS THURSDAY DECEMBER Z 1892

ire Seheral consumer are obnoxious not
only to the common law, but also to the
public welfare There must be remedy
for the evils involved in such organiza-
lions. If the present law can he OK
tended more certainly to control or check
these monopolies or trusts, IL should be
done without delay
An act to protect trade and com
merce against unlawful restraints and
monopolies was passed by congress on
the End of July, 1890. The provisions of
this statute are comprehensive and
stringent. It declares every contract
or combination in the form of a trust
or otherwise, to be unlawful. 1t de-
dominates as a criminal every person
who makes any such contract or engages
In any such combination or conspiracy
and provides a punishment by fine or
Imprisonment. 1t invests the several
circuit courts of the United States wit
jurisdiction to prevent and restrain vio-
lations of the act. The act is aimed a
every kind of combination in the natur,
of trust or monopoly in restraint e.
interstate or international commerce.
The prosecution by the United State
of offenses under the act of 1890 has been
frequently resorted to in the fedora
courts, and notable efforts in the re
straint Of interstate commerce such u
the Trans Missouri Freight association
and the Joint Traffic association hav,
been SUCCESSFULLY opposed and sun
pressed.
President Cleveland in his annual mes
sage of Dec. I. 1896, after stating Il,
evils of these trust combinations, says,
Though congress has attempted to deal
with this matter by legislation the Law
passed for that purpose thus far have
proved Ineffective not because of any
lack Of disposition or attempt to enforce
them, but simply because the laws
themselves as interpreted by the courts
do not reach she difficulty. The decision
OF our highest court on this precise quss.
ton renders ii quite doubtful whether
the evils of trusts and monopolies can
be adequately treated through federal
action, unless they seek directly and
purposely to include in their objects
transportation or intercourse between
states or batWeer the United States and
foreign countries"
The state legislation to which Presi-
dent Cleveland looked for relief from the
evils of trusts has failed to accomplish
fully that object. 1t is apparent that
uniformity of legislation upon this sub
ject in the several states is much to be
desired. 1t is to be hoped that such uni
formity may be obtained and that means
may be found for congress to supple
ment state legislation. The whole ques-
ton is so important and far reaching
that am sure no part of it will be lightly
considered.
OUff(ELATIONs ABROAD.
The claim of the Austro- Hungarian
government for indemnity for the kill
ing of certain subjects by. the authori-
ties at Lattimer, Pa, while suppress-
ing an unlawful tumult of miners, sept.
~, 1891 in view Of the verdict of ac-
quittal rendered by the court before
which the sheriff and his deputies were
tried for murder, has been declined.
1t is gratifying to know that the Bel,
gan government has mitigated the re-
strictions on the importation of cattle
from the United States.
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
The contract of the Maritime Canal
company Of Nicaragua was declared
forfeited by the Nicaraguan government
III october on the ground of non-fulfil-
ment. The Maritime Canal company
mas lodged protest. The Ncara guam
cal Il commission having completed its
labors. was dissolved on May 81, and on
June 10 new commission, the Isthmian
canal commission. was organized. This
commission entered promptly upon the
work intrusted to 1t, and is now carving
on examination in Nicaragua along the
route of the Panama canal The work
Will be prosecuted as expeditiously as
possible. The importance Of this work
cannot be too strongly pressed upon
congress
CORDIAL1TY WITH GERMANY.
Our relations with Germany continue
to be most cordial The increasing in
umacy has been marked by permission
FOR the landing on our shores of a cable
from Borkum Emden, and the con-
clusion of a parcel post convention with
the German empire. The several GOV
ernments of the empire seem reluctant
to admit the natural excellence of our
food productions. 1t is to be hoped that
in time the two governments will act in
common accord to insure the purity and
WholeSomeneSs of all food products i'm.
ported by either country from the other.
Efforts to obtain for the American life
insurance companies a full hearing as
to their business operations in Prussia
have happily succeeded.
THE CANADIAN COMMISSION.
In my last annual message I referred
to the pending negotiations with Great
Britain in respect to Canada. A Joint
high commission had been created for
the purpose Of adjusting all unsettled
questions between the United States and
Canada. embracing IL subjects. Apart
from these questions the most friendly
disposition has marked the intercourse
of the United States with Great Britain.
THE BOER WAR.
This government has maintained an
attitude of neutrality in the unfortunate
contest between Great Britain and the
Boer states of South Africa. The United
states representative at Pretoria was
early instructed to see that all neutral
American interests be respected by the
combatants. Upon the withdrawal of
the British agent from Pretoria the
United states consul was authorized to
exercise the customary good offices of a
neutral for the care OF British interests.
In the discharge of this function oppor-
tunity has been afforded to show the i'm
Partially of this government toward
both the combatants
THE ITALIAN LYNCHING.
For the fourth time in the present dec-