The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-09-15

other there is need of the enforcement
OF penalties which run against individ-
uals hiding behind trust organizations,
as well as they do against individuals
who stand upon their own responsible
ity. These are simple remedies, and the
wonder is not that they are needed, but
that being, needed. they are not applied.
The reason is TO be found l think,
in q, certain weakening of the moral
calibre of the American people, partly
as a result of the economic errors which
have been inculcated so industriousiy.
and partly in response to the tireless
propaganda of calumny and calamity
which has become, in a manner, a pub
lie disease, affecting injuriousiy the en-
tire body of the people.
Tonic Is Needed.
THE American republic needs a tonic
of sound doctrine for the instruction of
youth, and for the admonition of the
aged will show that no abuse of power
is too deep-seated for correction.
One immediate and wholesome eff
feet of such a tonic would be the i'm
partial enforcement of wise laws
against all offenders. and the repeal Of
obviously unwise laws, regardless of
the protests of their benefciaries. No
unlawful trust could stand for a day
in the face of a public sentiment so
actuated."
The convention then took a recess
until 8 o'clock.
The afternoon session was devoted to
papers on the Relation of Agriculture
to Trusts" Dudley H. Wooten acted
as chairman for th1 session, but pre-
sided over delegations even thinner
than they were during the forenoon.
Delegates Went to Sleep.
W. Bourke Cochran was missed from
the ranks of the New Workers, but
these gentlemen asserted that he had
not forSaken the conference. An east
ern delegate slept through the entire
session, a pronounced example Of ennui
which affected many others to less
degree.
Governor Pingree was in attendance,
and at the close responded to a clanor
from the pit for a speech. He merely
observed that he was opposed to trusts
for reasons, he said, which he would tell
those who attended in the evening.
The Michigan governor, together with
Governor Atkinson of West Virginia,
Governor Scofield of Wisconsin and
Governor Stanley of Kansas, upon the
Invitation of the chairman, took seats
on the stage. Samuel H. Greeley Of the
Chicago board of trade spoke on the
protection Of American grain markets
from railroad and warehouse monop-
DIV
He was followed by ]. C. Hanley of
st. Paul, delegate from the National
Farmers Alliance and Industrial
Union.
Az Anarchist Speaks.
Aaron Jones of South Pend, Ind,
master of the National Grange, de-
clared that the farmer was opposed to
V7n nth l1y-or1 oh nT ind
trusts. The last speaker Of the after
noon was Major Benjamin z. Tucker
of New York, editor of an anarchistic
paper. He gave his view of trusts from
the point of an anarchist
The speakers, with one accord, over
stepped the twenty minutes allowed
each speaker. At the close an oppor-
unity for discussion was offered, but
notion to adjourn was overwhelmingly
Favored and was carried.
Pingree Makes Speech.
Vice President Corliss of New York
presided at the evening session. He in
troduced Governor Pingree of Michi-
gan, Governor Pingree's subject was
THE Effect of Trusts on Our National
Life and Citizenship
He began by mildly criticising the
Civic Federation of Chicago, declaring
that in all of the sixty-nine questions
by the federation broadcast |
over the country as a means of gath |
ering material for the use of the con- |
ference, only one question related in
any way to the effect of trusts upon So
ciety. He deplored the fact that in all |
he discussion, business considerations
the almighty dollar-seemed to be up |
permost.
While it is a fallacy to deny the ex-
CT r al oil in
he said, it is nevertheless indisputable |
that well defined classes divide our So |
,iety. The strength of the republic, he !
said, rests in the great middle class,
the manufacturers jobbers, middlemen, |
commercial travellers and business men !
and it would be little short |
Of calamity to encourage any indus
trial development that would affect I'M
favorably this important class. Close
to them and another strong element are
the skilled mechanics and artisans.
Tendency of the Trusts.
1t was the effect of the trusts upon
The classes, Governor Pingree main
tanned, that should be first considered.
As he viewed the situation the tendency
IF the trusts was to drive these men
INTO the service of the great combina-
lions, where their identity would be
ost, and where they would become
mere cogs and little wheels in a grea
machine. Ambition and
perhaps inventive genius would be
ieadened and killed, independence
would be lost and a sort of Industrial
slavery would follow. Commercial feud-
llism. he said, is the logical outcome of
he trust, the trust manager becoming
he feudal baron.
Commercial advantages and disad-
hr ha q 1od n
t would not be honest to the people,
either in this conference or in legisla-
i've assemblies, if the effect of the
rust upon our national life and citi-
.enship be not considered.
Governor Pingree believed it would be
better to be forever poor. but independ-
mt and happy as individuals, than to
ay the foundations for industrial slav-
Try and tyranny. Equality of opportu-
lity TO all men would be better than
he control of the worlds trade.
L favor complete and prompt ami
lilation of the trusts" declared Gov
rnor Pingree, with due regard for
property rights, of course"
Have Come to Stay.
Ex-G Governor. Foster of Ohio was the
rusts as we may, they have come to
tay. Why? Because gigantic business
perations of the present and future
annot be carried on without them.
through the trusts the enormous waste
hat is entailed upon business opera
ions by competition is saved. The pro
uct and the service performed is
heapened. Labor will have the better
to enhance wages and
horten the hours of toll, as is so sig
ally illustrated in the railway service
f the country.