The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1899-12-08

rrr-FIf
shaH give % the country maritime strength
commensurate with its industrial sscbieveme1ts
and with its rank among the nations Of the
earth
A to Trusts and Combinations
The industrial commission created BY the
act OF tie congress Of June Is. les. has been
engaged IN extended hearings uuon the dis
puted questions involved in the subject Of COM
binatiOns in restraint Of trade and competition
They have not vet completed their fuvestiga-
ton Of this subject, and the conclusions and
recommendation at which they may arrive are
undetermined. The subject is one giving rise
70 many divergent views as 20 the nature and
variety OF cause and extent Of the injuries 20
the public which may result from large cOmbi-
nations concentrating more or less numerous
enterprises and establishments, which previ-
ously 20 the formation Of the combination we're
carried on separately
Il is universally conceded that combinations
which eugrOss o. control the market Of any
particular kind Of merchandise or commodity
necessary 70 the general community, by sup
pressing natural and ordinary competition.
whereby prices are Unduly enhanced 20 the
general consumer, are obnoxious not only TO
the common law, but also 20 the public welfare.
There must be a remedy for the evils involved
IN such organizations II the present law can
be extended more certainly 70 control or cheek
these mOnOpOlies or trusts, IL should be done
without delay. Whatever power the congress
possesses over this most important subject
should Be promptly asCertained and asserted
An act to protect trade and commerce against
unlawful restraints and mOuUpClIes was passed
By congress on the ID OF July. 1880 The pro
visions Of this statute are comprehensive and
stringent It declares every contract or com
binatiOn, in the form Of a trust or other
wise or co nSpiracy IN the restraint CT trade OF
commerce among the several states or with
foreign nations. 70 be unlawful IL deuCui-
mates as a criminal any person who makes any
such contract or engages IN any such coub'Ca-
ton or conspiracy and provides q punishment
by fine or Imprisonment l. invests the circuit
courts OF the United States with jurisdiction 70
prevent and restrain violations o. the act and
makes It the duty Of the several United States
district attorneys, under the direction Of the
attorney general, 20 institute proceedings IN
equity 70 prevent and restrain such violations
II further cOnfers upon any person VINO shall
be injured in his business or property by any
person or corporation by reason Of anything
forbidden or declared 20 be unlawful by the act
the power 10 sue therefor in any circuit
court Of the United States without respect 20
the amount in controversy. and TO recover three
fold the damages by him sustained and the
costs Of the suit including reasonable attorney
fees It viii be perceived that the act IS aimed
az every kind OF combination IN the nature Of
a trust OF monopoly in restraint OF interstate
or international commerce
The prosecution by the United States OF Of
lenses under the act OF 1899 has been frequently
reSOrted to IN the federal courts and notable ef-
forts in the restraint OF interstate commerce.
such as the TransmissOuri Freight association
and the Joint Traffic association nave been
successfully opposed and suppressed
State Legislation Inadequate.
The state legislation 20 which President Cleve-
land looked for relief from the evils OF trusts
has failed 70 accomplish fully that object This
probably Is due To great extent 70 the fact
that different states take different views as TO
in furious combinations and those associations
which are beneficial and necessary To the bust
ness prosperity OF the country The great di-
versity Of treatment IN different states aris-
ing from this cause. and the intimate reIl-
tiOnS Of all parts Of the country 10 each other
without regarding state lines IN the conduct OF
business have made the enforcement of state
laws difficult
1t is apparent that uniformity Of legislation
upon this subject IN the several states IS much
to be desired It l. TO bc hoped that such uni
fOrmity founded in wise and Just disCrimi-
nation between what Il injurious and what Is
useful ana necessary in business operations
may be obtained. and that means may be found
for the congress within the limitations Of its
constitutional power so to supplementary effect
i've code Of state legislation as TO make com
pIete system CT laws throughout the United
States adequate 10 compel general observance
Of the salutary rules TO which have referred
FsyOrs the Nicaragua Canal
the Nicaragua canal commission which had
been engaged upon the work Uf examination
and survey for ship canal route across Mica
its report. was dissolved on May 81. and on June
10 new commission. known as the isthmiau
canal CON mission. waS organized under the
terms Of the act approved March 3. le-g- for the
purpose or examining the American iSthmus
with a view TO CCtgruIuIu- the most practicable
and feasible route for a ship canal across that
iStbmus- with its probable cost and other es-
Sentiai details Good progress has been made.
but under the law comprehensive and COM
pIete Investigation Is called for. which viii re-
accomplishment The work viii be prosecuted
As expeditfOuSly a. possible and q report made
at the earliest practicable date The great i'm
pOrtance OF this work cannot be too often or
too strongly pressed upon the attention Of the
congress In my message OF a year ago ec-
pressed my views OF the necessity % "a canal
which would link the Two great oceans. 20 which
] again invite your consideration The reasons
then presented for early action are even stronger
Our Interests in China
In view OF disturbances IN the popul0us prov I
inCCS OF northern China. where are many 81
our citizens and OF the iumIucucc OF disorder
near the capital and toward the ~rluolrur q
guard OF marines was landed from the Boston
and stationed during last winter iu the LEGATION
compound az PesiuE- With -br restoration %
order this protection was Withdrawn The IN
tereSts OF our citizens i'm that vast empire have
not been neglected durin- the past year AIDE I
quate protection has been secured for our mis-
siouarieS and some injuries % their property
have been redreSScd-
American capital has sought and found vari-
Gus opportunities OF competing 70 carry Out the
internal Improvements which the imperial gov
eminent IS wisely cuCoura-iu-. and @ develop
the natural resources OF tue empire Our trade
with China has continued u grow. and our COM !
merCiaI rights under existing treltiesf have
been everywhere maintained during The past
wear rs they will be 10 the future The eK-
tension OF the area upcu 90 international
foreign settlement al Shanghai and tle opening
OF the ports OF NauliuE. T>iu--Tao llNIao
ChaCJ and Ta-Lien-Wau 70 foreign trade and
settlement will doubtless ahort American en-
terpriSe additional facilities and rev heids Of
which u viii not be slow % take advantage
In my message % congress Of December :,
1855 1 urged that the recommendation which
had been made 70 the speaker OF the house Of