The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1899-05-31
AGAINST TRUSTS.
AGreat Gathering of Anti i-Monop-
oIists in St. Louis.
SOUNDING THE BATTLE CRY.
Bryan Says the Fight Against
Oppression of Trusts is Hand
and Hand With Fight
for Free Silver.
for Free Silver.

Quet was held at St. Louis, Mo, thurs
day night. Promptly at 6:45 the cater
er's direction bell rang, the oand struck
up The Stars and Stripes forever, an
army of waters ladened with viands APP
peared, and the banquet was on, while
the l, AS banqueters seated at the
tables broke into tremendous cheer,
rising in body and waving the small
hand flags that had been provided at
each cover. The table of honor was
placed on raised platform at the
north side of the arena and at it were
seated Hon. W. j. Bryan, ex- Governor
John P. Altgeld, o. H. P. Belmont,
NJ. C. Whetmore, Harry B. Hawes,
president of the Jefferson club, under
whose auspices the dinner was given,
Hon. Champ Clark, Hon. David a. De-
Almond a number Of other prominent
Democrats. The Coliseum was deco
rated throughout with flags and in the
centre of these vas fixed large silver
shield.
The dinner was concluded at 5
o'clock. 1t was strictly q love feast.
By the time the tables we're cleared the
5000 seats Of the amphitheatre were
filled with spectators representing the
society of St. Louis and the speaking
began. The first speaker of the even.
ing was Harry B. Hawes, president OF
the Jefferson club, who delivered the
address of welcome. Mr.. Hawes said,
in part:
1T was not intended that this din
ner should be merely the means Of af-
ford;ng entertainment, but it was be-
lieved by its promoters that the serious
discussions to be held tonight will be
the crystalizing public sentiment
against the encroachment upon the lib
critics of the people of the giant mcnopo-
lies and trusts. 1t is not sought or de-
sired to push to the background the
vital issues of 1896, nor to lessen in
any particular the fight to be made upon
the greatest of all trusts, the money
trust, which, greater than all: is more
dangerous than all, and by its existence
renders possible many combinations OF
wealth, that, without it, could not sur
vive. The battle line must be drawn
sharp and clear with Democracy on one
hand and the trusts aud the monopolies
on the other.
President Hawes was followed by
Hon. Champ Clark Of Missouri: who
presented the State and district banners
in the name of the State committee.
Mr.. CLARK was greeted with tremen-
dous ovation.
Trusts are Democracy, occupied
Col. NJ. G. Wetmore Of St. Louis but
few minutes. His remarks were
greeted with cheers.
He was followed by Hon. David +.
DeArmond of Missouri, who spoke upon
trusts and its parents.
A FLATTERING RECEPTION.
The applause which met Mr.. Bryan
was Of the most fattering description.
The cheers drowned the music which
struck up Hold the Fort, as he ad-
vanced to the front Of the rostrum.
Mr.. Bryan spoke as follows:
Gan actor who visited Nebraska re-
Gently, upon learning from a Republl
can that confidence had been restored,
remarked that he had examined Web
sters dictionary to learn what conf
dence' meant and found confidence de.
fined as trust, and then he understood
that confidence had been really restored.
More trusts have been formed dur
ing the last two years than existed at
the beginning of the present admins
tration, and the nominal capitalization
of trusts now in existence approaches,
if it does not equal in amount the
worlds total supply of gold and silver.
The influence Of these trusts has
become so enormous that the people,
without respect to party, are asking
themselves how the evil can be reme-
died.
"The purpose of the trusts is to con-
troll the product Of some article Of mer-
chandise. and the methods employed
are, first, the union of all Individual
factories under one management or IN
one corporation, and, second, the crush
| ing ,ut of new rivals. A monopoly,
when once complete, not only dictates
terms to those who buy the product,
but it also dictates terms to those who
sell the raw material and to those who
furnish the labor. If the trusts are
permitted TO continue we shall find an
industrial aristocracy growing up in the
United States which will prove as de-
structive of our ideals as landed arls-
tocracy would.
TRUSTS FEED THE GREED.
The principle of monopoly is lncom-
patible with our institutions. Mans
necessities compel him to become
purchaser, and where there is but one
seller the purchaser is completely at
the mercy of the seller. Where there
is competition between producers, the
purchasers is sure to obtain what he
wants at a reasonable price. When
competition is eliminated the price is
controlled not by reason, but by the
greed of the one who possesses the
monopoly.
1t has been said that the power to
tax is power to destroy. \ monopoly
possesses the power to tax: 1t can levy
such assessments as it will upon the
purchaser, and we can no more afford
to permit such power to be exercised
by private individuals than we cou'd
afford to authorize private individuals
TO use the machinery of taxation IN
order to enrich himself at the expense
Of his fellows.
''One of the difficulties which has
been encountered in opposing trusts is
that the trusts hides behind the federal
constitution when attacked by State
legislation. and shields itself behind
its State charter when attacked in the
federal courts. No remedy will be