The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-03-30

capital In existence arc now pending in
the Supreme Court Of that State and
ne thinks that the power Of the state Is
ample to control trust combinations.
We do not believe that such laws IN
any state are worth the paper they are
printed on We DO not believe that the
people of any state Will submit to laws
restraining trusts from doing business
within their borders Say what YOU
please about trusts. the fact Is that these
organizations are making goods that tho
people want and that the people Will
have. because they are making the cheap
est and best goods in the world. IL was
oontcndcd at one time that the trust
must De discouraged because its object
in monopolzing trade was to advance
the price and 20 cNtortion On the people.
Perhaps that was the object. but It Is
notable fact that wherever such extor-
ton was attempted failure was the re-
suit and the trust organizations have
discovered that the only way for them
90 succeed and 90 mako money is by
making their goods popular with the
people. ana that the only way TO make
their goods popular is by making them
tho best and the cheapest The people
have got % into their heads that the
trusts arc terrible things and that they
should DE put down. Yet there is a popu-
lar demand FOR the goods which the
trusts are putting ont and IL cannot be
denied that their goods are ting best and
tho cheapest that the world has ever
known The people abuse the trusts but
they arc going TO buy the trusts wares
because il is 10 their interest 10 do so,
and The states which attempt 10 exclude
the trusts whiio such trusts arc doing
business in their borders arc going TO
hear from the people
We have been watching with keen in
torcst for the terrible disaster that is 10
come upon this country. as prophosied
by the politicians from the existence Of
great corporations But M disaster has
not yet come so far as we can see. 1t is
true that some of the middle men have
been eliminated. but that the great mass
of people. the working people. the sala-
ricd of this country. have been benefited
10y trusts no man can truthfuiiy deny
II tho people did not want trusts. they
would rise mp in their might and boycott
all goods that tile trusts make and drive
them ont OF business. but the patrons of
the trusts are the people Of the United
States. and it is the people we say who
keep these trusts alive. All sorts Of at
tempts have been made in various lines
Of industry 10 Introduce antitrust goods.
yet the people who cry out against trusts
have discarded the goods of the oppo-
s.tion and purchased the goods of the
trust which they hate Which. being
Interpreted means that there is no sem
timent in business.
The inevitable conclusion therefore is
that So long as the people are deter
mined to patronize trusts. il viii be i'm
possible for any individual state success
fully 90 lceisiate against them
We are not concerned about the bust
ness feature. sfor we believe that the
trusts win be Of more benefit than in-
jury 90 trade The only thing that we
fear in them is their political influence.
These corporations with their immense
wealth have the power frequently 90
control legislation and that is something
which the people must watch. If the
President Of the United States, the mem
bers Of Congress. the judges on the