Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-03-31
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND TRUSTS.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND TRUSTS.
The Topeka Capital is making grand
stand play for the support of those who are op-
posed to trusts. The Republican managers
view with alarm the rapidly-increasing number
of trusts, and, knowing that the rank and file
of their own party, as we'll as of all other par
ties, oppose trusts they find that it is necessary
to do something. Consequently, they have
passed the word along to their organs that they
must make a pretense of fighting the trusts.
The Topeka Capital is one of the first to take
up the cry, and is now yelling "Down with the
trusts" In its issue of March 10Th, the Cap
ital says:
"The organization of trusts goes on with in
creasing momentum, not month going by with
out another of these capitalistic monsters being
born. The trust problem is one that demands
solution by the Republican party, the only par
ty that has practical capabilities in business
matters 1t is claimed with some force for the
trusts that they tend to the maximum of econ
omy in production and distribution. and there
fore, the minimum cost to the consumer fur
thermore, that they organize industry securely,
and do away largely with industrial failures,
thereby tending to keep labor in steady employ
ment and preventing industrial panics and dis
turbances. Nevertheless, they are undemocratlc
and have no place in democratic country.
They destroy individualism which is at the ba.
sis of democratic society. They become a
dangerous power in politics and menace to
private rights, driving small concerns out of
business and Transforming small proprietors in
to clerks, superintendent and employees instead
employers. This condition of things is one
that commands the attention of the people, and
should arouse the energies of Republican states
manshlp.
In subsequent ISSUE the Capital, in its eff
forts to make the people believe that the Re-
publican party is opposed to trusts points to
John Sherman antitrust law.
This talk of the Capitals is all bosh. Its
editor knows full we'll that the Republican par
ty dare not attack the trusts i'll earnest. He
knows that his party could not exist if the
trusts did not 'put up the stuff at every cam
paign. The trusts contribute to the Republic
an campaign fund because they know that par
ty is their friend and defender.
John Sherman may have been honest in adj
vocating his antitrust law-although we doubt
it. But acknowledging his honesty Of purpose,
for the sake of argument, it is well-known
fact that his law does not prevent the formation
of new trusts nearly every day. Never were
there so many trusts organized in any one year
as have been formed during the past year-and
the amount of capital represented by these
trusts is stupendous. There is scarcely a line
of industry that is not under the control of
trust.
The pretended opposition to trusts now being
exploited by the Capital and kindred papers
NAV fool few beople, but very few. Any per-
son with an ounce of brains knows they do not
mean it. The Republicans may even make
feint at fighting the trusts in their next caln-
paien, but, should they succeed in carrying the
country again, their opposition to trusts will
cease Immediately after election.
Since the above was written, Attorney-Gen-
eral Gripps has declared that the trusts are be-
vond the cantrol of the government. This be-
mo the case, what's the use of the Republic
ans, or any other party, to say anything more
about it2 We do not agree with the Attorney
General however. True, HE may not be able to
control the trusts, if, indeed, he desires to
(which we doubt, but if the Republican
bowers that be are powerless to cope with the
trusts, they'd better step down and out, and let
men hold the reigns of govern ment whose
hands are not tied by the trusts.