The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-12-08

undetermined. The SUBJECT Is one giving rise
to many divergent views ~ to the nature and
variety or cause and extent Of the injuries to
the public which may result from large cOmbi-
nations concentrating more or less numerous
enterprises nd establishments, which previ-
ously to the formation Of the combination were
carried On separately.
1t is universally conceded that combinations
which engioss or control the market of any
particular kind Of merchandise or commodity
necessary to the general community. by sup
pressing natural and ordinary competition
whereby prices are unduly enhanced to the
general consumer, are obnoxious not only to
the common law, but also to the pub c welfare
There must be n r. mcdy for the evils involved
in such organizations II the present law can
be extended more certainly to control or check
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 monopolies was passed
by congress on the I'd Of July, 1880 The pro-
visions Of this statute are comprehensive RSd
stringent II declares every contract or COM
binutiUn, in the form of trust or other
wise, or conspiracy in the restraint of trade or
commerce among the several states or with
foreign nations to be unlawful 1t denomi-
mates as n criminal any person who makes any
such contract or engages in any such combina-
ton or conspiracy and provides punishment
by fine or imprisonment. II invests the circuit
courts OF the United States with jurisdiction TO
prevent and restrain violations Of the act and
makes II the duty Of the several United States
district attorneys, under the direction of the
attorney general, to institute proceedings in
equity to prevent and restrain such violations.
II further confers upon any person who shall
be injured in his business or property by any
person or corporation by reason OF anything
forbidden or declared TO be unlawful by the act
the power to sue therefor in any circuit
court OF the United States without rasnent tn
the amount In controversy, and to recover three
fold the damages by him sustained and the
costs Of the suit including reasonable attorney
fees. II will be perceived that the act is aimed
at every kind OF combination In the nature Of
trust or monopoly In restraint OF interstate
or international commerce.
The prosecution by the United States OF Of
lenses under the act OF 1890 has been frequently
resorted to in the federal courts and notable eff
forts in the restraint OF interstate commerce,
such as the Transmissouri Freight association
and the Joint Traffic association, have been
successfully opposed and suppressed
state Legiriation Inadequate.
The state legislation to which President Cleve-
land looked for relief from the evils OF trusts
has failed to accomplish fully that object This
probably is due to n great extent to the fact
that different states take different views as TO
the proper way 10 discriminate between evil
which are beneficial and necessary TO the BUSH
ness prosperity OF the country. The great d-
versity of treatment I'm different states aris-
ing from this cause and the intimate rela-
lions OF all parts Of the country to each other
without regarding state lines In the conduct OF
business, have made the enforcement Of state
laws dinicult
upon this subject in the several states is much
to be desired IL Is to be hoped that such uni =
formity founded In wise and just diScrim-
nation between what Is injurious and what is
useful and 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 supplement an effect
i've code Of state legislation rs to make a COM
plete system Of laws throughout the United
States adequate to compel general observance
OF the salutary rules 10 which have referred.
Favors the Nicaragua Canal
The Nicaragua canal commission which had
been engaged upon the work OF examination
and survey for ship canal route across Mica
ragua, having completed its laborS and made
its report, was dissolved on May 81, and on June
10 "a new commission known rs the iSthmisn
canal com mission, was organized under the
terms OF the act approved March 3, 1890, for the
purpose Of examining the American iSthmus
with a view 10 determining the most practicable
ana feasible route for "A ship canal across that
sential details. Good progress has been made,
but under the law n comprehensive and COM
plcte investigation Is called for, which will re-
quire much labor and considerable time for Its
accomplishment The work will be prosecuted
as eXpeditously rs possible and report made
at the earliest practicable date, The great i'm
portance Of this work cannot be too often OF
too strongly pressed upon the attention OF the
congress. In my message Of a year ago | ex-
pressed my views OF the necessity Of canal
which would link the two great oceans TO which
! again invite your consideration. The reasons
then presented for early action are even stronger
now
our interests In China.
In view Of disturbances In the populous prov
inceS Of northern China, where are many Of
our citizens, ana of the immnence OF disorder
near the capital and toward the Seaboard, a
guard Of marines was landed from the Boston
and stationed during last winter in the legation
compound at Picking. with the restoration OF
order this protection was withdrawn. The in
terests Of our citizens in that vast empire have
not been neglected during the past year. Ade-
quate protection has been secured for our mis-
sionaries and some injuries to their property
have been redreSsed,
American capital has sought and found vari-
Gus opportunities of competing To carry out the
internal improvements which the imperial gov
eminent Is wisely encouraging, and TO develop
the natural resources of the empire. Our trade
with China has continued to grow, and our COM
mercial rights under existing treaties have
been everywhere maintained during the past
year, as they will be in the future. The ex-
tension Of the area open TO international
foreign settlement at Shanghai and the opening
Of the ports of Marking, Tsing-Tao (iao
Chac) and Ta-Lien- Wan TO foreign trade and
settlement will doubtless afford American en-
terprse additional facilities ana new fields OF
which IL will not be slow to take advantage.
In my message TO congress OF December 3,
1898 / urged that the recommendation which
had been made TO the speaker of the house of
representatives by the secretary OF the treas
ury on the 18th Of June, 1898 for an appropria-
ton for commission TO study the commercial
and industrial conditions in the Chinese empire
and report as to the opportunities for, and OBJ
stacles TO, the enlargement Of markets In China
for the raw products and manufactures of the
United States, should receive ut your hands the
consideration which its importance and timeii
ness merited, but the congress failed TO take
action.
Inow renew this recommendation, as the inn
portance of the subject has steadily grown since
II was first submitted TO you, ana no time should
be lost in studying for ourselves the resources
of this great field for American trade und enter.
prise