Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-06-24
TWELVE PAGES
SATURDAY. JUNE "a. 1899.
MORAL AND MATERIAL MURDER

Call IT what you Will: plea. defence,
argument, the whole case for the trusts,
or overgrown combines. is a complete
begging OF the question: gross as
sumption Of the very point in dispute
God alone knows how long men have
been seeking to devise ways and means
for mutual defence against one an
other. and here comes this proposition.
as a finality OF all their seeking: Cast
away all thought of self-defence Sur
+. Yer Internationally to the trusts and
" Zines. Competition and all the ways
pans OF self defence are maintain
at vast cost to all. Discard them,
and welcome monopoly. This will unity
an interests. and on the surest basis:
for monopoly is the supreme method of
making and securing profit, and hon
esty Is the best policy which thus by
natural laws will constrain monopoly
by Its selflshness to deal fairly with and
for ALL"
The best material, the best work
manship and the best production. at the
lowest possible prices. will attract and
multiply custom; and as there Is no
competition for material. workmanship,
labor. production, nor custom. monop.
oily will thus result in the highest good
for all-the best profits for production
and consumption meeting and embrace
Ing in prices where all interests are co,
ordinated. harmonized and satisfied"
Material. having only one market and
one purchaser. will have to take what
81 "a nd
workmanship: and consumption, hav-
ing only one market and one seller. Will
have to pay the price asked. Formerly
competition protected material. labor
and workmanship. as we'll as consump-
ton; but monopoly drives out competi-
ton at both ends of trade and bust
ness. and not only buys and hires at It's
own prices. but sells a its own prices.
using such materials and workmanship.
as It pleases. And we are told that this
absolute control Of exchange by mo-
nopoly will supersede all necessity for
competition and that the very selfish
ness OF monopoly will coerce it to the
rule of honesty as the best policy. and
make 1t supply the best articles at the
lowest prices. OF course, this will be
miraculous, incredible and impossiblc.
even ais between monopolistic producer
and defence1ess commemorative is to
control monopoly by consuming less. If
the quality and price do not suit him!
But where is any safeguard for the
interests Of material. labor and work
manship? Are these. their interests
their profits and liberties. to be utterly
sacrificed to monopoly so that IL may
supply and serve consumers so as to at
tract the greatest trade and stimulate
tno greatest consumption? What Is
this. then? a conspiracy between mo-
nopolistic capital and consumers to de-
your the fruits OF the earth on their
own terms. at the pauperization and
ensiavement OF all who furnish labor
workmanship and material. 1t is not
even hinted that these factors of pro-
auction have any protection or recourse.
Their portion is abject submission. with
such allowances as may enable them to
serve their taskmasters at least cost
and trouble.
But monopoly is not thus rushing to
the front, with greed and avarice in IFS
eyes end cruel tyranny in all lis mo-
tions. for the purpose OF demonstrating
that honesty Is the best policy" to-
ward consumers. No! 1t will act ac-
cording to Its nature and not the
moral code. whether dealing with con-
sumers or producers: and the men who
rule the roost. debauchcd by power and
plumber, will verify the pYoverb that
dog win eat dog. and wolf will rend
ana devour wolf.