The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-12-21

dustries remains u1accoT panied by
progress on the seas. There is no
lack of constitutional authority for
legislation which shall give to the
country maritime strength c0mmen-
surate with its industrial achievements
and with it's rank among the nations
of the earth. The past year has re-
corded exceptional activity in our ship
yards, and the promises of continual
prosperity in shipbuilding are abund-
ant Advanced legislation for the pro-
lection Of our seamen has been en-
acted. Our coast trade, under regula-
tions wisely framed at the beginning
Of the government ard since, shows re-
suits for the past fiscal year unequal
ed in our records of those of any other
power. We shall fail TO realize our
opportunities, however, if we COM
PLEASANTLY regard only matters at
home and blind ourselves to the neces-
sity of securing our share in the val
liable carrying trade of the world.
A Chapter on Trusts.
Combinations of capital organized
into trusts to control the conditions Of
trade among our citizens, 70 stife com
petition, limit production and deter
consumed by the people are justly
should early claim the attention Of
the congress.
The industrial commission, created
by the act of the congress Of June IS,
1898. has been engaged in extended
hearings upon the disputed questions
involved in the subject Of combina-
ir INT Of
petition They have not yet completed
their investigation Of this subject. and
the conclusions and recommendations
at which they may arrive are unde-
termined.
1t Is universally conceded that COM
binations which engross or cOntro! the
market of any particular kind Of mer-
chandise Or commodity necessary to
the general community by suppress
ing natural and ordinary competition,
whereby prices are urduly enh2nced
to the general consumer are obnoxious,
not only to the common law, bat also
to the public welfare There must be
remedy for the evils evolved in such
organizations. If the present law can
be extended more certainly tC con-
troll or check these mo1Opolies or
u uSlS IL SuOulu NC iDut WITHOUT lCtiy.
Whatever power the congress pos
sesses over this most important sub
ject should be promptly aScertained
and asserted.
President Harrison's MESSAGE Of
Dec. 3, 1889, is then quoted, and i'resi-
dent Mckinley proceeds:
An act to protect trade and COM
merce against unlawful restraints and
monopolies was passed by congress on
the I'd of July, 1890. The provisions
of this statute are comprehensive and
stringent. 1t declares every contract
or combination, in the form of q trust
or otherwise. of conspiracy in the re-
straint of trade or commerce among
the several states or with FOREIGN ma
tions to be unlawful. It dancminates
as a criminal every person who makes
any such contract or engages In any
such combination or conspiracy. and
provides a punishment by fine Or i'm
prisOnment. 1t further cCnfers unon
any person who shall be injured in his
business or property by any other rc~-
son or corporation by reason Of any
thing forbidden or declared to be TN
lawful by the act the power to sue
therefor in any circuit court of the
United States without respect to the
amount in controversy, and to recover
threefold the damages by him sus-
tanned and the costs of the suit, irclud-
ing reasonable attorney fees. It will
be perceived that TIE act is aimed at
every kind Of combination in the ma
ture of a trust or monopoly in re-
straint of interstate or international
commerce.
Oh
quotation from the message of Pres
ident Cleveland of Dec. 7. 1896, declar-
ing the laws passed for their suppress
sion ineffective. President Mckinley
then urges uniformity Of legislation on
the part of the several states The
message proceeds:
Our Foreign Relations.
A review of our relations with for
eign states Is presented with such rec
concentrations as are deemed appropri-
ate.
The long pending boundary dispute
between the Argentine Republic and
Chile was settled in Ne ~ch last by the
award of an arbitral commission, on
which the United States minister at
BuenOs Ayres served as umpire
Progress has been made toward the
conclusion of a convention of extradi-
ton with the Argentine Republic Hav-
ing been advised and consented to by
the United States senate and ratified by
Argentina, it only awaits the adjust
ment OF some slight changes in the
text before exchange.
1t is gratifying to be able to an
nounce that the Belgian government
has mitigated the restrictions on the
importation of cattle from the United
States, to which l referred in my last
annual message.
Having been invited by Belgium tC
participate in a congress held at Brus-
sells to revise the provisions of the gen
eral act of July 2, 1890, for the repres-
sion OF the African slave trade, to
which the United States was a sigma
tory party, this government preferred
not to be represented by a plenipoten-
tiary, but reserved the right of access
sion to the result. Notable changes
were made, those especially concern
ing this country being in the line of
the increased restriction of the dele
FERROUS trade in spirituous liquors with
the native tribes, which this govern
ment has from the outset urgently ad-
Fotdteu ue duleuueu general act
will be laid before the senate, with a
view to its advice and consent.
Early in the year the peace of Bolivia
was disturbed by a successful insur-
rection. The United States minister
remained at his post, attending to the
American interests in that quarter and
using besides his good offices for the
protection of the interests of British
subjects in the absence of their ma
tional representatives.
Our representative has been instruct
ed to use all permissible friendly en-
beavers to induce the government OF
Bolivia to amend it's marriage laws sc
as to give legal status to the non
Catholic and civil marriages of aliens
within its jurisdiction, and strong
hopes are entertained that the Bolivian
law in this regard will be brought. as
| was that of Peru some years ago, into
| harmony with the general practice OF
| modern states
ExtraditiOn Treaty With Brazil
convention of extradition with
Brazil, signed May IA. 1891 has been
ratified by the Brazilian legislature.
The claim growing out of the seiz.