Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-02-03
ENcRoACHMENTs OF TRUSTS.

ENCROACHMEN Or IHOSIS'
The department store is driving the
smaller concerns to the wall by tens
of thousands. The great manufactur-
ing institutions are driving the small
factory out Of existence. The great
milling combines are closing up all
Of the smaller mills, and the mines
are all being bought up and controlled
by great corporations. What does this
mean? Nothing less than a country
made up OF a few thousand masters
with millions Of servants. One man
dictates, the rest must obey. This is
true; no man can fail to realize IT,
Now, we ask our readers, Is this
desirable condition to exist in a re-
public? VIII the interests OF the
families of these powerful plutocrats
be in common with those who LABOR
by the day? Will the laws governing
suffrage be equally agreeable to both!
Will the laws governing taxes be sub
mitted to by all with equal grace!
Will the plutocrat bow to the VIII Oh
the majority II they pass law which
he believes to be detrimental to MS
interests? The only answer necessary
to this question is to point to thelr
actions in the recent past. III they 90
not take kindly to a proposed law OF
a proposed policy, which Is to be de-
termined at an election, what methods
will they adopt to effect its defeat!
What weapons have they to fight with!
We answer, coercion and corruption.
Having the power to employ or dis
! charge man would also, under that
state OF affairs, carry with 1t his en-
tire future prosperity or downfall.
For under the blacklisting system, to
| be discharged from one place woulu
disbar him with all others. This pow
erful lever has been felt in the past
enough to realize what would be It's
effect. Then those who could not be
driven or could be more easily won by
bribery could be controlled by that
means. Could the people win against
two such powerful agents? Never.
Some say yes, "they will never submit
to such methods" We answer, they
have submitted and are submitting at
this day. But they say IF 1t goes
too far they will revolt" If they did,
it would be anarchy. Would 1t not be
wise to take steps to prevent this con-
dition rather than to be forced TO
resort to harsher means later! IL
would, but there are grave doubts that
it will be done. The trusts will con-
tinue to grow, the small dealer forced
to close his shop and look for JoD.
The poor houses will continue to
spread over more acres, until IL
can be borne no more, when desper-
ate humanity will, in their frenzy
tear down their houses because the
roof leaks, instead of repairing It,
They say it is poor doctor VINO
diagnoses a case, but can prescribe no
cure. So We propose a remedy.
First. Let every state and the ma
ton amend its constitution, providing
for direct legislation, thus insurlng ma
jority rule, and taking out Of the
hands of judges the power to thwart
the will of the people.
Second. Let the civil service laws
he perfecteG and extended to cover
every branch of public service.
Third Enforce every law that stands
upon the statute books. If there rs
not sentiment strong enough in IA
yor of it to have it enforced, let 1t be
repealed at once. There is no stronger
incentive to lawlessness among the VI
ciously disposed class than to see laws
violated by those who pretend to be
law abiding citizens.
Fourth. Let every public necessity
be controlled by civil organization to
which it caters. Let municipalities
control their local car lines, light,
heat. water, etc. Let the state control
its lands and it's mines. Let the ma
tional government control the national
railroads, telegraphs ard other enter
prizes in which all the states have an
interest, on the same plan that our
mail service is now managed
Fifth. Let every franchise granted
to a corporation to do business carry
with it provision that the state may
inspect it's books and that each en-
ploye shall be paid wage in proper
ton to the earnings of the enterprise.
And also to settle all disputes coming
up between the corporation and its
employees.
Some will say, This would check
enterprise" No, it would not, but it
would check robbery; it would stop
strikes, with their attending loss of
property, misery and bloodshed.