The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-12-08

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trust fund from which greenbacks shall
be redeemed upon presentation but when
once redeemed shall not thereafter be
paid out except for goil.
OUR MERCHANT MARINE
The value of an American merchant
marine to the extension of our CONNER
cial trade and the strengthening of our
power upon the sea, invites the inn
mediate action of congress. our ma
tional development will be one sided
and unsatisfactory 80 long as the re-
markable growth of our inland indus
tries remains unaccompanied by pro-
gress upon the seas. There is no lack
of constitutional authority for legisla-
ton which shall give to the country
maratime strength commensurate with
it's Industrial achievements and With its
rank among the nations of the EARTH D
The past year has recorded exception
al activity in our ship yards, and the
promises of continual prosperity in ship
building are abundant Advanced Leg
islation for the prota ,tion of our sea-
men has been enacted. our coast trade,
under regulations, wisely framed at the
beginning of the government and since,
shows results for the past fiscal year
unequaled in our records Cr those of any
other power. We shall fail TO realize
our opportunities, however, if we COM
placently regard only matters at home
and blind ourselves to the necessity of
securing our share in the valuable car
rying trade OF the world. Last year
American vessels transported q smaller
share Of our exports and imports than
during any former year in all our his
tory, and the measure of our depen-
dence upon foreign shipping was pain
fully manifested to our people. Without
any choice of our own, but from neces-
sity, the departments of the govern
ment charged with military and naval
operations in the east and west Indies,
has to obtain from foreign flags mer-
chant vessels essential for these ope
rations.
The other great nations have not hes
itated to adopt the required means to
develop their shipping as a factor in
national defense and as one of the sur
est and speediest means of obtaining for
their producers a share in foreign mar
kets Like Vigilence and effort on our
part cannot fail to improve our situa-
ton, which is regarded with humiliation
at home and with surprise abroad.
Even the seeming sacrifices which at
the beginning may be involved, will be
Offset later by more than equivalent
gains The expense is as nothing COM
pared to the advantage to be achieved
The establishment of our merchant
marine involves in large measure our
continued industrial progress and the
extension of our commercial triumphs
l am satisfied the judgment Of the coun-
try favors the policy of aid to our mer-
oh nnf nj ,saI,
commerce and mark as an upbuilder our
sea-carrying capacity for the products
of agriculture and manufacturer which
with the increase oIy-5ur navy, mean
more work and wages to our country
men, as we'll as a safeguard to Ameri-
can interests in every part of the world
THE TRUSTS.
Combinations of capital organized in
to trusts to control the conditions of
trade among our citizens, to stifle COM
petition, limit production, and deter |
mine the prices of products used and |
consumed by the people, are Justly pro-
voking public discussion, and should |
early claim the attention of the con-
gress.
The industrial commission, created |
by the act of congress of June IS, 1898, |
has been engaged in extended hearings |
upon the disputed questions involved in |
the subject of combinations in restraint |
of trade and combinations. They have |
not yet completed their investigation |
of this subject and the conclusions and |
recommendations at which they may |
arrive. are undetermined.
The subject of one giving rise to many |
divergent views as to the mature and
variety of cause and extent of the in
juries to the public which may result |
for the large combinations concentrat-
ing more or less numerous enterprises |
and establishments, which previously
to the formation of the combination,
We're carried on separately.
1t is universally conceded that COM
binations which engross or control the
market of any particular kind of mer-
chandise or commodity necessary to the
general community, by suppressing
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 public welfare. There must be
remedy for the evils involved in such
organizations. If the present law car
be extended more certainly to control
or check these monopolies or trusts, 1t
should be done without delay. What
ever power the Congress possesses over
this most important subject should be
promptly ascertained and asserted.
An act to protect trade and commerce
against unlawful restraint and monop
olies was passed by congress on the
second of July, 1890. The provisions IF
this statute are comprehensive and
stringent. 1t declares every contract
or combination, in the form of a trust
or otherwise, or conspiracy in the re-
straint of trade or commerce among
the several states or with foreign ma
tiOns, to be unlawful. 1t denominates
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. it invests the several cir
cult courts Of the U. s. with jurisdc-
tion to prevent and restrain violations
of the act and makes it the duty of the
several L. S. 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 prop
erty by any other person or corporation
nv reason of anything forbidden or de-
clared to be unlawful by the act the