The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-27
Combines and Trusts.

Houston. Texas. August Gp.-Ihe trusts,
lmonopolics and combines are being discussed
by the people and press. hope the agitation
will result in the accomplishment OF some
good. Tho awakened interest shows which
way the wind blows. Sincerely trust the
breeze will reach the velocity OF cyclone
and sweep them all OIL the lace oil the eaTth
Arouse the masses 10 a realizing sense OF the
gravity OF the situation ere 1t be TOO late!
The Americans are said to be a patent
people, but they have reached point where
patience ceases to be virtue. These com
hines and trusts are like the devll-hsh,
reaching out its long sinuous tentacles,
grasping all that comes within their reach,
crushing and sucking its blood. sorslnG
its Unsuitable NAV, never satshed femem-
Der a conversation / had with a strong ad-
vocate of the gold standard pending the cleo
ton. made the assertion that IN the event
of Mckinley $ election his first public act
would be to have a high protective tariff law
passed. Were words ever more prOphetlc. OF
literally fulfilled? / reasoned from his cam
paign speeches he would toucn on the cur
rency question: but Immediately jump off
onto the low tariff and arraign it for every
conceivable difficulty that existed at that
time clearly mitigating that nigh protection
would be the one aud only salvation for the
county; the only panacea or balm to heal Its
wounds What clap-trap! He imaugurated
system by his high protective tariff which is
the father OF all the rest made posslble-hish
trusts. high mouopoics and combines and
all other schemes of like character, hedging
in the people. forcing them to patronize mo-
nopolies under the mlsnomer OF home in
dustries. But stripped of this glamour 1t
means protection Tor the few at the expense
of the many, or masses.
Is not this iniouitous high protection re-
sponsible for the inflated values OF the neces-
snries OF life. which speaks more forcibly
than words to tho toilng millions. saying,
Pay the price, 10 without or starNc.'
Men Of these United states. viii you sit
supinely down and longer listen to this siren
song OF protection. that like the vampire
fans aud lulls its victim to sleep while 1t
sucks his lite-hlood? This word has two
fold Significance In that II Is misleading
How solicitioua, lSlsd aad fatherly 1t sounds.
charming the unthinking into false security.
All. my friends he not deceived by these
"charmers, charm they never so wisely" The
lions paw conceals its sharp claws and its
gentle purring but lures you 10 your doom.
AS surely as these combines are slowly
employment untold millions. the one question
which will vitality concern the multitude will
be What shall we eat and wherewithal
shall we be clothed while Moneybags sits
behind his millions veritable dictator, made
so by the money wrung from the toilers of
this land.
strange this hydra headed monster If they
will but act wisely and we'll, taking for their
motto the watchword of their forefathcrs,
Put none but Americans on guard tonight"
Fut none but the friends of the people into
your legislative halls-men true and tried.
who can not be bought or coerced, who esteem
principle above money; men who would rather
be right than president. | believe there is
honor in the old land yet that can not be
ruled by these heartless corporations, sons OF
our forefathers who still regard their obliga-
lions to emulate their truth and principles
io' which they fought bled and died. that their
posleritv should enjoy rights and opportuni-
ties which are the inalienable gifts guaranteed
to every American citizen.
Is II not a most sacred duty and trust COM
mitted TO us TO see to 1t that our posterity
as well as ourselves, throw off the shackles
which viii bind us to more calling slavery
than that ever exercised by a heather Pha-
raoh2 At first these colossal combines were
startling and excited great and universal
but now they are multiplying so
rapidly, and seem 10 be such an accepted evil. /
that their announcement does not call forth
even passing remark. Have We become like |
The poor beetle, which becomes paraly2ed As
soon as a certain kind of moth crosses it's
path. gives up without a struggle and does not
make even an attempt to save itself, but blind
Is submits to its fate?
But perhaps some one will say this is an
lverwrought picture. To be forewarned is to
pc toroarmed There are none so blind as
heV who will not see. Surely it does not
'eqnire a, philosophers stone to divine the
renches with the starving poor: make room
or others begging bread from door 10 door,
Is this to he the requiem song, the funeral Il
Urge 10 our boas,ed civilization. 1.-THE land OF II
he free and the home of the brave?' The II
orclng through congress, under high pressure.
i the Dingley bill, a MSh protective tariff,
when was hypocritcally bla2oned to the
world abroad as a safeguard to protect Ameri- II
an industries. and paying higher wages 10
he laborer, was simply fudge and bosh. Have
men suddenly grown so virtuous and merci-
III that they would pass protective laws to
oneiit the dear people? The American people
re no longer infants, wearing swaddllns
lothes. but have arrived at the full grown
tarlire of robust manhood, able TO compete
With any nation on this habitable globe, The
United States have the money, skilled labor
nd inventive genius to manufacture all ar
ces as cheaply, and in many instances much
acre cheaply, for this country has within its
oundaries the raw crude material waiting
Employment at paying wages. were they not
cid in the iron grasp OF these monopolies
This country is suffering far more from
than overproduetion. No sane
erson except those interested but knows the
Iingley bin was rushed through congress
lainy to protect the millionaires Does not
be result clearly demonstrate the tact2 Wnt
ad the money to invest In these colossal
rusts? Is IL not the millionaire Are my
1 the poor interested in them? There is 10th
ng LETT but air and water,
When this country, by high protective tariff
proes out all competition with foreign coun.
RES and by It's trusts, combines and monopo-
es makes the same state TO exist here in
ur own land can any one imagine the destl-
ntion and suffering that will reign supr,u,ep
re the people ready TO accept unconplaln-
ugly such condition, TO become mere hew
rs OF wood and drawers OF water for tho ,
ioneyed lord who sits In his castle and ms
ass concern or pity In his soul for the distress
the poor than for his horse or dogs?