The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-01-12

baii Durham concern by Gel. j. >.
Carr.
(RaleiSh Post.)
We give elsewhere statement
from Col. Julian :. Carr relative to
the current rumor that The Black
well Durham Tobacco Company had
sold out 10, become . part Of or ah-
sorbed by Trust organization.
The Post has no criticism of Col.
Carr for The action OF himself and as
>ociates in selling their business oul
70 another corporation. Il was 4
strictly business transaction involv-
inr neither moral nor legal ohiec-
tions. As we understand it. certain
gentlemen. who doubtless deserve
financial and other character, or
ganiZCd themselves to conduct the
manufacture of tobacco in various
ways on Il large scale, recognizing
that TO compete successfully in that
line Of business with the other great
company organized by other gentle
men equally as meritoriouS and en-
gagged in the same buSincss-tne
American Tobacco Company-that
large capital and a large combination
Of business capacity was necessary.
Both concerns, however, are trusts
legal trusts if you please-business
organizations formed within the re
quircments and the limitations of
established commercial law, and so
conducted so far as we have ever
been able to ascertain. There may
be Illegal trusts. those combinations
formed for the '.reStraint Of trade.
to destroy Legitimate competition by
illegal methods. and force up prices
beyond reasonable and just limit.
All such are in violation of the law
and should not only he ..restraincd>
themselves. but should receive tie
most potent OF all condemnation.
that of public opinion and refusal Of
patronage. But all trusts are not
illegal. and the charge that such is
the case is discreditablc to the in
tclligence Of those who make if. and
calculated to create unjust if not
dangerous sentiments among the
people. 1t NAV be unfortunate that
any enterprise should be entered
upon or attempted that requires a
large amount OF capital-too much
capital in the hands of an individual
| or an association Of individuals, like,
little learning, may be 4 dangerous
thing. And il may be just as un-
fortunate that 10 Limitation has ever
| been placed upon the amount OF
! money or capital al Individual or Il
company may own, acquire or use,
in business, or personal pleasure
| But no such limitation has ever been
established in moral or statute iaW,
and only exists in the minds of the
disappointed, the cnvion&, the un-
charitable The evolution ard
changes that have been going on for
several years following and resulting
| from the stupendous. almost insane,
| spirit Of speculation which overran
! and dominated this land for two
| decades, covering two-thirds of the
life Of generation, have brought
| caIamitieS and distress. and aroused
| the otherwise latent animositleS of
those who have suffered disappoint-
mcnt and rcvcrses.
All this is grieyously unfortunate;
but does not Justify the wholesale
| and indiscriminating assaults or
ganized or otherwise, upon those
| who after weathering the storm by
prudential methods resort to such
new methods as the changes have
compelled in order to continue
business at all. Laws have there
| fore been made to Justify the com
bination of money and labor to carry
on enterprises which otherwise
could not be maintained and meet
| the demands Of society and man
kind generally. These organiZa.
lions. under these laws, are called
..trusts," and so long as they comply
with the laws by which they arc
created they are not only not illegal
but valuable. for without the com
bination of capital and labor whic'
these laws permit very many o
what have become the necessary
utilities Of life. as well rs many
necessaries which enter into oul
daily economy and which have beer
! greatly cheapcned, would be beyon'
the reach of the great public, or no
in existence at all.
This is the sort OF trust we under
stand the Union Tobacco Compan.
which has bought the Blackwell
Durham establishment and wlsel.
employed Col. Carr to manage, +
be: like unto in all respects the grea
American Company with which tn
new company completes. Col. Gar
listhercfore not justly opon to critics
for his business relations with thi
new and we trust to become popul;
candidate for public favor.
And all will heartily unite vii
Col. Carr in wishing that the ne'
company will aid in creating such
demand for the weed that our IA
mers may reap much higher price
than have prevailed, while we VII
consume il may not be made t
suffer beyond the pang7 OF ha'ih
TO contribute to the Internal reYenu
collected in behalf OF war 10
humanity in Cuba and plumber in II
Pacific.