Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-24
TWELVE PAGES
TUESDAY, JANUARY "a. 1899.
TRUSTS.

The evil of trusts is so widespread,
ramifying and blighting that it is diff
cult to pursue it into all the winnings
Of Its devious trial. Taken altogether,
these trusts already aggregate and rep
resent an enormous power and influence
Of consolidated capital and centralized
organization that over-shadow the
States. defy or contemn the ordinary
processes of courts, and endanger the
very existence, as they have over
mastered the departments of operations
OF the Federal Union. Even Il single
trust is n monster of such magnitude,
resources. and potentiality that. il for
no other reasons, 1t should not be
tolerated among a free people; and
their united combination is so stupen-
dous and formidable n menace to all
rights and all government-to all real
liberty-that not only the colossal cen
tral trust, but every trust coming I'M
der Federal jurisdiction should be
treated as q conspiracy and rebellion
incompatible with the safety of gov
eminent and its due administration, as
we'll as with the rights, liberties and
interests OF the people. That they can
be dealt with effectually, even now, by
any mild measures we do not believe
as. with rare exceptions. the Federal
courts. with many State ones,
curiously invest them with all the
rights. powers. privileges and immuni-
ties of individuals. and exempt them
from all the liabilities, restrictions and
processes that attach to the private
person. 1t is the political power OF the
country that can alone directly wrestle
with this monster; and the sooner it
brings its force to the work. the bet
ter for the country.
A portion of the press, as usual in
any case of public wrong or evil is
defending and advocating these UNI
comfortable monsters as benefactors.
although business and industry are in
Jured and menaced by their predomi-
nance. Articles which we reprint else
where set forth what has been done
and is projected by the trusts and their
agents. and we call the serious atten-
ton of all our readers to this matter.
The time for argument upon the
theory and practice of trusts has
passed, as these insolent combines. dis
daining argument and law. are rushing
rough shod over States, Courts and
people. if not over the Federal author.
tty itself. Action is required to meet
action. or soon these conspiracies will
be beyond all arrest or check What
they are even without ouxiljorv owl
dence supplied by what they have done
and are doing. ought to convince any
rational being that such aggregations
of capital and organized power. no
matter what is professed or designed
by them, are wholly insufferabie by
any government. The strongest inn
perial and military governments have
ganizations in self-defence, ms well as
for the public good
There is not a nation in Europe that
has not had, sooner or later. TO sup
press or expel similar mammoth con-
Germs. although protesting the hottest
and noblest aims; and If some of these
nations. against former experience. and
under the duress of money. are now
.tolerating trusts, they will soon dis
cover that these combines are not only
essentially in conflict with all safe and
Just public policy, but that they are
hotbeds of treason and sedtion. in
league with all the elements of usurpa-
tion and revolution. What is Congress.
lor there for2