The times., 1899-03-26
Profitable Nirtue

The suggestion of several Republican
newspapers that are known to be very
friendly with the Mckinley syndicate that
the trusts need legislative attention has
been regarded By some observers as an evil
dence that even protection newspapers
cannot stand the menace of these monopo-
lies. That ought not to be surprising when
we consider the rate at which new trusts
are recorded in Wall Street and the tre-
mendous influence they can exercise over
social conditions. Men OF foresight who
have sincere concern for the independ-
ence OF the American people can see much
10 alarm them in the rapid suppression of
all small industrial enterprises and the
passing of business into the control OF a
single board OF trustees in each case. There
is reason enough why newspapers should
warn the party managers that if they fail
10 scquit the organization of subservience
10 the trusts the people may rise in their
wrath and despair and smash the party.
But we do not think the particular Re-
publican editors who cry this warning have
any fears of popular uprising. They have
always believed it is easy to induce the
people to neglect the things that should
be their first and chief care, by arousing
their partisan prejudices and deluding then.
into thinking the safety Of the country de-
pends on Republican success. There must
be some other motive than interest in the
welfare of the masses on the part of jour
mails that uphold protection system which
is designed to benefit the few at the ex-
pense OF the many, TO breed trusts, and pre-
vent this great industrial nation from seiz-
ing a proper share OF the worlds trade.
Men who favor conditions that create trusts
are not above suspicion when they assail
the trusts What the position OF the Ad-
ministration is regarding these increasing
monopciies we know from the opinion OF
the Attorney General that the solitary Re-
publican law against them is wholly impo-
tent to check their operations.
1t is not very long since Senator Hanna.
the head of the Mckinley syndicate. and
general manager OF the Republican organi-
zation, was said to have made a tour of the
districts where the trusts have their head
quarters. and that he was very much de-
pressed by the outlook for campaign con-
tr1butions. For some reasons the monop-
oifhts we're inuisposeo 10 make promises.
Perhaps they relied on the fact that many
of the influential Republicans hold large
blocks Of trust stocks, and that some of
the most eloquent Republican orators and
Legislators are the paid attorneys of the
combines. They seemed to doubt the
necessity OF meeting the campaign de-
mands ms a means Of protection 1t is not
unfair to assume that the anti-trust sug-
gestions OF the newspapers referred to
have for their purpose the stirring up of
the reluctant trustees; to indicate to them
the Importance OF producing when the
collector comes around The syndicate on
Jekyl Island has been making plans for
next year. and one of the chief prelimi-
naries has always been to pull the Leg
of the favored capitalists. If the trusts
are as sensitive and wise as they are sup
posed to be. they viii take steps to stife
Republican newspaper criticisms, VIII