Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-05-04
Republicanism and Trusts.

o
Bryan Democracy and Of the rem
nants Of Populism are expansion and
trusts, both Of which they couple to-
gether and charge up to Republican
ism with perfectly reckless abandon.
1t SO happens that the Republican
party has held no national convention
since the question of expansion came
up hence has formulated no plank
upon that subject. If, however, it
does favor that theory when the 1900
convention meets it will receive the
endorsement of nine-tenths Of the
American people.
But suppose the Republican party
should declare in favor Of expansion,
even in favor Of the absolute reten-
ton Of the Philippines, what them
What possible connection would there
be between this line of public policy
and the matter OF industrial trusts?
The subject of expansion is one OF
a public character, OF foreign rela-
tions, requiring for its consummation
the exercise Of the high prerogatives
of the Federal government. But the
question OF trusts is one OF pure
economics, and has no possible con-
nection with political principles.
Trusts may be formed by private in
dividuals, or by private corporations,
acting under state laws alone. The
subjects with which such organiza-
lions may deal are of private ma
ture, and relate solely to industrial
matters. Trusts are not authorized
by Federal statutes, are not f0stered
bv governmental action, are not sub
lect to governmental supervision or
control, and are, therefore, of an en-
tircly private character, and as such
they are recognized by the laws Of,
and by State and Federal governments
alike. Trusts may sue and be sued
as private corporations; their charter
may be annulled by courts of COM
petent jurisdiction, upon. due cause
being shown. States may, and 90, as
in Ohio, Georgia, and Arkansas did and
Kansas has attempted partly to do,
prohibit the operation Of trusts with
in their respective Jurisdictions, and
State courts may enforce the statutes
Of the State in respect to trusts.
There are one or two facts In regard
to trusts that the Bryanites seem to
overlook. Trusts obtained their
greatest Roadway and taught the
manipulators of such organizations
their potent utility, under the reign
of Grover Cleveland. 1t was during
this reign that the sugar trust forti.
fled itself behind Democratic legisla-
ton. Republican influences forced
the sugar trust out of New York un-
der the decision Of Republican
court Of appeals, in the leading case
of People VS.. The North River Sugar
Refinery. Then this trust went across
the river into New Jersey and under
favorable Democratic legislation, re-
organized and bid defiance to the New
York courts and people. Under
New Jersey Democratic laws and not
in Republican New York nine-tenths
of the trust charters today are taken
out, New jerseys treasury is filled
with revenues from charges for issu'
ing such charters. Under a Republic
can administration, the trusts are
being driven out of Ohio. A Repub.
lican government enacted the fedora
antitrust statute, known as the
SHERMAN Act" under which railway
pooling has been inhibited by the re-
cent decisions OF the United States
supreme court. What has the Dem
ocratic party done to break up trusts
The question Of trusts is one of {
purely private, domestic character
that Of expansion, or 'imperialism,
is quite another thing. The attemp
of the Bryan crowd to mix up trusts
expansion, enslavement of the com
mon people, and a multitude Of actua
or anticipated evils, suggests the ple'
Of a tramp, at farm yard, who cx
claimed "Mssus, can yer give
Teller drink of water, 'cose is s
hungry and don't know where to sta
tonight"
Dewey's Day.