The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-09-19
TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER 10, 1899.


', e all important to understand just
what we mean when we talk Of Trusts
Ia a corporation. pure and simple what
We mean? Every man would answer
mo" Is f. a consolidation Of corpora
lions? Many men who are loudest in their
denunciations OF Trusts viii speak aD-
knowingly of consolidation of separate
railroad corporations that have given them
far better service The thing denounced
a. the principle that allows a number of
persons, whether corporations or individ-
uals TO pool their resources and co-ope-
rate as one person, since that pooling al
lows those persons TO acquire a power
which is thought to De detrimental TO the
rest Of the people
In his Trust speech in Chicago on Sat-
urday Mr.. William J. Bryan said Few
people will defend the Trust as prin-
ciple." We don't kno" Sd mueh "p'"l
that
II is absolutely true. as any one having
the slightest Acquaintance with manu-
facture knows. that in almost every
branch OF manufacture improved ma
chinery and quick Transmission ST bulks
and intelligence. which steam and cleo
trlcity have made possible have enabled
competitors TO rush each other 20 sucn
point that they simply destroy each other.
II IS a case i'm which all must pale before
the strongest one unless some brake can
be nut upon competition. This IS no the
DRY. II T. AN absolute fact which no man
will deny who has information and in
telligence enough TO entiue him to near
ing in the discussion. Very well' If that
be so will not the conditions that existed
before the Trust commenced produce
what is a Trust in substance that Is, the
exclusive control Of the one man VINO
survives in the battle of competition?
Which is better that the one man should
dominate q field covered over with the
dead bodies OF his competitors. or that
all competitors should meet together.
pool their resources and divide out equi-
tably amongst themselves what the line OF
business will produce?
We may wriggle around In this discus
sion as We choose and seek TO evade the
two issues as we win, but We are always
brought back 10 the same proposition
and that IS that we must give mp steam'
electricity and improved machinery or
submit TO tine Trust The Trust Is ma
lures method FOR curbing unrestrained
competition. II VIC are ready for the
stage coach aud tallow dips again then
we can kin the Trusts. II We would hold
on 10 Pullman palace cars and eiectIic
TIGHTS then We must tolerate the Trusts.
Mr. Bryan is very much mistaken then
when he thinks few persons "iil defend
the Trust upon principle Upon the CON
trary We think that no man who under
stands the subject will condemn them
upon principle. We have pointed out
above some Of the economic reasons
which make them necessary ana we may
add that for a party Of men 20 pool their
resources and operate as one man Is moth
ing more than the exercise by each indi-
vldual OF his natural right 10 do with his
own AS he will II b. nothing but a form
Of partnership. and that has been thought
one OF the natural rights of men ever
since Adam had two sons 90 work TO-
Veiher SO far from men defending Trusts
upon principle. VIC do not see how Mr.
BRYAN. who sets himself up as the High
Priest Of ndlyiduansra. can deny this
right Of any citizen 10 so into amy form
u partnership that suits him.