The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-31
Ghe Jftessenger.
THE OMNivORoUs TRUSTS

Trusts are forming most rapidly
one or more new ones almost every lay.
We saw a list Of trusts formed in 1898,
that would fill a column almost Of the
Messenger. They are Unsuitable and
oppressive, and are not without admir-
ers and defenders outside Of the all
devouring and all-absorbing enemies OF
The people. They grow rich beyond all
precedent and yet there are people VINO
say they are all right and really do
gold. The net profits of the great Eng
lish-American Thread Trust in 1898,
were Z 900, 900, and declared a divi-
dend of 80 per cent. How can sucn an
octopus bless a country or the people
in any part of it outside of the mber
of the trust?
Would you learn something or the
methods of greedy and consc1encedeSs
trusts? Then read this from the Phil
adelphia Record, one of the most relia-
BILE of northern papers that is a gold
bug to the core:
There has been an advance of 81
per ton on wire and wire nails. rms
il the first fruit of the accomplished
combination CD ~&AAS
with a capital of $50, 900, 900. The tarlff
on wire is about 45 per cent, and on
wire nails the duty ranges from IL TO
/ cent per pound. AS wire and wire
nails are 50 cheaply made in the Unit
ed States as to preclude importation,
the tariff brings in no revenue; it only
serves as a secure basis or eXtortlon
from home consumers.
1.-THE Wire Trust is practically in
vited to tax the people who use wire
and wire nails, and it has not been
slow in Ievying it's unjust tribute.
Behold, the blessings in store for the
people in such a concern formed to
advance prices and get rich out of con-
sumers. n N. Y. Herald estimates
the capital of the new trusts last year
to aggregate 81, $50, 900, 600, bonded in
debtedness some fifth of that sum. The
Baltimore Sun discriminatory and in
structively avs:
There are, strictly speaking, no
trusts in the original sense of the word.
That is to say, trusts are now unlaW-
full, and there are no trustees known,
as formerly, to hold a majority of the
stock of the companies trusted The
object of the trusts otto day are, new
ertheless, about the same as of old,
they are nearly as effectually accom-
plished. There are agreements betWeen
competitors in some cases as to prices,
with or without penalties. In other
cases are huge consultations Of in
dustries throughout wide areas. Any
sort of association or combination OF
producers to control prices or wages
is now popularity called a trust. The
past year was remarkable for the ex-
tension of the principle of combination
for the control Of production and prices,
and the present year begins with he
tendency in active Development
Is it not time that theco ngress and
the legislatures and the courts were in
motion to try to put breaks on these
combines, corporations for plumber?
Must they continue to grind the faces
of and have their own bad
way without question or opposition?
There ought to be some way fOund by
which their fangs could be extracted.
He will be indeed a true friend of hu-
mainly and a blessing to our great
plan to not only scotch the trust snake
but to kill it.
Trusts are not only very oppressive,
but they are dangerous. They are able
~ SO1lAO1AAC oSolAAo Ia pSOPAN' 1865
public sentiment, to outrage the courts
and to do just as they please. Thew
are extremely powerful in their aggre-
gated strength, and simply despise and
defy the usual processes of law. They
are bold, aggressive, defiant, of su-
preme insolence and power. The ably
edited Norfolk V~irginian-Pilot in a
strong article against trusts, says this:
Even a single trust is a monster of
such magnitude, resources, and pOten-
TALLY that, if for no other reasons, 1t
should not be tolerated among a free
people; and their united combination
is so stupendous and formidable a
menace to all Iberty-that not only the
colossal central trust, but every trust
coming under federal jurisdiction
should be treated as a conspiracy and
rebellion incompatible with the safety
of government and it's due administra-
ton, 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 n 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 1t
brings it's force to the work, the better
for the country
If vigorous and prompt steps are not
taken to put a very severe curb upon
the greedy monsters, or even attack
them to actual suppression altogether.
then the people are reduced to a condi-
ton of slavery hat will be in the end
not as good as imperialism in fact, or
the paternal, one man government of
Russia. TIL baleful Flower of New
York advices the youth Ito join a
trust That is about as vile as to say
Young man, get there if you have to
be dishonest"
HOWE 9Th