The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-10-17
STARK COUNTY DEMoCRAT TUESDAY OCTOBER II, 1899.

fiancs of the natural law of trade. Re-
solved into trust, however, manufac-
turers can again utilize the tariff for
more undeserved profits.
Each tariff must be more drastic
than its predecessor, calling for in
creased stimulant. It's purpose is
constantly neutralized by the active law
of freedom, which 1t disregards. The
Dingley tariff, the latest and most out
rageous of many despotic acts of a
democracy, early developed signs of
failure, and foreign war was precipi-
tated largely to cover high tariff short
comings and Justify new edicts for
revenue. But the higher the tariff WALL
the more internal monopolies are
fostered
CHIEF OBJECT OF TRUSTS.
The chief reasons put forward to
defend trusts are hollow and delusive.
Economy, cheapness and public ad-
vantage are not the true motives of
these combinations. The single object
is the enrichment of their promoters.
To hide this naked selfishness the
lpretense of public benefit is used as a
cloak The economies made accrue to
the trusts, seldom to the people, al
4
prices, owing to improved methods and
new inventions, is .unscrupulously
claimed as the result Of consolidation.
So far are tariff protected trusts from
lbenefitting the American people; 1t is
the foreigners who are benefited at
lour expense, the surplus product be-
ling marketed at low prices abroad to
maintain high prices at home.
To try and correct these evils by
special legislation is "ascidian folly"
Courts, legislatures and the ablest legal
talent are subordinated to these vast
land powerful interests. To evade
penalty a trust can change it's form
in twinkling when hard pressed. Laws
can be construed to favor any viola
ton, and the representatives of every
artificial trust are ably represented in
legislative and administrative depart
ments. No congress or tribunal is
impartial or Independent.
Already the promoter of ill-timed
trusts are trembling. The public have
declined their bait and in a money pinch
the banks will question and throw out
unmarketed securities. Manv of the
schemes are still-born. The undertaken
; knows that his services will soon be
wanted. The most bitter opponent of
trusts, If he possess his soul in peace,
will find a more complete punishment
meted out to them than he can plan.
EMERSON ABHORED.
Emerson wisely announced the law:
: wealth brings its own checks and
: balances. The basis of political economy
! Is non-interference. Do
not legislate. NEEDLE, and you snap the
sinews with your supptuary laws.
! Give no bounties; make equal laws.
The level of the sea is not
more surely kept than is the equilibrium
| of value in society by the demand and
supply; artifice or legislation Furnishes
itself, by reaction, gluts and bank
ruptcies."
|, The true safe guard against trusts
is not new enactments, but the re-
peal of old ones which have established
inequality and injustice. Land monop-
Iolies, public franchises appropriated to
, private uses, trade restrictions for
individual interests; these are the
, injurious combinations of capital. Un-
, til they are extirpated it is absurd to
J waste time in pruning the branches of
the evil.
J In the coming presidential struggle
both parties will make large professions
Of enmity to trusts, both platforms will
have alluring planks, but If new anti
| trusts legislation is the sole weapon of
; attack no life insurance company can
find risks half as favorable. The
shrewd managers will smile undisturbed
bug seriously.