The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-14
THE HOUSE AGAINST TRUSTS.
A Whooppin' Big Majority for the
Stevens Bill.

A Whooppin' Big Majority for the
Stevens Bill.
The Stevens Antitrust Bill weni
through the House on its third reading
yesterday with a bull-headed determine
ton calculated TO make one spit on his
hands and take a new grasp on his faith
in popular government.
To be sure there was some Mandy
pamby opposition to it, but it didn't
count more than six when it came to the
roll call.
Mr.. Gillian, of Edgecombc, opened
the discussion by inquiring of Mr..
Stevens what was the penalty for con
spiracy to defraud.
rs it a felony or misdemeanor?
Your bill provides that any one engag
ing in a trust shall be guilty of a con
spiracy TO defraud.'
Mr.. Stevens was not sure-whcther il
was a felony or a misdemeanor.
but I'd like to inquire why you ask
the question? Is it for information or
for the purpose of defeating the billg'
Its to show that you've introduced
and asked the passage of a bill here
with tile provisions Of which you your
self are not conversant."
THE BILL" replied Mr.. Stevens. ''is
copy OF one now in force in Georgia,
Illinois aud Missouri. and perhaps other
States, and it's one that the last Demo
cratic Acknowledgement of this State
recommended be enacted into law"
Mr.. Ronshall amended the bill to the
effect that nothing in it should apply to
trust stock that might be held by any
educational institution in the State
1t was pointed out that several colleges
in the State owned stock III the biggest
trusts in the country.
Mr.. Stevens refused to accent the
amendment. but said he was willing to
accept it if made to read present in
vestment, rs this could not injure the
colleges as they now stood. but that he
wanted to prevent them having any fu-
tnre dealings with trusts.
In this position he WAS strongly back
ed M by Mr., Thompson. of Onslow.
The colleges, especially the church
colleges, ought to shun even the appear
ance of evil Will the church come here
and ask to be allowed to go hand in
hand with evil. while others are pro-
hibted by law? Are the church col
leges, that are expected TO teach orr
boys and girls of the meek and lowlv
Jesus. to come here and ask Il special
dispensation to allow them to feast and
fatten on the ill-eotten gains of a greedv
trust! If even the church has descended
to this. then Where shall the ungodly and
the sinner stand:
Mr.. Boushall believed in letting the
colleges, and the church. TOO. take al
they could get IF Mr.. Duke or Mr.
Rockefeller or Mr.. ANYBODY Else wanted
10 give trust stock. LET them do so end
let the colleges take it to educate the
poor boys and girls of the land.
Mr.. Stevens--.'To do 90 vop WIZ have
to wink at evil. I don't believe the hest
interests of the educational Institutions
Of the State demand it,"
Mr.. Ransom, of Macklenhurg-'.If we
allow our educational institutions to sub
sist on trust money need we be sur
prised if our children are taught that
trusts are divine things-just, proper
and altogether richteous:"
Mr.. Robinson, of Cumberland amend-
ed Mr.. Roushall's amendment to make
it read present" investments in trust
stock.
Mr.. Stevens accented the amendment.
Mr.. Boushall said he too would ac-
cent it as he didn't see much chance of
getting his amendment through without
it.
The amendment was adopted.
Mr.. Gattis amended TO strike OFT the
words land preponderance of evidence
shall be sufficient TO authorize verdict
and judgement for the State"
The House refused by an overwhelm-
inc vote to adopt this amendment.
An amendment nv Mr.. Ilowery. (Ren.l,
of Forsyth, prohibiting trusts cutting
prices met THE same fate
Mr.. Davis. of Haywood sad he was
opposed to any amendment. He wanted
a hill TINT was worth something if he
had hill at ali.
''I'm opposed TO side lining. horn
polling or cutting this bulls tai in any
way. The bills good one, and Tn not
going TO vote for any more amendments.
Mr.. Gillian. however. bad one that
he wanted adopted-thongh it w'snt.
1t provided that the bill should not go
into effect until January /. 1900. lie
said there were hundreds OF people in
the State owning trust stock. and as
this hill cut-lawed them he wanted to
give thcl1 time to get ont of the State.
His amendment shared the fate OF
the others and the House proceeded to
a vote.
The roll call resulted: Ayes, 6S; noes,
Those VOTING ''no" were: Messrs. fsil-
liam, Julien. Mcneil. Nicholson. of Per-
quimans: Whitfield and Willard.
TO SETTLE PTrRLIC PRINTING.
And also Pill 70 Abolish Col Jay