The times., 1899-12-13
The Trnsts rs nn Issue.

The Trusts rs an Issue.
We are glad to see that one at least
Of the Democratic leaders in Congress real
izes the imminent necessity for bringing
the trust issue to the front and Re
publican professions regarding it TO test,
both without delay. Such course is at
once demanded in the interests of a mon
opoly-rdden people. and because. if the
party of the masses fails now 10 seize its
opportunity. the issue which should be as
important as any other in the campaign OF
1900 Will be taken out Of its mouth
We have read the imposing utterance Of
the President on the subject Of the trusts
in his message to Congress. The majority
in each house has listened TO his admoni-
ti0n. 10 the effect that if 1t finds any reason
TO think that additional legislation is need
ed to control or resist the power Of COM
binations which it may discover to be
in restraint of trade it should consider the
matter with pious and punctlious care.
We have heard the Presidential mouthpiece
on the floor Of the House of Representa-
tIves in an interview which he has not yet
denied. declaring that no trust legislation
appears TO be required; and We are strong
ly impressed by much other evidence that
the Senators and Representatives who have
charge of the Republican record making
for the session. are actively plotting and
working to find ways and means Of lodging
this dynamite question.
Yet it is TO be our privilege to see the
Republican State platform makers and con-
ventieils make up, as far as they can, for
whatever omissions may be managed by
their friends in Congress. by causing the air
to tremble with denunciations of trusts
and monopolies, and by pointing with pride
to the Supreme Court decision in the Ad-
dyston Pipe case. The Administration
theory IS that if the platforms and resolu-
tions of the party are only loud and savage
enough. the mass of voters viii not notice
what goes on. or does not, on Capitol
Hill
a few men like Senator Morgan realize
the opening which the divergence between
Republican pretension and Republican
purpose offers to the Democratic minority;
and We hope it may be generally recog-
nized and utilized. If the majority is sin
cere il viii not attempt to obstruct or gag
such reasonable legislation as that pro-
posed in the Morgan resolution. If it is
not sincere then its course and actions will
make that clear in spite of parliamentary
tactics in the Senate, and the suppression
of free speech in the House.
The Democratic party has seemed to be
badly in want of an issue Here is one
upon which it can score handsomely be-
tween now and next summer. and with
which upon the strength of its Congress
sional record. go before the country with
some degree Of confidence Under The wise
leadership Of Senator Morgan and Repre-
sentative Richardson, perhaps great deal
may be done in connection with the gold
and bank slavery legislation proposed by
the Hanna syndicate machine; but the trust
question should not be neglected even for
SO good q purpose as the exposure of Re
publican designs on the money OF the peo-
pie.
Possibly there may be Democrats even in
Congress who have not yet fully absorbed
and digested the bitter lesson read TO
them in the results Of the November cleo
tion; and who still may hug the old anti
imperial delusion which is responsible for
the precarious position of Democracy before
the American people today. Filipino and
territorial contraction Democrats. if any
have survived, viii have every encourage
ment and temptation offered to them by
the Republicans to carry on the fight on
such issues as Aguinaldo's independence
and the surrender Of American possessions.
Just that kind Of opposition is what Mr..
Hanna, Mr. Mckinley. and the like are hop
ing and praying for. It would give them
the whole country, and blind its eyes to-
tally TO trust oppression and threatened
national serUtude to the dealers in credit
money
Today the most vulnerable point in the
Republican armor has trust robbery writ
ten all around it. That is the place at
which to thrust the Democratic spear.