New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-21
TRUSTS AND SOUTHERN OPINION.


Among the politicians who count on directing
the Democratic party's projected crusade
against trusts. certain differences of method
and opinion seem to be already taking definite
outline. such disagreements indeed. were bound
10 intrude themselves sooner or later III Demo
cratic councils. Subject as it IS. 10 two distinct
and opposite Influences Southern hdehty 10
strict construction traditions on the one hand
and on the other the new and radical pa'erhal-
ism of Western politicians like Bryan and Ait
ccld-D Democratic leadership could not IAN 10
show. in facing so vast and serious problem,
the uncertainty which its dual point OF We"
involves Some indication Of this cleavage in
party opinion may be found In the different At
titudes assumed by Democratic statesmen in
the two current antitrust conferences the one
inst ended at Chicago and the one Just begin
ming at ST. Louis. At Chicago where ME-
Rryan and Western influences were supreme.
the drift was all toward an assertion Of Federal
sovereignty and authority 10 curb or crush the
trusts and the Nebraska leader himself pun
forward a legislative remedy Of such douhttul
constitutiOnaty that he confessed SlN'eehlh
amendment might he necessary before II could
be carried practically or legally into effect. At
ST Louis on the contrary. where southern
views are TO predominate, a cure for the evils
Of the present system is sought not in an APP
peal 10 centralized authority at Washington
but in concerted legislative action within the
several States.
Governor Sayers Of Texas. the originator OF
the St Louis conference and a stanch exponent
of Southern theories in legislation and politics,
mt the case for sectional sentiment the other
dav when he said that there was at least
decided diversity Of opinion whether the Ma
"tional Government or the State governments
should take up the task Of fighting trusts
But realizing that a single State could do little
or nothing If il fights alone Governor Sayers
declared the object Of the St Louis gathering
n he 10 encourage as many States as possible
10 conduct their fights according TO some gen
eral plan" Governor Saycrs Is apparently too
good a Texan. and has listened too often 10
the Hon Joe" Baileys expostions Of constitu-
tional theory and practice. TO lend his approval
IN any scheme Of Federal licenses such rs Mr..
BRYAN has developed. through whose operations
the cherished State autonomy of the older
Southern leaders IS 10 be stricken in its very
vitals
This Southern insistence on the right Of state
to control the conduct of commerce and industry
WltulQ Us own DOlttl> idIH'i It irH'iii'
indeed. in any attempt on the part of Colonel
Bryan or other Western leaders TO commit the
Democratic party to solution of the trust prob
lem through paternalistic Federal legislation.
Discussing Mr.. Bryan's Chicago speeches. THE
Charleston News and Courier said recently
that the demand that the state as SUCH should
retain control Of its own commercial affairs
would find a hearty Endorsement in the South.
at least 1t Is germane TO 4 contention our
Charleston contemporary added, (which this sec
"tion Of the country has long made, and in adj
"vocacy Of which some years ago it spoke In
"way that has not yet been forgotten, and
(which cannot he misunderstood Clearly, the
South Is yet TO have its say In any readjust-
ment Of Democratic principles which seeks 10
upset that tradition of State sovereignty to
which It is pledged both by political Inheritance
and personal conviction