The labor world., 1899-04-01

SlIl\1uSS5 ldW-luithtiS OI DlitCh1lullllS
policemen. It is a demonstrated fact
that corporations and trusts are the
natural prey to the thieving and black
mailing politician, and that, on the
other hand, these corporate creatures,
of the law are prone to use the power
Of wealth to secure undue advantages.
Besides, the trusts often exercises a
most tyrannical power over the in
dividual, especially in driving him out
of business.
In word, the tendency of these
great accumulations of capital is to-
ward the danger which de Tocqueville
pointed out. The annihilation of the
feudal system and the vanquishment
of kings were due 10 the revolt of the
individual, and all the blessings of
democracy are due to the dominance
of the free citizen in the state, in So
ciety, and in trade and business. The
organization of capital was wise and
inevitable. It was necessity of mod
erm development, and has often been
called the leading characteristic of the
nineteenth century. In many respects
it has been the most benefcent of our
material characteristics, for it has Ger.
tainly given to all, to the humblest
and poorest as well as to the powerful
and rich, the industrial advantages of
the age far in advance of the time
when the world would naturally have
enjoyed them if it had been obliged to
wait on the efforts OF single individ-
uals. Combination has worked mar
vels, but it is in danger of going be-
yond bounds and inviting revolt. It
seems as if all modern life, except the
law, had changed itself to harmonize
with the new power; but if the law
does not assume the responsibilities
which are thrust upon it by new con-
ditions, there is nothing so likely to
promote the ultimate triumph of So
cialism as the huge trusts, which are
commanding every avenue of trade
including the labor, .rust, which denies
to the individual the right to earn his
living eXceptaas a member of a union
and in obedience to it's. laws. It is
evident that we cannot depend upon
the trusts themselves to be continent.
They follow: the law of their nature
sruthlessly, and unless they are checked
by law before the community turns
and demands its own, we snail have a
hard experience; for it will not, prob
ably, be the individual who will in,
sist effectively on his rights against
the oppression Of trusts. The com
munity is likely to demand that all
shall share alike in the benefits of
capital, before the individual can
learn that the tyranny of the COM
munity will be more oppressive even
than the tyranny Of the trusts them
selves. q - h.
What we need more than laws which
restrict and prevent the formation of
trusts are laws and courts that will
hold them to a high standard of honor,
that will prevent misuse of their pow
er, and that will especially prevent
their oppression OF individual com
petitors. There is no valid argument
against trusts if they stick to their
proper work, do that work honestly,
treat the Individual justly, and keep
corrupting hands off of politics.. It,
seems to us time to say these things
while so many trusts are forming.
The individual who overthrew kings
and the feudal system will not remain
forever under the yoke of any power.
It then behooves the state to change
its laws to meet the new social and
economic conditions, to the end that
capital shall be restrained
by the government instead of con-
its legal organizer. The
most serious threat at present Of So
cialism lies in the possible and some
times actual tyranny of trusts. As
de Tocqueville said also: ''The
Christian nations Of our age seem to
me to present most alarming spec
tacle. The impulse which is bearing
them along is so strong that it cannot
be stopped; but it is not yet so rapid
that it cannot be guided. Their fate
is in their hands. Yet a little while
and it may be so no longer
Card Wool Trust.
BOSTON, March 31.-An effort is maxi
ing to bring about a mill combination to
control products Of card wool. Consid- |
cradle doubt is expressed amng wool Iuen
Of its success, although it is reported
that Il plants, aggregating s1,00o,000 cap
ital, have been secured on options.
Hanged for Murder.
HOUSTON, Tex, March 1.-Elisha
Swan, a 1Y-year-old negro, was hanged
al Bastrop today for the murder of his |
father in June last because the latter
refused permission to use a horse and |