The aegis & intelligencer., 1899-12-15
THE LAZY ON TRUSTS.

THE LAZY ON Tx hUS1S.
One of the paramount issues of the
coming National Campaign will be
tie question of trusts. There is no
question of doubt but that the Demo
cratic party will incorporate it as one
of its leading planks in the platform
and judging from the tenor of Presi-
dent McKinley's message an effort will
also be made to have it In the Repub-
lican's declaration.
AS this is today, the all absorbing
question, doubtless the battle will be
largely fought, ON these lines of course
in conjunction with the other issues
of the campaign.
In order to discuss the matter in an
intelligent manner we have seen fit to
inquire into the law against trusts
and see if there is nc It sufficient legisla-
tion against these organizations. If
we are to be guided by the opinion of
Attorney General Griggs there does
not seem to be any statute on our
books which would seem to reach the
case as he has frankly stated that the
Sherman law is ineffective.
With all due respect to our learned
Attorney General there is law which
if enforced would in large measure
break up these combinations. The
law which we give below is certainly
as plain and certain as the law
against counterfeiting, moonshining
or any other heinous crime, where
the trouble lies in the fact that this
gentleman from New Jersey, the hot
house where all kinds of trusts are
propagated, and fostered. seems to
lack the vigorous sympathy which it
is necessary for the states officers to
possess before any law can be en-
forced. We do not charge that he
wilfully allows this law to be violated
but we do say that he has not shown
the proper zeal to prevent the organ
ization of trusts. While it is not
alleged that he is in collusion with
these vast aggregations of money yet
it does seem apparent that he has by
his action or rather inaction allowed
the money grabbers to go along
merrily their happy way absorbing
and cornering every necessity of life
until now q mere handful of men con-
troll the whole country. We append
below a copy of the Sherman law and
ask its careful perusal by our readers
as we will take occasion to say much
on this subject hereafter.
The law reads as follows:
An Act to protect trade and COM
mercs against unlawful restraints and
monopolies. Be it enacted by the
Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in
Congress assembled.
Sec, 1. Every contract, combination
in the form OF Trust or otherwise, or
conspiracy in restraint of trade or
commerce among the several States,
or with foreign nations, is hereby de-
claired to be illegal. Every person
who shall make any such contract or
engage in any such combination or
conspiracy, shall be deemed guilty of
a misdemeanor, and, on conviction
thereof, shall be punished by fine not
exceeding five thousand dollars, or by
impris onment not exceeding one year,
or by both said prnishments, in the
discl elton Of the court.
Sec. 2. Every person who shall mo-
nopolize or combine, or conspire with
any other person or persons to mono
poliz5 part of the trade or commerce
among the several other States, or
with foreign nations, shall be deemed |
guilty of misdemeanor, and, on con-
viction thereof, shall be punished by |
fine not exceeding five thousand
dollars, or by imprisonment not ex-
ceeding one year, or by both said
punishments in the discretion OF the
court.
Sec. 3. Every contract, combination |
in form of Trust or otherwise, or con-
spiracy in restraint of trade or com
merce in any Territory of the United |
States or of the District of Columbia.
or in restraint of trade or commerce |
between any such Territory and |
another, or between any such Terri |
tory or Territories and any State or
States or the District of Columbia, or
with foroiup potiopu or hatraon tbo
District of Columbia and any State or
States or foreign nations, is hereby |
declared illegal. Every person who
shall make any such contract or en-
gage in any such combination or con-
spiracy, shall be deemed guilty of
nisdemeanor, and, on conviction |
thereof, shall be punished by fine not |
exceeding five thousand dollars, or by |
imprisonment not exceeding one year,
or by both said puaisaments, in the
discretion of the court.
Sec. 4. The Several Circuit Courts
OF the United States are hereby in
vested with jurisdiction TO prevent
and restrain violations of this act; and
it shall be the duty OF the several dis
trict attorneys of the United States, in
their respective districts, under the
direction of the Attorney General, to
institute proceedings in equity to pre-
vent and restrain such violations.
Such proceedings may be by way OF
petition setting forth the case and