Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-10-24
AoalculruRe ANp TRUSTS.


master Of the National Grange, In his re
marks before the .sC0nference on Com
binstlons and Trusts" held In Chicago
sid In part:
Every cltizen Of this republic shoul,
be free to use bis labor ~ will best con
tribute TO his benefit and happiness, not
however, infringing on the rights Of an!
other citizen.
"'rhe right to acquire, own, contro
and enjoy the use and income Of prop
erty, Il an inslienable right that shoult
be enjoyed by each individual. Govern
mt nls are organized and laws are enact
ed TO better protect life, liberty and tht
ownership and use Of property. II Il
the legitimate function OF government!
to protect their citizens In the full and
free enjoyment Of these rights. II 10 fol
this security Of life and the ownership
OF property that people are willing q
pay taxes for the support Of state and
national governments.
"The tendency Of the times Is for con.
ducting large business enterprises and
concentration OF business Into the hands
OF a few. In the early history Of this
country, when individuals desired to do
more extended business than they had
capital to control, partnerships were
formed OF two or more, and business was
conducted by them jointly. These part
uerships gave them no additional powers
or privileges beyond those enjoyed BY
the individual citizen.
"As the demand came for concentra-
ton Of business on stlll greater scale,
the laws provided for the formation OF
corporations TO conduct certain lines OF
business aud the state granted them GER
ticstes OF incorporation with certain de-
fiued privileges and the right TO conduct
business along certain lines, and In the
case Of canals and railroads they were
granted the extraordinary power Of con-
demuing lands found necessary for the
construction OF their roads or canals,
and issuing stock, limiting liability
within certain limits defued by law, aud
granting absolute control OF the minor
ity Of stock by the majority, and many
other advantages and privileges not en-
ioycd by any individual citizen.
These forms OF corporation served
useful purpose, but within the past few
years, through the ambitions Of men to
acquire wealth aud power rapidly, these
corporations have been consolidating,
many separate corporations locsted In
one or several states selling out their
plants TO a corporation organized for the
purpose Of buying up all these separate
plants and conducting them all under
one management, and Il has been found
that the increased power possessed by
these large consolidated corporations or
trusts, as they are commonly known,
has caused them TO pursue policy that
has infringed on the rights OF iudividu-
ala, or has In some Instances operated Ia
restraint OF trade, been detrimental TO
the rights Of labor, destroyed the value
OF other property and deprived other in
dividusls Of ths use Of their capital, and
80 far as this has been done It is clearly
against public policy and subsersive Of
the best Interests Of the republic.
"The purpose OF this conference, a
understand II, is to consider this great
question, 80 vitality sff.cting the property
rights OF the citizens Of the United
States, and make such Recommendation
10 the congress OF the United States and
the several legislatures as will secure
legislation which In no wise will cripple
legitimate enterprise or prevent the de-
yelopment of the resources OF our c0un-
try, and yet secure the passage OF such
laws ~ will restrain the abuses that
have grown mp In corporate management
of the various corporations now doing
business In the United States. This is
one Of the most important questions now
the American people, and IL
must be met, and wisely met, or the re-
public IL drifting on very dangerous
grounds. that sooner or later will sub
vert the liberties OF the people. We be-
iieve every good and loyal citizen should
wisely consider this grave question and
cast his influence To secure such legislA-
tion, stat. and nationAl, as will eliminate
all the evil practices of these so-called
trusts aud combinations.
ut occurs TO me that the first step TO
be taken In remedial legislation IL TO
pass well considered antitrust law by
the congress of the United States, clear
" defining what practices on the part OF
any corporation would be Injurious to
pubic policy, aud cripple or injure indi-
vidual enterprise, thrift and the acquire
m.nt and use Of the property OF any citi-
zen Of the republic, and TO supplement
this law by equally well considered anti
trust laws by each OF the several state
le legislatures TO reach and apply to such
phases OF the matter as could not be
reached by the act OF congress OF the
United States. These laws should have
such provisions for their enforcement
and provide penalties for violation by
fines or imprisonment or both ss will In
sure the compliance and observance OF
the laws by all trusts aud combina-
tions. Mirror and Farmer.