The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-07-18

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doing this was d~iscouraging, but the
duty of the press was plain when 1t
came to a fight between the people and
the trusts. The press must and will
take the side of the people All ac-
knowledge that a remedy against
trusts cannot be conceived, but we
must not be discouraged in our efforts.
He then paid a high tribute to the
first, the first in freedoms cause and
the bulwark of u English race.
The question was opened for discus
sion.
Editor J. D. Barrier, of The Concord
Standard, asked for Information, how
the press was to ditinguish between
the corporations and the trusts. What
they must fight and what to uphold.
Mr.. Londo confessed that all the
concentrated wisdom could not lay
down a rule for discrimination, but
each must follow his judgment.
Editor w. F. Marshall defined as a
corporation or trust hat must be
fought, one that is formed with the
power or combines with others to crush
out competition.
Editor H. S. Blair also spoke of the
nature of trusts and the great neces-
sity to fight them.
Editor j. B. Whitaker, Jr., also de-
nounced trusts and urged that the con-
vention should do something to put its
self ON record against trusts. On his
motion Editor Londo was requested
to prepare a suitable resolution so that
it may appear in the minutes and put
the association on record as condemn
ing them. The motion was seconded.
Editor w. S. Pearson, of The Nor
canton Herald, at some length, dis
cussed the question Of trusts. He de-
clared that to fight the trusts involved
politics. In his opinion, the high pro-
tective tariff was the cause of trusts,
--l Il L. y DrsH ~ - y
trusts must be fought. He confessed
that with all the opposition to trusts,
there was no human or legal effort by
which the trusts could be reached He
believed that something could be dom
to scotch, if not kill, the monster. He
favored some definite resolution
rains trusts and suggested a line
along which the press could unite-a
resolution suggesting the n
method by which trusts al be fought.
He went on to say that England was
the mother Of trusts, but that there
was a difference between English and
American trusts.
The motion of Mr.. Whitaker was
adopted, and Editor London prepared
and submitted the following resolu-
ton:
Resolved, That the North Carolina
Press Association hereby expresses its
opposition to and condemnation of
trusts anu jill CO1IlDl1ldllOIlS CdlCuldleu
to Stife competition in any lines Of
business, which so seriously threaten
the prosperity and ever the liberty Of
the people,, and We, as individual edi-
tors, pledge ourselves n our papers
to do our uttermost in checking n
s~upplanting them"
, Major E. J. Hale, editor of The Fay
! etteville Observer, speaking to the res
o%lution, said that opposition to the
trusts inevitably runs into politics.
Some though the tariff question n
others that the money question, the
gold standard, vas responsible for
trusts. Tor his part his ideas were
we'll defined on the subject, and he in
timated that the money question was
the root of the evil. evidenced by the
| enormous growth of trusts the past
four years. He stated that the reason
trusts are controlled in England Is
that while that country is nominally
! a monarchy, it is really a democracy,
while our country is nominally de-
mocracy the continual Capitalization of
federal power since the civil war made
it the reverse. The only way to crush
| the trust is to have a democratic form
of government.
Editor H. S. Blair favored the reso-
luton of Mr.. London, but he thought
all reference to what was responsible
for or what method should be employed
III ISIltlllS lIuSlS SllOulu NC ClIllllIldlCu
| from the resolutions, because hat
| would give political color to them. He
| thought both the democratic and re-
| publacn press could unite in fighting
trusts, but each could assign the cause
of trusts and suggest the remedies
from their own standpoint. AS a demo-
crat he may think the tariff is reSpon-
sible for trusts, but a republican may
be equally opposed to trusts and at
tribute the responsibility to some other
cause. His point was heartily ap-
plauded.
Mr.. London's resolution as above was
then unanimously adopted.
President Dowd called attention to
the effect of trusts as specially involv-
ing the newspaper business. He cited
the advance in paper from Il to &c per
pound, and an advance of 80 per cent.
on envelopes o naccOunt of the paper
trust. He also mentioned the type
trust, the ink trust, etc. He urged the
members of the association not to
purchase supplies from a trust if equal
ly as good an article could be had from
manufacturers not in a trust.
Editor j. A. Thomas, of the Louis
burg Times, asked If there were paper
manufacturers not in the trust. and
was informed in the affirmative.
Editor G. l.. Abernethy, Of The Beau
fort Herald, offered the following reso-
ihllOu, IN was oOOptCo
mously:
BE it Resolved, That the members
Of the North Carolina Press Associa-
ton do not deal with nor purchase
from any trust OF combines who deal
in paper or printers supplies, if posi-
BILE to purchase the same from any
concerns who are not in a trust or COM
bine and who will sell material as
cheaply and of as good quality"
ARE NEWSPAPERS PROFITABLE.
The president announced that the
next number on the programme was
an essay on the question, us the News
paper Business Profitable in North
Carolina, and if Not, Why Not?" MI.
w. F. Marshall was assigned to pre-
sent the matter and he did SO in a cap
ital speech, full of practical observa-
lions and interspersed with bright sal
lies. He laid down the proposition that
If a newspaper does not pay a dividend
on the investment, owe and above
paying the editor his salary or giving
him employment, is not profitable. He
held that the job printing business
should be entirely divorced from the