The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-08
The Trust Congress.

The Trust Congress.
With the adjournment of the first ses-
sion of the Fifty-sixth Congress the coun-
try sees the curtain fall upon gathering
of statesmen and alleged statesmen, the
majority of whom in each branch of the
National Legislature have laboriously
earned and deserve the reprobation and
contempt of the American people. That
these things will be cheerfully accorded
to them should not admit of the smallest
question. From the beginning to the
closing minute of the session its delibera-
lions and its legislation have been COM
pletely dominated by the executive branch
OF the Government, which is and always
has been under the control of the trusts,
monopolies, and corrupt combinations as
ISOLATED with it, aided by the influence OF
Senators and Representatives who owe
their seats to trusts and, largely. their
worldly possessions to opportunities for
financial benevolent assimilation fur
nished them by their patrons and masters.
When the Fifty-sixth Congress began its
work last December 1t had before it a
greater task than any preceding Congress
had been called upon to undertake since
reconstruction days. In the first place,
its majority was compelled to redeem the
pledges of the party to the London and
Wall Street interest, in 1896, and to
knock bimetallism on the head for as long
a period as possible. That particular deal
II carried out successfully in passing a
measure which fixed the currency of the
country upon a single bankers credit
standard for the next five years.
Next, it was expected to prov de for the
public necessities created by national
expansion; incidentally to reorganize the
Regular Army; and especially 10 provide
for the government of the new possessions
the Philippines, Guam, Tutuila, Hawaii,
and Porto Extraordinarily to the Con-
s,ftution of the United States; and to take
forward steps in relation to our military
occupancy OF Cuba. with view to its ter
mination ana to conditions antecedent and
subsequent thereto. 1t refused to reor-
ganize the Army 1t Joined with the Ex-
ecutive in imposing an imperial. corrupt.
Rico and the Philippines, and. in the irter-
est and on the demand of the trusts and
combinations organized to exploit and loot
our newly acquired territory, with pre-
meditation and defiance of fundamental law
and Our plain duty" violated the Con-
the domestic trade between integral parts
Of the United States. AS to Cuba, nothing
was done, except that members of both
houses, representatives Of the Admins
tration, INDUCED on occasion in eulogies
of the thieving carpetbag officials who
have disgraced their country in that ISL
and.
The Administration used its patronage
and influence, and the trust agents who are
not few among present Senators and Rep
resentatives. to pass the infamous Porto
Rican Government and Tariff law, that
the monopolies interested in commerce
with Porto Rico, and in its franchises and
concessions, might be enriched and thus
be willing TO contribute lavishly to the
campaign fund of 1900 1t re-
sorted TO every means to force the passage
of the Hanna Ship Subsidy bill, which II
enacted into law would have empowered
less than dozen trust magnates to APP
the sum of ninety million dol |
lars. In this effort il failed. but expects |
success next winter. On the back of these |
and offensive transactions |
with the trusts both the Administration and |
The Republican maiorities in Congress
have the brazen imDudence TO pretend that |
hey are inimical TO the trusts.
The American people everywhere in
sisted that at the first session of the Fifty- |
sixth Congress, their Senators and Repre-
should pass bill providing for
an exclusively American inter oceanic 4
canal across Central America, and for its
iortihcation and defence. Anticipating an
Effort in Congress to meet this popular
demand, the Administration negotiated a
reaty with Great Britain which was de-
signed TO render an American canal for
ever impossible; TO place any which might
be built in the control of England and the
concert Of Europe; and, further, TO sur
'ender the Monroe Doctrine In order to
prevent all canal legislation prior to the
Presidential election. and thus TO secure
he campaign contributions of the trans
continental railway and Panama syndicate
opposed TO it, the whole force of
he Administration and the Republican
eaders has been used, and used to defea.
he Nicaragua Canal bill and to secure
atification in the Senate of its antithesis |
he Hay Pauncefo.e Treaty. Tho House
,assed the Hepburn Nicaragua Canal
measure. and. II the twenty-six Demu-
rats Of the Senate had been united, wise.
droit, and determined. 1t might also have |
zen passed in that body. Then Mr. Nc
iiniey would have been compelled to sign
II veto it. He would not have dared to do
he latter The Hay Pauncefote Treaty.
With its anti Amerlcan perfdy sticking out
& it at all angles, was not ratified, but.
Ike the ship subsidy steal, its friends
ave hopes in the next session.
A pretence of antitrust legislation has
cen made in the laughable proposed {
mendment to the Constitution. offered In {
be House. and IN the Littlcfeld Anti {