The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-01
SHARP DEBATE ON TRUSTS
The House Takes Up the Resolution
to Amend the Constitution.
Democrats Charge Republicans With
Insinccrity and Partisan TricIScry
Bitter Controversy Between
Messrs SuIzcr and Rny - Stnfc
Politics Discussed by Members.

Politics Discussed by Members.
The House yesterday and last night was
occupied in the consideration of the joint
resolution introduced by Mr.. Jenkins, on
January &C. and reported from the Com
mittee oil the Judiciary by Mr.. Ray OF
New York on May Is. proposing to the
Legislatures of the several States an anti
trust amendment to the Constitution. The
day session was smooth and orderly. but
the night session was otherwise. Fierce
partisan encounters occurred, which in
volved Messrs. Sulzer, Gaines, Kitchin
and briggs, and Messrs. Ray, O,msted
and Mahon. Mr.. Capron. the Speaker pre-
tempore. put forth great physical effort
in pounding with his gavel and demanding
order, but several of the members wert
xiotous and recalcitrant.
This joint resolution, which engaged the
House, provides that there be submitted
to the Legislatures of the several States
for ratification proposed amendment to
the Constitution of the United States,
which, II adopted by the Legislatures OF
three-fourths of the States. will become q
part cf such Constitution, and will read as
follows:
Section l. All powers conferred by this article
shall extend to the several States. the Territories,
the District of Columbia. and all territory under
the sovereignty and subject 10 the jurisdiction OF
the United States.
ulate prohibit or dissolve trusts. monopoiies, or
combinations whether existing in the form oi
corporation or otherwise
nj AL -al ma
such power in any manner not in conflict with
the laws of the United States.
Sec g. Congress shall have power to enforce the
provisions of this article by approp.sste lesisia-
tion.
The theory of the members reporting
the resolution is that it is "the plain and
imperative duty of Congress to submit
to the several State Legislatures" this
proposed amendment, which will enable
the legislative branch of the General Gov
ernment to enact efficient laws controlling
and if need be repressfng, illegal trusts
combinations, conspiracies. and monopoliea
in whatever form existing, whenever en-
gagged in any unlawful business and formed
for any improper purpose directly con-
cerning or affecting manufacture or pro-
duction, or when engaged in the manu-
facture. production. or sale OF articles o.
commerce of general use and consumption
~--'
people of this nation
The Democratic Position.
The Democratic position with regard to
the pending resolution is that however
desirable it may be to increase the pow
er of Congress over the growing and most
burdensome evil popularity known as the
trust" they do not concede that Con
gress now is as impotent in the presence
of the trust as the committee would have
the public believe; and whatever the pow
er or the lack of power of Congress may
be, the constitutional amendment recon-
mended by the committee is but feeble
response to what the whole committee re
CARDS as loud and imperative call.
When the House convened at noon ant
the morning routine business had been dis
posed of, Mr.. Dalzell, from the Comrnitte
on Rules, presented the report making IN
Joint resolution proposing an anti-trus
amendment to the Constitution the specia
order in the House directly after the adop
ton Of the report; that debate should con
tinue all day, at a night session, and to
day. the vote on the final passage TO b
taken at p. IN. today; after the dis
position of the resolution, the bill L
amend an act entitled IAN act to protec
trade and commerce against unlawfu
restraints and monopolies," approved Jul.
2. 1890. to be taken up and vcted on at
D. m tomorrow.
Mr. Dalzell took the floor to explain ant
support the rule. and was followed by Mr.
Richardson in opposition.
Mr. Richardson called attention to th
length of time which the Republican part.
had been in possession Of the executive
and legislative branches of the Govern
ment. He reviewed in brief the Legislative
history of the present Administration, ant
said that now, in the dying hours OF tht
session, they sought to recoup some of The
political advantages relinQuished by then
in their unwise and selfish Administration
lie said the proposed constitutional
amendment would break down the power
of the States TO deal with trusts within
their limits.
For that reason M Richardson said he
had solemnly determined to oppose the
bending resolution, and he hoped that
every Democrat who loved the Constitu-
ton would help to vote down the resolu-
ton presented by the majority OF the Ju-
dietary Committee. Strong Democratic
applause rewarded this appeal OF Mr
Richardson.
Mr.. Grosvenor followed Mr.. Richardson.
He said that he felt that the necessity TOT
the constitutional amendment proposed
was pressing The majority OF the House
was responsible for all that was contained
IN the resolution, and the minority couio
take its choice OF voting for it or against
1t.
Mr.. Bailey Of Texas next addressed the
House. He said that by common consent
Mr., Grosvenor was considered one OF the
most skillful partisan debaters on tnt
floor, and when he failed to set forth any
valid reason why the resolution should DC
adopted, he (Mr. Bailey took 1t for grant
ed that valid reason did not exist.
When the question on the adopuon 0,
the rule was put, the Speaker declares
that the ayes had it, but Mr.. Richardson