Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-02
ANTI = TRUST AMENDMENT
PROPOSED ADDITION TO THE con-
STITUTION DEFEATED.
Features of the Close of the Debate
on the Issue in the House
of Representatives.

The resolution proposing an amendment
10 the Constitution as to place the regu-
lation of trusts in the powers of the federal
authorities was defeated in the House yes
terday for lack of a two-third affirmative
vote. Four demccrats-Messrs. Campbell of
Montana, Naphen of Massachusetts, Scud-
der of New York and Thayer of Massachu-
setts-and one silyerite-Mr. Newlands of
Nevada-and Mr.. Sibley of Pennsylvania
voted with the republicans for the resolu-
tion. and two republicans-Mr Loud of Cal
ifornia and Mr.. Mccall of Massachusetts,
with the democrats against it. These were
the only breaks from party lines. The pop
ulists voted solidly against the resolution.
The debate preceding the vote had a strong
political flavor throughout. The closing
speeches of Mr.. DeArmond of Missouri and
Mr.. l.ittleiield of Maine, for the respective
sides. and the short speech of Mr.. Mccall
of Massachusetts against the resolution.
were features of the debate after The Stars
report closed.
The great speech of the whole debate was
that of Mr.. Littlefield. who was given by
his party the distinction of closing the de-
bate. Ii was great battle between Little
field and DeArmond. who have personally
become great chums and whose tastes
and sentiments are much in harmony.
Mr.. DeArmond's Speech.
In closing for the minority. Mr.. De Ar
mond said he did not chide the republic
cans for trying a last desperate chance
to get something out of this constitutional
amendment.
IF You get anything out of it," he said.
'it will be because the American people
are far more stupid than 1 think they are
and because delusion is much more attrac-
tive To them than plain conduct and honest
acts.
'-Can there be anything in the PROPOSE
ton that because you label this antitrust,
We shall not look beyond the label? You
have labeled many things other tnan what
they are. There is not a package of your
political nostrums that will bear inspec
ton 1t may be taken by label, but 1t
cannot be by sample, much less by test
of reasonable quantities. The power of the
people to meet and overcome trusts would
be less if this amendment was in the Con-
stitution than 1t is today. / am willing to
amend the Constitution, but 1 am not will
ing to amend II SO as to take from forty
five states the power that they now pos
sess to create and control corporations.
You propose to take control of these corpo-
ratiOns. You propose to say which one of
them you will denounce and destroy it II
You destroy any of them, which ones you
will shelter and protect. l am opposed to
that kind of legislation.
Trusts have grown within the last three
years as they never have grown before.
They are mightier. they have invaded new
fields. conquered new provinces, made new
slaves. and mightier today than ever
before. And yet you say to the people
wait until We get a constitutional amend
ment. and such a constitutional amend
1nenr, Wait until you can get our parti-
san measure. wait until you can get some
thing stamped republican,, wait untiI the
republican party controls three-quarters
of the states of the American nation, until
the republican party gets what it has not
now under its present leaders, Cloud
democratic applause)
In conclusion Mr.. DeArmond appealed to
his democratic colleagues not to vote for
the resolution. The democrats gave him an
ovation when he finished. "A surprise was
in store for the republicans when a few
minutes Were yielded to Mr. Mccall tMaSs.)
who said he would vote for the Littefeld
bill. but would vote against the resolution.
1.-THE resolution. said he, brings the
promise 10 the ear. but breaks it To the
hope. Proceeding. Mr.. Mccall declared
that the amendment more far-reach-
IT might be used TO place all individual
combinations under the ban. 1t would
strike a deadly blow at individual liberty.
and might be used TO destroy labor organ
izdti6ns. No amendment was necessary
until every weapon in the constitutional ar
mory had been exhausted. prolonged DEM
ocratic applause.)
Mr. Cummings IN. W said that under the
guise of effort TO destroy trusts this
measure WAS really a measure drawn in
their interests. IL is to be used to tide over
presidential election. ] know he said.
lit is alleged that w. J. Bryan advocated a
constitutional amendment to down trusts
but this more resembles the amendment
advocated by him than deck of cards re-
sembles the Bible"
Mr. Littlefield's Drowning Effort.
Mr.. Lit,lefeld made probably a greater
hit In his closing of this debate than in his
former speeches. which have attracted wide
attention to him.
= indiscriminate denunciation of combina-
tons OF capital. he declared, was unwise.
Many combinations conserved the interests
Of the public. Great railroads and other
great public conveniences and necessities
would be impossible We're 1t not for great
axgregations of capital.
Mr.. Iittlefield criticised the amendments
TO his bill proposed by the democrats He
spoke Of the proposed section which re-
ferred TO the transportation OF goods to
state. territory. foreign country or
place" the latter being some territory
which apparently could not be Otherwise
defined Because there was possibility
that the Supreme Court might disagree
with him regarding the extension of the
Constitution over the Philippines and