New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-01
HOUSE DISCUSSES TRUSTS.
DEMOCRATS OPPOSE A CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT.
TON TO REPRESS OR PREVENT IN
LAWFUL COMBINATIONS
rBT TELEGRAPH TO TEE TRIBUNE. !

TRr TELEGRAPH TIE TRrBrSrl
wash 4ngton. May 3L-The Democratic lead
srz I'm the House OF Representatives to-day
seemed 70 fear the effect Of any legislation to
-epress OF prevent unlawful combinations TO
TX and control prices and prevent free competi-
zion. They held a stormy caucus on Tuesday
night which did not adjourn until midnight, to
decide what attitude they should occupy with
reference 10 the antitrust measures reported
from the Committee on the judiciary, and after
much wrangiing and some threats by Mr.. sulzer
and others to bolt their party, they decided to
oppose the Joint resolution proposing an amend
-7enr 70 the Constitution Of the United States
which would ci0the Congress with power to
regulate the operations of corporations, associa-
tons and partnerships to the same extent that
Il now regulates Interstate commerce; and TO
support with some amendments, or without any
amendments il necessary. the bill to amend the
act Of 1890 commonly known as the Sherman
Antitrust law so as to make it more effective
in its operation The amendments they pro-
posed are in the form Of a substitute. some Of
the provisions OF which clearly obnoxious
70 the Constitution in its present form. as here
tofore interpreted by the Supreme Court of the
U-niued States IN various opinions and decisions
in cases arising under the Interstate Commerce
laws. while some OF them would fall Of their
own weight
THE DEMOCRATIC ATTITUDE
Briefly stated the attitude Of the Democratic
n .norfty as defined and expressed in the caucus
resolutions. therefore, was:
Ftrst-We are opposed 70 trusts and viii de-
rolInce them on every possible occasion.
Second-We are opposed TO a Constitutional
amendment giving 70 Congress power TO repress
and regulate unlawful or unfair trusts
Third-We VII support amendments 70 the
pending bill TO amend the Antitrust law, which
II adopted viii make the act clearly unconsttu-
tlonsl and thus imperative and void
toGr1h-We VIII vote Tor the Din "AlLIou'
amendment II compelled TO do so, in the nope
that il viii not become law and thus deprive
Us OF partisan war cry
This was substantially the same attitude the
Democratic party in Congress occupied ten
wears ago when they soIidly opposed the con-
siderarion Of the Sherman Antitrust law, and
proposed and supported amendments which
would have made IL clearly unconstitutional
and then when compelled 10 face the music,
lacked the courage 70 vote against the measure
To make the parallel complete. the Democrats
to-day voted with virtual unaninity against
the consideration OF both the joiat resolution for
an amendment 70 the Constitution and the bill
70 amend the act Of 1890 To-day, also, the
Democratic leaders passed the same criticisms
On the Judiciary Committees bill that they did
on the Sherman bin ten years ago-it was only
8 pretence; Il not designed 20 cure exist
ing abuses and. even IL II was so designed.
would not accomplish the object aimed at, etc.
They have never ceased 70 denounce and dertde
that legislation as q piece Of political buncombe
although a good many Of them voted for it. and
their objections and criticisms have been con-
troverted and answered by ten years experience
Of the operation Of the law.
UNDER APPROPRIATE LEADERSHIP.
II seemed wholly appropriate and suitable for
Mr. Richardson. Of Tennessee. TO lead the forces
f4ara
ton Of the pending measures. II may be re-
mem bered that he is the same Representative
y no several months ago offered joint resolu-
ton granting a yearly gratuity Of S15OOOOOO
OF more TO the Sugar Trust IN the form OF
a repeal Of the duties all sugars and mo-
Iasses imported from Cuba and Porto Rico OF
course. he vociferousIy denounced all trusts to-
day and complained because the measures had
not been brought forward al earlier date,
which gave Mr. Dalzel an opportunity TO retOrt
that n the four years OF the last Democratic
Administration the country had not witnessed
any attempt by Congress TO deal with trusts or
any effort 10 enforce the Antitrust act Of 1890
Mr.. Dalzeu also called attention 10 the fact that
the great National leader Of the Demo-PopuLst
party advocated a constitutional amendment as
a remedy for the trust evil, and now, when such
an amendment was proposed. his followers we're
found opposing even the consideration Of IL
Mr. Bailey the ex-leader OF the minority, also
opposed consideration in a speech accusing the
majority Of bad faith. General Grosvenor, in
behalf Of the majority. accepted full RESPONSE
FiIi-y for the proposed action, and closed by
saying that the minority had its choice either TO
approve II or so on record against IL
Chairman Ray. OF the judiciary Committee.
opened the debate in favor Of the constitutional
amendment in a speech which evinced careful
preparation and thorough mastery Of the sub
5ect gained by long and patient investigation
and profound study.
A constitutional amendment requires a two
thirds vote 70 adept, or $50 votes with the pres
enr membership Of the House. The Republicans
have only 1856 votes, 50 less than the requisite
two-thirds.
THE DEBATE IN DETAIL
Nj Dalzeu from the Committee on Rules pre-
scented the special order for the consideration Of the
antitrust resolution and bill which he withdrew
yesterday 20 allow the House dispose Of the
same as thar heretofore prepared, except that 1t
provided for a vote the amendment on Friday
and on the bill on Saturday Mr.. Dalzell explained
mat The rule presented for the consideration OF
the Two measures reported BY the Judiciary Com
u-i-ree--he resolution for constitutional amend
rleur empowering Congress 70 enact legislation
dealing with trusts and the bill amendment
Of the Sherman Antitrust Jaw.
DEMOCRATS FIGHT CONSIDERATION
III. Richardson, the minority leader. cr4ticising
the rule, declared thar IT framed bring the
House 10 vote on the resolution without opportunity
10 amend T. II hope hat every Democrat on this
aoor be said turning his Democratic col
leagues. VINO loves law and order VIII stand with
Us II the effort vote down this resolution"
tDenocra-lc applalsel
Gr Grosven0r followed Mr.. Richardson III this
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