The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-16

The facility with which charters may be
ontnincd and valuable franchises secured
has encouraged The formation OF corpora
lions for The transaction OF every cnarac-
Ter of business. ana we have reached the
point at which the individual feels he
can no longer compete with his in.orpo-
rated rival, and where members of old
time partnerships are no longer willing
10 pledge Their personal credit in compe-
titton with members of Incorporated COM
pailies, whose liabilities being limited DO
not hesitate to assume risks in business
adventures from which prudent business
men. unprotected by corporate exemptions
Unhes::atingiy shrink.
The inequality in the advantages enjoyed
by corporations and individuals has
aroused feelings of Impotence and d.
content and those feelings have culnli-
mated in the demand for corporate regu-
!ations, which. in some instances arc as
unreasonable as they.are needlesSiy COM
prehenSirc. Those interested n corporate
property md corporate business, of course,
resist such demands. and out OF the de-
mands on one side. and RESISTANCE on the
other, the great question of trusts. and
what is to oe done with and about
trusts. has developed into an issue OF
I1nscendant national importance Inc
difficulty of deciding to the character
Of restraints that may be safely and pru-
IDENTIFY imposed is rendered all the greater
by the difficulty of determining the
tent OF congressional authority. and of
locating the boundary line that separates
the inherent jurisdiction of the States
from the delegated authority Of the gene
raj government.
RADICAL REFORMS DANGEROUS.
1t is to be regretted that the cons.dera-
lion of this far-reaching question is APP
preached with passion and prejudice oy
many of those who complain of existing
conditions. nnd with cold-blooded and al
most brutal Indifference by MANY Of those
who enjoy the advantages and reap the
benefits Of corporate organization. How
far combinations Of capital diminish the
cost OF production and transportation: to
what extent, md in what direction, they
AFFECT the wages or diminish or increase
the demands for labor; whether their
benefits to the farmer and planter are
equal To the injuries they in4iict, are eco
nomic questions that ought to be hon
-cstly, dispasstonately and patiently inves-
iigated. They cannot be intelliSentiy dis
cussed, or fairly or justly solved. until
their true relations shall :,e understood.
Radical reforms, attempted To be intro
duced while ignorance and passion are
in the ascendency will breed other MS
chiefs and probably relieve none Of the
evils of the situation
JUSTICE AND FAIR PLAY
AS we advance IN civilization new and
difficult social problems arise As we i'm
prove material conveniences and change
The methods of production and transport
iation, new and difficult economic PROB
lens present themselves. Steam and
electricity have converted the old into q.
new world. In what mnnner and TO what
extent the methods and customs, the
business theories and practices OF the old
en- times are TO he modified or changed
10 meet the eXigencies Of the present we
are not yet READY to determine, but faith
tn the sense OF justice and fair play, and
confidence in the judgment of the con-
servative majority. which in the end al
ways asserts itself. encourage the hope
and inspire the belief that we shall not
fail ultimately ia reach wise conclusions
and TO shape and keep the new conditions
IN harmony with the principles of patriot
ISM justice and common sense.
Since The adoption OF the Federal Con
stitution each geneIntion has had TO meet
and deal with issues which. in the opinion
OF the fa!nt-hearted. threatened not only
the perpetuity of the Federal Union, but