The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-09-22

- lANNAl.l1AAlAlA
the federal government. II can enforce
the laws which now exist; it can pro
poee snd enact new laws, but il does
neither. No persons can watch the con
duct Of the Republican party and read
the speeches Of Republican leaders aud
still believe the Republican party sin.
Uere in its declarations against the trusts.
The Republican platform on this
question aud the presidents letter Of
acceptance, taken in connection with
the party's record, proves conclusively
that no relief can be hoped for from that
party. Instead OF pointing out the evils
Of trusts the Republican leaders spend
their time in exulting over present con-
ditions. The trust is a part Of present
conditions. Three sessions Of congress
have convened and adjourned since the
presidents Inauguration, and vet he has
never recommended specific measure
looking toward the overthrow OF monop-
olies.
There is already overproduction in
many lines. The supply OF common
chairs is now considerable in excess OF
the demand, but lest the Republicans
may try 10 explain this upon the theory
that the people are too busy 10 sit down,
| may adj that there is also dullness
in the shoe trade. The Irjn Age in a
recent issue pointed out that the pro.
duction OF iron was falling off, the de.
crease then amounting to more than
$1,000 tons per month. Dun's report of
July 81 stated that the wooden mills
were running at less than half their
capacity, and even recently the cotton
manufacturers have been threatening 20
either reduce wages or shut down tenn
porarily.
Remedy for Trusts.
1.-THE Republican Party has no remedy
for the trusts. Publicity is good, but
publicity alone is not sufficient. The
practices OF the trusts must not only be
made known, they must be prevented
The Democratic platform contains a
demand for legislation which will place
the trust-made articles on the free list
There is no doubt that such law would
protect the people from much Of the
extortion which is practicted under
cover Of high tariff laws. II a tariff
duty excludes the foreign trade, while
domestic manufacturers combine 10 raise
the price OF home product, the American
citizen may be plundered here, while
the trust sells abroad in competition
with the world.
Congressional action is not necessary
to destroy a trust which confines its
operations to single city, or a single
state. Such trust can be exterminated
by state legislation. II is within the |
power OF the State 10 prescribe the con.
ditions upon which corporations shall be |
organized. and these conditions should |
be such as 20 make private monopoly |
place limitations upon outside cor
porations doing business within the |
state. This, however, is not sufficient.
Congress must cooperate with the State
in preventing the organization OF any
inter State monopoly. Without impair
ing the present authority OF the State,
Congress can provide that corporations |
organized in any State shall not do
business outside the State until certain /
necessary conditions are complied with.
II the people Of any State are willing TO |
create and continue a monopoly, the |
people of other States need feel no con. |
ceTn, so long as the monopoly is confined
10 the State in which the corporation |
originates. But the nome ia monopoly |
crosses the State line and invades other |
States, Congress has a right to, and |
must, interfere for the protection OF the |
public at large. II a corporation or.
ganized in New Jersey or any other
State were prohibited from engaging in
Interstate commerce until il produced
evidence TO show that there was no water
in its stock, and that it had not attempt
ed, and was not attempting, 20
monopolize any branch OF industry, its
power 10 do harm would at once be de-
stroyed. Those who desire the an
initiation OF the trusts are not hostile to
property rights, but they protest against
allowing the fictitious person, created by
law and called corporation, 10 trample
upon the rights OF the national man OF
flesh and blood. II the man. made
corporation supports the Republican
Party, we ought 10 be able 10 appeal for
support to the God-made man.
mo matter how tempting the present
advantage no matter how alluring the |
immediate prospect, every citizen will |
find IL TO his permanent advantage 10 |
aid in the overthrow OF the monopolistic |
principle, and in the re.establishment of |
the industrial system upon basis OF |
justice. Give the boy chance, and let |
success be the the reward OF merit"