Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-03-16
THE TRUST QUESTION.
1t Should Not Become a Party Issue.

Federal Control the Best Method OF
Meeting the QuestIOn---Large Corr
pOrNtiOns Cannot BE EradIca ed.
The fifth paper in the series before the
Brattleboro Professional club was read
tuesday evening in the Brooks House by
Rev Edward Ellery, Phi. D., principal of
Vermont Academy at Saxtons River, upon
the subject: "The Trust as a Political
ISSUE" Sound logic and common sense
characterized the paper throughout. Some
OF the principal points covered by il are
given herewith.
The political issue must be defined from
larger point of view than from that of a
politician seeking the selfish ends of party
success. 1t must be defined from the
point of view of citizen who has the well
fare of the country at heart. The
trust is natural product of an in
dustrial evolution. Organization for
protection is principle recognized by
human beings of all ages. The managers
of the great consultations of capital are
taking advantage simply of the oppor-
tunities offered them in this country, and
are also acting upon the principle that "In
union there is strength" The trust is
also product of the political conditions,
by which is meant that condition of things
which allows in legislative bodies men who
are influenced by these corporations, even
at the expense of wise legislation. The
former of these causes cannot be removed,
because it is a natural law beyond the
control of legislation. The second of
these cannot be removed by legislators,
who are the creation of the people.
The trust is not nDmitiuatad owl
The Standard Oil company is the most re-
markable organization in the world Re-
markable, not simply because of its ire
mendous success, but because of the new
business methods that it has introduced.
The great combinations of capital have
| opened up new markets for American
products and have thus brought nations
nearer together A commercial organiza-
ton between nations will probably be
more effective in the promotion of peace
than any peace conference in which all
countries were represented. The trust
also shows what can be accomplished by
| taking advantage of the economics of pro-
ductiOn. In many cases what was con-
sdered a waste product has now become
valuable.
The trust is dangerous element in the
nations life because of the immense con-
centraton of power in the hands of fe "
men. This power is not limited by any
means to the control of the price of
| products to the consumer, but extends TO
the control of the laboring man, not
simply in wages but in the periods of
labor as well. The trust can give cheaper
products, but it is easily proved that such
| has no: been the result.
The trust ought not to become party
| issue, because it is question that con-
Germs every section of the country alike,
and both of the great national parties, if
they are not interested simply in their
| party organization, must wish for con-
: troll of any cause detrimental in its effect
| upon the people. 1t ought not TO become
a party issue in any state, because state
| legislation has in many instances proved
| pernicious to the commercial welfare of
the community. Unless there could be
exact uniformity in state legislation, cor
poratons might easily become the sub
| ject of persecution.
The trust question ought not to become
party issue, because it is to be question.
ed whether either party had the courage to
enact legislation which shall be radical
enough to cure the evil The supreme
court has decided that the power of Con-
! gress over these corporations is limited by
the Constitution. President Mckinley
has not expressed at any time a decided
opinion on the subject of national legisa-
ton regarding mOnopolies. He is the
leader of the party in power, therefore it is
to be feared that if made party issue the
motive would be to attract votes, rather
than to cure the evil. Federal contro
vested in Congress by an amendment to
the Constitution is the best method OF
meeting the question. The large corpora
tions are in the country to stay. Legisla-
ton should be directed towards a contro
of them, rather than towards an attempt
to eradicate them.
Following DR.. Ellery's paper a genera
discussion of the question took place, led
by Judge Fl. II, Wheeler, in which some
interesting points we're brought out.