The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-03-23
ONLY A BLUFF.

AT last the Republicans have brought
forward their plan of dealing with the
trusts, and it is as evasive and procras-
tinating as their course on the Puerto
Rican bill would lead one to expect.
Instead of using the powers which the
supreme court has declared to exist in
every case where a test has been made
--lukewarmly as they have always been
urged by Attorney General Griggs-to
devise new laws from behind which the
trusts cannot wriggle, the Republicans
have decided to propose an amendment
to the constitution. which will take at
least three years to be adopted and
will allow them to go into the campaign
this fall declaring to the people that
they have taken steps to cripple the
trusts, and at the same time winking
at the trusts to indicate that the latter
need have little fear of either the adop
tion of the amendment or of action un-
der it when adopted.
Here is the proposed amendment as
introduced by Representative Ray,
chairman Of the committee on judiciary:
Resolved: That the following article
be proposed to the legislatures of the
several states as an amendment to the
constitution of the United States:
Article XVI. The congress shall have
the power to regulate and repress mon
opolies and combinations; to create and
dissolve corporations, and dispose of
their property; to make all laws neces-
sary and proper for the execution Of the
foregoing powers. Such powers may be
exercised by the several states in any
manner not in conflict with the laws
of the United States.
This amendment, even if adopted, will
not strengthen the hands of congress to
any marked degree. The principles of
the Sherman antitrust law, repeatedly
declared constitutional by the supreme
court will apply to nearly any corpora
tion in the land and when combined
with the recommendations Of the In
dustrial commission Will unquestionably
reach the evil. The commission, it will
be remembered, recommended that the
trusts be placed under the jurisdiction
of the Interstate commerce commission;
that they may be required to publish
periodical statements of their earnings,
expenditures, profits and so forth, and
that their accounts be subject to fire.
quent inspection like the affairs Of
national banks. This is practically Mr..
Bryan's plan, but to pass such a law
would be to win the hostility Of the
trusts, on which the Republican party
depends for its campaign funds. Yet
the Republican leaders realize the
necessity of forestalling the action of
the Democratic national convention up
on this subject. They are aware that
Mr.. Bryan expects to make the trusts
one of the principal issues in the cam
paign, and expects to hold the Republi-
can party responsible for their pro-
lection and encouragement as well as
their existence. lie mas alfeauy QUINN
ed his purpose in that direction. Before
the Republicans committed the gross
stupidity of attempting to plundeI
Puerto Rico at the behest of the sugar
trust, they might fairly have hoped thai
the Democrats would be divided on ex'
4 pansion, and united only on trusts. But
now that they are united in opposition
TO the Republican policy on imperialism
as well. there is all the greater neces
sity for the latter to make some sor
of bluff at regulation and restriction
which. while It really amounts to moth
ing. win give the spellbinders something
70 talk about.