The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-10-20
FORCING THE TRUST ISSUE.
Hugh O'COnnOr Is LOOsening Mr.. Zen
Or's Scalp, Preparatory to Removal.

Hugh O'COnnOr Is LoOsening Mr.. Zen
or's Scalp, Preparatory to Removal.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
SALEM. Ind, Oct. 19.-Hugh 7. O'Connor
and James d. Connor, of Wabash. who
are making a canvass of Washington coun-
ty, held meetings at Picking and South
Boston, Wednesday. Mr.. O'Connor, in dis
cussing the trusts. said: 1.-The great monop-
Olies or trusts which menace the people
have the means to surround themselves
with the very best legal talent. They pay
their counsel salaries all the way from
5000 to $4,000 a year, and even more.
Thus fortified, it becomes a serious prop
csition for the individual States to attempt
the dissolution of trust, because it entails
almost endless litigation and expense, the
trust carrying its case from one court to
another. almost bankrupting the State s
treasury, to fight it to finish. Compre-
hending these facts, but determined to
overcome the growing evil, the Republican
Congress. true to it's promise. introduced
the antitrust amendment to the Constitu-
ton, which defined, first, that the United
States meant and included all States, Ter
ritories and possessions; second, that Con-
gresS should have the power to create any
corporation for the purpose of commerce
between the States, including railroad tele-
graph, telephone, transportation, express
and sleepng-car companies; third. that all
corporations should be under the control of
Congress, including the power to impose
a franchise tax. terminate their existence.
forfeit their franchises. control and make
disposition of their property; fourth. that
Congress should have the power to enforce
tho amendment by appropriate legislation.
and fifth, that in the absence of legislation
by Congress. all power conferred by the
third section upon Congress might be ex-
crcised by the several States.
This amendment would have passed, and
the trusts be already under national con-
troll, had not the Democratic congressman,
with the exception of five. voted against ii.
My distinguished opponent. Mr.. Zenor. was
not one of the five; he voted against the
amendment. Not so very long ago Mr..
Bryan himself recommended amend
ment to the Constitution TO combat the
evils of trusts. but il seems when the
amendment came up IL was realized by the
Democratic leaders that a general cleo
ton was coming on and campaign issues
were scarce, so word was passed around
To oppose the amendment which would
control the trusts, and the evil was thus
preserved so that it might afford the DEM
ocrats an issue in this campaign.
This is a serious matter, and one upon
which Mr.. Zenor and other Democratic
congressman in Indiana may find them
selves put out of office despite the large
majorities they held two years ago. The
honest minded voters of Dubois, and Perry
and Washington, and, in fact, all over this
district. will not stand any scheming OF
the kind. Members of Congress are paid
good salaries TO enact proper laws at
Washington. not to impede necessary legis-
lation for the sake of campaign issues.
Mr.. Bryan and his party are frothing at
the mouth in their denunciation of trusts.
Why did they not help to dispose of the
evil last spring when they were given the
opportunity? For myself and the other
candidates for member of Congress from,
this State will say that we are determined
to enact the antitrust legislation. and the
trend of feeling in all parts OF the State
is that we shall be given the opportunity"