The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-01-27
HOUSTON. SATURDAY. JAN. ~, 1000
TEN PAGES TODAY.
NEWSPAPERS AND THE TRUSTS.


The Post has insisted that there are
many trusts which could not exist with
out the aid OF the customs tariff. Until
recently this contention has been vlciously
sssailed by the administration press. Tho
trust has been held by the graduates OF
the new-risen school OF commercial eco
Monies to be the legitimate consequence Of
wholesome and desirable business evolu-
ton. These contend, with that confident
zeal which should only attend worthy
cause. that the combine In as necessarily
commercial incident To prove progress
as man. according to Darwlnism. Is indis
pensable to demonstrate the present cli-
max of his evolutionary ascent from the
protoplasm.
Nothing, however, so completely destroys
theory and pushes men into tho realm Of
the practical as experience and actual re-
suit, No man can argue against either any
more than he can, by mere assertion make
the Mississippi river or Pixies Peak cease
to exist.
Newspapers that have heretofore been
declaring evory contemporary that has
consoientiously sought to handicap the
combines in their wild race OF greed. an
enemy TO modern commercial progress, are
now beginning TO see some merit in the
position that wherever the customs tariff
operates TO foster q combine 1t should he
ieglslnted by congress out OF existence.
Why this marvellous changer
For two years everything. except the
business and mental energy necessary to
The Issuance OF newspaper, has been
steadily advancing in price The advance
has been tremendous and ranges from 81
cents to SLlO. Newspapers have, there.
Tore, been compelled to advance advertls.
Ing and subscription rates or TO embark
upon a career Of loss whose ugly goal Is
the referee in bankruptcy.
Impelled by these conditions and this
prospect, the newspapers are urging that
universal editorial protest come up like
rising storm from the American press
against the continuation OF tariff condi-
ton that has placed their business within
the grasp OF the combines They now in
sist upon the removal OF tariff on all prln,
paper.
The Colorado Editorial association, re-
Gently adjourned at Denver. passed reso
luton In which the declaration is made
that.
by united action on the part OF large dailies
No believe that the tariff may ho renewed
the present session OF congress There il
10 time 10 lose and We should remind all
lnat there Is danger In delays. Paper dealers
and aEents calmly inform us tha, before Inc
end OF tho year white paper will reach I
scats per pound We urge all 10 Immediate
one city. but every newspaper In svery , icy.
ton Of the country regardless OF politirS
Yer Lhls u a ncn-partisan movement, and
therefore 10 the interest of the poonis n
may be safely asserted that tho entire nr,ss
-daily weekly and monthly almost without
exception favor this measure all for ono ana
the paper trust
Necessity Tor united and immediate ae-
ton is admitted. but where is proof OF tho
assertion that the destruction Of the tariff
on print paper, or anything else. is non
partisan measure? To destroy II. IN this
instance where II creates combine that
strangles competition. is to do an ''act in
tho interest Of the people" Yes. hut Ia II
not SO with respect to every other COM
oine that lives, thrives and rohs under the
care and protection OF the Federal govern.
ment! What thing is responsible for tariff
enactments. from whence these conse.
quenees have come. as vicious plaeuesg
Is It not the republican party who
more than the president OF the United
states, has clsmored for the perpetuation
OF the customs tariff. and who. more than
L. -.