The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-09-19

Ne Republicas Presiaent Or Congress
nss ~ to the Presest Brought
II About.

For six long years the republicans
have had control Of all branches of
the government, executive, legislative
and judicial. During this period the
organization and growth Of the trusts
has been most prolific and their extor-
lions from the public have been en-
larged and extended 10 most Of the
necessities Of life. The coal combins
and the beef trust are examples OF
the growth of combinations during
this period Of republican administra-
ton.
The opening of this era Of republican
rule was emphasized by the enactment
OF the Dingley law, many schedules OF
which were not only intended TO pro-
tect the combines, but we're actually
prepared by attorneys Of the trusts
and therefore were entirely in their
interests. The trust magnates, finding
themselves securely intrenched and
protected then began series of great
combinations that staggered the COM
mercal world and have gradually
raised prices Of most necessities 10 the
highest notch ever before known.
Naturally the voters begin TO kick
at these exactions and attempts were
made by the democrats in congress to
reduce them. The present executive
in his first message TO the congress
recommended publicity as an antidote,
but no notice was taken Of this recon-
mendation by the republicans in con-
gress. 1t remained for democratic
20
the census bill or the lines of Presi-
dent Roosevelt's recommendation. A
vote was taken and all the republicans
present voted against il and all the
democrats for it, but il was defeated,
for the republicans were in command
of the situation.
The political situation became
more acute and upon the close of the
first session of the Fifty-seventh
congress the president determined
to take the stump and try and stay
the tide that was flowing in favor
of controlling these vast corpora
tions. 1t appears from his speeches
that he has no remedy to offer other
than publicity of trusts transactions,
unless an amendment TO the consti-
tuition can be had. but this would
only be available to future gen.
Grafton and the voters are clamoring
| for immediate relief. To change the
constitution requires two-thirds OF
congress to vote to propose it. and
three-fourths of all the states TO
ratfy such change. Clearly this is
an impossible achievement IL the
present temper Of congress is con
tinued. besides the further obstacle
of all but one-fourth Of the states
agreeing to the same. The corpor-
ations control over one-third Of the
senate was stated by Senator Nor
gan, and IL is doubtful IL they do
not control greater percentage of
the present house of representatives
Under these circumstances can the
republican party be relied on to con-
troll the trusts? 1t would seem TO
be unlikely and improbable. Grant
ing that President Roosevelt is sim
cere i'm his trust batting. will he he
able to bring his party to the same
form of mind? But unfortunately,
there are strong indications that the
president himself il but lukewarm
in his antitrust fight. If he were
sincere, would he be silent on the
principal remedy for stopping the
extortions of the principal combines
by saying not word about revising
the tariff and thus cut of the pro-
lection that these combines now en-
Joy. and which allows them TO fleece
the people to the tune Of from 80 to
100 per cent?
Nor does he say n word about the
coal strike or lift finger to stop
IL, yet there would seem to be way
open. The law of Pennsylvania for
bids railroads TO operate mines or
manufactures Of any kind. and the
federal antitrust law provides that
combines can be punished by fine
and imprisonment and the judicial
arm Of the government could enforce
IL.
The miners Of Pennsylvania have
behaved with wonderful moderation,
but no word Of praise or encourage
ment has been vouchsafed them by
the president. though he enightens
the public on much less important
matters at great length and minute
ness.
II Is. therefore. useless to look
for relief from trust exactions
from republican president or n re-
publican congress; they are bound to