Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-10-08
RELIEF FROM TRUSTS
People Can't Get 1t Through
the Republican Party.
IT is THE FRIEND OF MONOPOLY

All the Branches OF the Government
Have Been In the Hands OF the Re-
publicans For Six Years, and Dur
INK That Time Trusts Have Flour
ishcd Never Before.
For six long years the Republicans
have had control OF all branches of the
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Legislative and
judicial. During This period the or.
ganization and growth of the trusts
have been most prolific. and their extor-
tons from the paLlic have been en-
larged and eNtoaCcd TO most of the
necessities of life. The coal combine
and the beef trust are examples of the
growth of combinations during This pc
Rod of Republican administration.
The opening OF this era of Republic
an rule was emrha sized 10y the enact
ment of the Diu.ley law. many SEIZED
ules of which were not only intended
TO protect the combines. hut were ac-
tually prepared by attorneys of the
trusts and therefore were entirely in
their interests. The trust maynateS,
finding themselves securely intrcnchCd
great combinations that staggered the
commercial world and have gradually
raised prices of most necessities TO the
highest notch ever before known.
Naturally the voters began TO kick at
these eXactions. and attempts were
made 10y the Democrats in congress to
reduce them. The present executive
i'm his first message To the congress
recommended publicity as an autidote.
but no notice WAS taken Of this recon
mendaticn by thy Republicans i'm con
gveSS. Ii rCma inOd for Democratic
senator To propose an amendment To
the census bill ua the lines OF PrcSi-
dent RooSeVclt'S recommendation. \
vote WAS taken. and all the Republic
ans present voted against il and all
the Democrats for it. but it was de
feated. FOR the Republicans were i'm
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 10 take the
stump and try TO stay the tide that
WAS flowing in favor OF controlling
these vast corporations. 1t appears
from his speeches that he has no rem
cdy TO offer other than publicity Of
trusts transactions unless an amend
ment to the constitution can be had,
but this would only be available to n
future generation and the voters are
clamoring for immediate relief. To
change the constitution requires two
thirds Of congress 10 vote To propose
IL and three-fourths of all the states to
ratify such changes. Clearly this is
an impossible achievement If the pres
cnt temper of congress is continued,
besides the further obstacle of all but
one-fourth OF the states agreeing TO
the same. The corporations control
over one-third OF the senate. was stat
ed by Senator Morgan, and il is doubt
full II they do not contrOl~a greater per-
ccntage OF the present house OF repre-
sentatives. Under these circumstances
can the Republican party be relied on
10 control the trusts? IL would seem
10 he unlikely and improbable Grant
ing that President Roosevelt is sincere
in his trust batting. will he be able to
bring his party TO the same frame OF
mindf Unfortunately. there are strong
indications that the president himself
is but lukcwarm in his antitrust fight.
If he were sincere, would he be silent
ON the principal remedy for stopping
the eXtOrtions of the principal COM
bineS by saying not Il word about re-
vising the tariff and thus cutting of
the protection 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 a word about the
coal strike or lift a finger to stop It.
yet there would seem TO be way
open. The law OF Pennsylvania for
bids railroads 10 operate mines or man
ufactories of any kind, and the fed
erai antitrust law provides that com
bines can be punished by fine and i'm
priSonment, 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 enlightens the
public on much less important matters
at great length and minuteness.
1t is therefore useless TO look for re-
lief from trust exactions from a Re
publican president or Il Republican
congress. They are bound to their
idols