Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1902-10-24

Have Seen In the HaadA OF the Re-
Dubheaas For sax Years. and Dur
ing That Ttae Trusts Have Flour
ished ~ Never Before.
For six long years the Republicans
have had control OF all branches OF the
goyernment-executive. Legislative and
judicial. During this period the or
ganization and growth OF the trusts
have been most prolific. and their extor-
lions from the public have been en-
larged and extended to most OF the
necessities OF life. The coal combine
and the beef trust are examples OF the
growth of combinations during this pc
riod Of Republican administration.
The opening OF this era OF Republic
an rule was emphasized by the enact
ment OF the Dingley law, many SEIZED
ules OF which were not only intended
to protect the combines, but We're &C
tually prepared by attorneys OF the
trusts and therefore were entirely I'm
their interests. The trust magnates,
finding themselves securely intrenched
and protected. then began a series OF
great combinations that staggered the
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 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 a Democratic
senator to propose an amendment to
the census bill ON the lines OF Presi-
dent Roosevelt's recommendation. A
vote was taken. and all the Republic
ans present voted against II and all
the Democrats for 1t. but 1t was de-
feated. 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 to stay the tide that
was flowing In favor OF controlling
these vast corporations. 1t appears
from his speeches that he has no rem
edy 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 a
future generation, and the voters are
clamoring for immediate relief. To
change the constitution requires two
thirds OF congress to vote TO propose
II and three-fourths OF all the states to
ratify such changes Clearly this is
an impossible achievement IL the pres
ent 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 II Is doubt
ful II they do not control a greater per-
centage OF the present house OF repre-
sentatives. Under these circumstances
can the Republican party be relied on
TO control the trusts? 1t would seem
to be 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 |
mind? Unfortunately, there are strong |
indications that the president himself |
Is but lukewarm In his antitrust fight. |
III he were sincere, would he be silent |
on the principal remedy for stopping |
the extortions OF the principal COM |
bines by saying not q word about re- |
vising the tarin and thus cutting OF |
the protection these combines now en- |
JOY and which allows them to fleece |
the people to the tune OF from 30 to |
100 per cent?
Nor does he say q word about the !
coal strike or lift a finger to stop II, |
yet there would seem to be a way
open The law OF Pennsylvania for. |
bids railroads to operate mines or man
ufactories OF any kind. and the fed |
eral antitrust law provides that com. |
bines can be punished by fine and i'm.
prisonment, and the judicial arm Of |
the government could enforce 1t.
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.
IL is therefore useless to look for re-
lief from trust exactions from a Re
publican president or Republican
congress- They are bound to their
idols