The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-09-19
.|MPOTENT PARTY
Republicans Show Thems elves
Unwilling TO Cope With the
Trust Problem.
No Republican President or Republic
IN Congress Has Ever Secured
Relief In This Direction.
Growth Of the Trusts Has Been Most
Prolific Under undisturbed Re.
publican Rule.

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-
tions 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
period Of Republican administration.
The opening Of this era Of Republi-
can rule WAS emphasized BY the en-
actment OF the Dingley law. many
schedules OF which were not only in
tended TO protect the combines, but
we're actually 2aIe' 'y attorneys
OF the tru: AMI ;le were en-
tirely In tEeir interest,". The trust
magnates. finding Is smselves securely
entrenched and ro.ected. then began
series OF great combinations that
staggered the commercial world anu
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 by the Democrats in congress
to reduce them. The present execu-
tive in his first message to the con-
gress recommended publicity as an an
tidote, but no notice was taken Of this
recommendation by the Republicans In
congress 4 remained for . Demo
cratic senator to propose an amend
ment to the census bill on the lines
Of President Roosevelt's recommends
ton. A vote was taken and all the
Republicans present voted against 1t
and all the Democrats for It, but It
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 57th congress the pres
ident determined to take the stump
and try and stay the tide that was
flowing in favor of controlling these
vast corporations. It appears from his
speeches that he has no remedy to
offer other than publicity Of trusts
transactions. unless an amendment to
the constitution can be had. but this
would only be available to . future
generation. and the voters are clam
oring for immediate relief. To change
the constitution requires two-thirds Of
congress to vote to propose 1t and
three-fourthe OF all the states to ratify
such changes. Clearly this is an I'm
possible achievement II the present
temper Of congress 10 continued, be-
sides 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
full IL they do not control q greater per-
centage OF the present house Of rep
rescntatives. Under these circumstan-
ces can the Republican party be re-
lied on to control the trusts? II would
seem to be unlikely and improbable.
Granting that President Roosevelt II
sincere In his frustrating. will he be
able TO bring his party to the same
fnme Of mind? But unfortunately
there are strong indications that the
president himself IL but lLkewarm In
his antitrust nght. II he we're sin
cere, would he be silent on the prin-
cipal remedy for stopping the extor-
tions Of the principal combines. BY
saying not . word about revising the
tariff and thus cut OF the protection
that these combines now enjoy 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 . finger to stop II.
ret there would seem to be Z way
open. The law Of Pennsylvania for
bids railroads to operate mines or man.
ufactories of any kind. and the federal
antitrust Law provides that combines
can be punished BY ane and imprison-
ment. and the judicial arm OF the gov
eminent could enforce II.
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 mat
tiers 1t great length and minutepess.
Il II therefore useless to look for
relief from trust exactions from Z Re-
publican president or . Republican
congress. They are bound to tfeir