The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-16
DEMOCRACY'S CREED
IN BRIEF.
Tariff, Trusts and Govern
ment Ownership.
An Interview With Senator Simmons Secured
for the Columns Of the New York
American.
Especial to News and Observer

Especial to News and Observer
Washington, D. c., Dec. 13.-The fol-
lowing interview from Senator Simmons
will appear in tomorrow issue of the
New York American as one of series of
interviews on the subjects of the Demo-
cratic position on the tariff, trusts, and
government ownership of railroads, which
the American is now publishing.
Opposition to monopolies and to tax
alton levied in behalf of individuals and
special interests instead of for the pur-
pose of raising revenue to defray expen-
ses of the government, economically ad-
mnistered is fundamental in the Demo-
cratic creed. In raising the more than
four hundred million dollars by customs
taxation necessary to meet annual appro-
priation, abundant opportunity will be
afforded without prostituting the power of
taxation to purposes of greed to do equity
to American labor and industries. There
should be no uncertainty in the platform
declarations of the party either as to tar
if or as to monopolies. They should be
in line with it's well known attitude in
the past upon these questions.
Under our present economic and in
dustrial system there is an undoubted re-
lationship between the prevailing tariff
system and the trusts. Speaking in a
general way, the two are inseparable.
Therefore, in addition to the general de-
mand for a return to the Democratic the
DRY of a revenue tariff, there should be
specific and urgent demand for the fmme-
date revision OF the tariff wherever the
duties now imposed furnish shelter to
monopolieS. The platform should de-
mand, not only the removal of this tariff
shelter as q means of trust disestablish-
ment, but it should demand the enact
ment OF adequate prohibitory legislation
and a rigid enforcement of that legisla-
ton, both for the purpose of dissolving
through the courts these illegal combi-
nations and Furnishing these who are
guilty of participation in it's violation.
But all trusts and monopolies are not
fed and supported by the tariff. There are
combinations OF capital that have become,
by reason of their control of the mar
kets, practical monopolies which may not
be illegal organizations or capable of be-
ing reached by any prohibitory or penal.
laws Congress may constitutionally pass,
or that it would be wise under our dual
system of government for it to enact.
These combinations are no less harmful
and inimical to the public welfare than
monopolies resulting from Illegal organ
izations. Our platform should demand
that this class of combinations be brought
under government supervision and con-
troll
Government control is not the proper
remedy for illegal combinations and con-
spiracies. The remedy for such organ
iZations is dissolution, determination and
punishment, in addition to the removal
Of the inducements and temptations found
in our tariff schedules.
There should be no attempt at govern
ment ownership of railroads, or of any
other subject of private ownership, until
it has been conclusively demonstrated
that we are powerless to protect the peo-
pie and government against the control
of the railroads and other confederated
interests. That time will not come I'M
til the futility of our institutions to ac-
complish the purposes of their creation
has been proven. The question which
that situation would present would be one
far more serious and fundamental than
any question affecting the government
ownership of railroads or other utilities
the question of recasting and building
anew our whole political system. | do
not believe that time and situation Will
ever arrive, for, in my judgment, the
government has ample powers to protect
itself and the people against the en-
croachments of these influences II an
earnest effort, commensurate with the end
in view, - made but no such effort Will
be made while the government remains
in the hands of these who either sympa-
thize with or see no danger in these en-
croachments."