The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-01-15

WELD the oppression may become un-
bearable. This tendency has become so
marked. and the evils resulting there
from SO patent, that it has led to much
national and State legislation On the
subject, but In most instances to no
avail. Combinations are still forming
and those already in existence are be-
coming more powerful. The tendency
towards GENERALIZATION Of wealth is be-
coming more marked every day. The
trust is seeking to control every line
Of industry and capitalistic monopolies
are becoming too powerful.
It is only recently, however. that the
trust has invaded the borders OF this
State. but at present it is active in
seeking to gain control Of the supply
of those commodities in which it deals.
In 1897 the general assembly OF South
Carolina passed an act TO prompt
trusts ana combinations and to pro-
vide penalties" and at your last ses-
sion a joint resolution was passed d.
recting that the attorney general OF the
State be required to forthwith lnstl-
tute an investigation to determine oy
what authority the Virginia Carolina
Chemical company is doing business IN
this State" and whether said COM
pany or any person or corporation VINO
may be engaged in any business Win
in this State has violated or Is Flo.
lating the provisions Of the laws OF
this State prohibiting trusts and com
hinations," and directing MN 70 IN
stitute such proceedings as might oe
necessary to punish violators Of said
laws against trusts and combinations
Proceeding under these Instructions
given him by you, the attorney general
Instituted a thorough investigation to
determine whether this company is en-
titled to do business in this State under
! these laws of the State prohibiting
+ trusts and combinations" a full and
elaborate report, showing the work he
has done and his plans, will be submit
ted to you. In the beginning ne cans
attention to the difficulties he had 70
encounter. The antitrust laws nave
only recently been enacted IN TINS
country. and especially in this stare,
and are not fully developed. on the
/ other hand they are as yet embryonic
and chaotic" in some parts being TOO
! sweeping and in others not covering
! the entire ground. These combinations
are organized secretly, and it is a most
! difficult maj tier to obtain definite lntor-
! nation in regard to their formation
and the purposes for which they are
| orga niZed, and definite information
must be had In order to begin an ac-
ton in the Courts. II an unlaWiul
combination exist the proof OF the
facts tending to establish its existence
is locked up in the records Of the par.
! ticipating corporations" AS you VIII
! see from the attorney Senerats report
| difficulties OF this kind are the ones
that confronted him in mis- every move.
Especial attention is called to the oe-
! fects in laws Of this State regulating
corporation It has been the tendency
in this State to give corporations a.
/ most unlimited powers, such as the
"unliunited power to deal in real
| estate" the power to acquire and
| transfer shares Of stock in other cor
porat tons" "the power to place under
mortgage or deed Of trust its fran
chises, as well as all or any OF lts
property" When foreign corporation
complies with certain provisions and
requirements" which provisions ana
requirements amount to little or MOTH
ing, it shall enjoy the rights OF 90
nestle corporations" In short. the
tendency in this State has been to
give corporations the same power to
carry on business which is accorded
to the private individual. This prln-
ciple is wrong. Corporations are crea-
lures OF the State, created by the state
mot as concession Of right, but as
a favor bestowed" and as such crea-
lures the State has right TO inquire
into the affairs and methods OF trans
acting business, and when 1t IS sats-
; fed their methods are such as are not
! conducive to the welfare or q maJorilS
hnf
created them has the right 10 put Iheih
out Of existence.
The attorney general suggests several
amendments to our existing antitrust
! laws and the enactment OF several new
! laws He has made a thorough an
yestigatio of this question OF contrcll-
! ing the trusts and his excellent report
| shows much study and care IN lts
preparation. It is worthy your most
careful and thoughtful consideration
! and my purpose is simply to direct your
attention to that report.
RAILROAD COMMISSION.
; The annual report Of the board OF
railroad commissioners for the year
/ lust closed is one Of the most COM
! plete that has been issued from TINS
! department. Tfirty-nine (39) miles OF
new mileage have heen built ano
| opened for traffic during Ine year. Lie
commission has had many important
and difficult problems with which TO
deal, affecting both the railroads and
the people. The solution OF these prob
| lens, as we'll as the condition OF the
railroads in the State, is fully stated
in the report Of the board, and your
attention is directed to this report Tor
/ information concerning this depart
ment Of the State government.
! STATE HOSPITAL FOR THE IN
SANE.
The constant accumulation Of the IN
sane in asyluns has been one OF the
| most startling features in the history
of the great charities Of the century
! lust closed, these great asylumS oelng
! at once the pride Of the Humanitarian
and a stumbling block to the leglsla-
! tive economist.
In origin our State hospital dates
among the very first, and it is now
entering upon the S0th year Of its eX-
istence. Although unfortunately 10
Gated within a city. when 1t should
have been long since removed to the
country, it has fulfilled its important
/