Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-01-06
Fifty-Seventh Congress.
Washington, d. c., Jan. Q.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Mr.. Proctor gave notice that tomorrow
morning he would move to take up tne
bill for the reorganization Of the militia.
There was laid before the Senate the
resolution of Mr.. Vest, introduced yes
terday, to place anthracite coal on the
free list.
The pending motion was to refer 1t TO
the committee on finance, made by DIR.
Aldrich.
Mr.. Vest, in speaking to the resolu-
ton said the question of duty on coal
was no longer a partisan one; it was an
absolute humanity, at a time when
women and children were reported to be
dying from cold in midst of wealth, end
luxury.
The resolution then went over and at
one o'clock Mr.. Hoar, of Mass. took the
floor to discuss the trust question.
Mr.. Hoar then took the floor and dis
cussed in a mastery manner the trust
problem. The Senator was listened TO
with the closest attention by both floor
and gallery. Among other things he
said he did not regard the existence OF
the so-called trusts present danger to
the country. As yet, he said, there has
been no serious injury. Nevertheless
there is a general feeling of insecurity
and alarm. 1t behooyes Congress to
legislate so as to prevent great injury in
the future. After defining the trusts
Mr.. Hoar contended that with the very
important exception of the coal strike
the country has not suffered from the
trust evil in any way to affect the gen
eral prosperity. The condition Of our
workingmen was in general better than
that of other countries and better than
at any previous period of our history.
So it was for the future, rather than
the present that Congress should act.
''The corporation," he said, ''is an
artificial being. 1t never dies. 1t is
never wound up. II never goes through
the probate court, as in the case of great
personal estates. Its internal transac-
tons are kept secret. 1t is not Jealous
for its own honor or reputation, except
so far as its honor or reputation is essen
tial to its getting money. 1t has nc
soul and no conscience. In general
the men who are most powerful
in its management can, if they SCI
fl, avoid responsibility to public
opinion. They always expect t.
avoid personal liability for obligations
[ think that the best way to take care o.
ourselves is to prevent the danger and
not to encounter it in its full strength
Is there any other power likely to be SC
dangerous politically? Such a money
power is greater than the power of many
States. 1t is greater than the power o.
any nation, except ours, on this CONT
nent. 1t can make wars, or it can pre-.
vent wars, as was said of the Rothschilds.
1t can threaten a. community with
a coal famine or a wheat famine
and it can execute its threat
The Senator theA~enumerated the chic
evils of the trusts, and recapitulated the
different plans which had been urged
to bride them, and repudiated most Of
them. He wanted Americans to be
the head of the commercial world, but
did not want them to forget that they arr
the slaves of the ring and that the
American people is the Aladdin. The
proposed bill he said provided in gen.
eral for only such regulations of trusts
by the federal government as
were familiar in the legislation of all
well-ordered States. These regulations
were; first, publicity in the conduct OF
business; second, power to stop theil
business altogether if they violate the
laws; third, strict penalties on their Of
ficers for violation of laws; fourth, per.
sonal liability for debts and wrongs.
HOUSE.
When the House met today report
from the committee on rules was adopt.
ed, providing for immediate considers
ton of the general staff bill, to promote
the efficiency of the army, which failed
of passing yesterday owing to the absence
of quorum.
General debate was limited to one hour
and, in committee of the whole, consid.
Grafton of the measure was begun.
The House by a vote of 1853 to 81
passed the bill providing a general stat
for the army.