The Minneapolis journal., 1903-03-02
Tho Passing CONGRESS.

On Wednesday the record OF the dfty-
seventh congress will be completed and it
would be more illustrious II to It's credit
might be written the ratification by the
senate Of the Panama Canal and the Gu
ban reciprocity treaties. It is barely pos
sible that Senator Morgan may get tired
Of dilatory talking and that the opposition
to the Cuban treaty may become ashamed
Of itself. but. in the closing hours, there
is small chance for favorable action on de-
layed, important measures.
This congress has done some good
lfngs which will make It memorable. Cent
spicuous among these is the antitrust
legislation. which was accomplished In
the face Of protest from the most potential
Of monopolistic industrial interests. The
latter indeed dared to intimidate senators
and dictate, in must terms, abstinence
from participation in such legislation.
There was, in fact, something Of the tone
Of the southern slavocracy in the thirty
first congress, where by browbeating the
northern democrats, they scored their last
success as masters OF national legislation,
and forced the several compromises, OF
which the fugitive slave bill was the most
abominable. That congress was notable.
in that while the supporters of the in
stitution," flushed with their legislative
triumphs, thought they had placed their
system upon an impregnable basis and be-
lieved that they held northern sentiment
absolutely in subsection to their plans,
their impudent and dictatorial ways
stirred to vigorous life the champions OF
| free soil and human liberty who, revolving
| in 1S4s delivered Oregon from slavery
initiated the policy of free homes on the
public lands which was given statutory
effect in 1862, and made California. a free
state, and prefaced the organization Of
the republican party a few years later.
| This same republican party enacted the
existing anti trust law of 1890 as a tenta-
tive measure and thirteen years later has
enacted laws to strengthen and make ef-
fective the former legislation and has be-
gun Immediately to put them into effect,
by turning the headlight Of honest inspec-
ton upon the transactions of powerful cor
portations, and taking steps to prevent Sc
cret rebates and rate1cutting, which are
the efficient builders of monopoly and pro-
:l moters Of grossly unjust discrimfnat ation
Such legislation Is backed by adequate
decisions of the federal supreme court
which has not only affirmed the constf-
tutionality of the antitrust law of 1890
but has just decided, in the lottery case
that the government has the right to pro
hibit the sending Of lottery tickets from
} one state to another, under its power tt
regulate commerce between the states
and can prohibit such commerce in an!
given article. The antitrust Legislation
of the tlfty-seventh congress is sanctioned
3 bv the preoepts Of common law as well
judge Grosscup's decision in the bee
. trust cases accurately defined the meaning
9 of restriction and restraint of trade g.
1 contemplated by the Sherman act, an
4 congress- has proceeded in its Legislative
! acts In the premises entirely within tn
law. There is mo doubt that the effective
ness of this legislation in actual admins
n tration will entirely vindicate the urgenc
9 demanded by the administration and tn
public for it. ....~a -..sE
It is to be regretted that the senate
y during this session, has again shown a
e unwelcome disposition to abuse its trad1
tions OF free and unrestricted debate, de
: generating even into trifling puerility ver
y distasteful to the public, who believe tina
Q a Legislative body should. in the interes
d Of the public, address itself to bushes
IL and not to vaporous dwadle. The senate
d kind of activity too often suggests that
t. is only egotism in action