The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1903-11-21

aud this wealth enables them TO endow
colleges that will teach ideas which are
subversive Of our republic, and also to
control the Metropolitan press TO pro-
mulgate their perniclous doclnn,s Of a
plutocrycy.
To illustrate the workings Of this
monopoly, we will give a couple Of K
amples: 10 Colorado new oil wells
were discovered. The owner of the
land believed be had a fortune, and
commenced operating them. As soon as
the Standard oil Company learned this
they sent an agent to buy the land, but
being unsuccessful In the effort they be-
gan a system of freeze out, by selling
oil in that locality at these cents a gal
Ion Their plan proved successful, they
soon became the possessors of the wells,
and oil vent up again to its original
high price. The former owner, despon-
dent over his misfortune became IN
zane.
When oil was discovered at Corsi.
Gamma Texas it was operated by lude-
pendent refineries. The Standard Oil
company used various means to obtain
control of these wells aud they now
have a refinery there. One method was
as follows: A merchant in northern
Texas bought a car load of oil from
the independent refinery al FIVE ceuls a
gallon, n third the price they had
formerly paid TO the Standard Oh
Company. The company on learning
these facts offered to buy the oil of the
merchant at his purchase price, pro-
vidtd he would sign au agreement not
TO buy oil except from them. The mer-
chant refused. The Standard Oh Com
pany then reduced the price of oil ID
that locality to less than The merchant
paid for his oil.
Sull failing to accomplish heir pur-
pose they put in a stock of groceries
and uudersold him until be was coul-
PEELED TO accept their terms. Oil was
then put up to its former high price,
the people received only a temporary
benefit while the corporation was
squeezing the merchant Into subser.
viency and bankruptcy.
Proper legislation could correct such
evils. The people are sovereign, and
corporations can only act and do busl-
ness by the consent of the people.
Corporations are e~nthroned, and cor
ruption is in high places" said Abra-
ham Lincoln, The people ale begin
ming to think, and the democrats OF
the conservative state Of New York, 10
their late state platform said that the
coal mines should be owned and oper.
ated by the government. THIS is car.
rying Democracy to its farthest limits.
Public utilities in cities, such rs iele.
phones, lights, water, and street cars
are rapidly becoming the property OF
municipalities and are operated for the
benefit of the people. The general gov
eminent has for a nun Der OF years
successfully operated our postal s,s-
TEN, and there is a strong sentlnentm
favor of government ownership of lele
graphs and railway systems.
No individual or combination of 10
dividuals with a corporate chartu
should " or control any public utill-
ties, because such control has a latent
power of taxation and the control OF
these necessities should always be 10
the hands of the people for the ben,f
of all, and should not be entrusted in
the hands Of a corporation to be used
to accumulate great fortunes for them.
selves at the expense and discomfort Of
the masses.
S A. HAsELTINE,
Springfield, Mo.