Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-26
DECISION
INDICATES
SECRETARY SHAW SHOWS UP
HISTORY OF TRUST
LEGISLATION.
CLEVELAND's RECORD
RECORD
Before Members Of Young Mems Re.
publican Club in Providence, Mr..
Shaw Strikes sIedse Hammer Blow
For Administration.

Providence, R. l., March 24.-Trust
legislation. it's progress under several
administrations and the attitude of
former President Cleveland in regard
TO such legislation constituted the prin-
clpal points of Secretary Shaw's ad.
aress delivered here last evening be.
lore the members of the Young Mems
republican club. Mr. Shaw told in
MS forclble way just what has been ac-
compllshed and by whom. He was
given the closest attention as his re.
marks are OF the greatest Importance
regarding the attitude of the present
administration concerning this question
tnat Will be one of the important con-
slderatlons OF the coming campaign.
MIR. Shaw's Address.
Mr.. Shaw said in part:
NO sooner was the result of the
merger case announced than the oppo.
sltlon inaugurated widely varying and
inconsistent tactics to rob the admin
lstration of the fruits of it's victory.
Some demanded the institution of sim.
liar suits against every large business
and producing enterprise and every
consolidation of railroad interests.
whether of competing systems or OF
continuous lines. The most amusing
effort to avoid a comparison of repub.
l1can and democratic administrations
to the great advantage of the former,
appears in recent interview by ex-
President Cleveland He does not
claim to have recommended any anti
trust legislation during either of his
administrations. He does not claim
that any antitrust legislation was
passed during either OF his administra-
tons. He does not claim credit for any
litigation ever instituted to suppress
any trust or combination during either
OF his administrations. He simply
seeks to explain why nothing was done,
and he places the responsibility there
for upon the courts and the constitu-
ton and upon the fact that the North
ern Securities company was not organ
lied during his administration
II am very glad that the ex-president
has again commenced toStake notice.
Notwithstanding the McKelway letter.
Eight years is long, time to remain
in mourning. But now that he has vol.
UNFAIRLY entered the lists and invited
comparisons, he cannot complain if
comparisons be made.
Mr.. Cleveland was first inaugurated
president March d, 1885. Neither in his
inaugural address nor in any message
does he mention the subject of trusts
until Immediately preceding the cleo
ton Of 1883. In his last message pre-
ceding that campaign he refers to the
existence of combinations frequently
called trusts" and closes with the sage
conclusion:
Quotes From Cleveland.
"'The people can hardly hope for
any consideration in the operation of
those selfish schemes
"He recommends no relief and sug-
| gests no remedy Nevertheless the con
gress to which this comprehensive
statement of fact was submitted, a
majority of the members of which be-
| longed to his school Of political
thought, appointed commission to in
vestigate the subject The purpose of
the commission was to convince the
people that their interests were not be-
ing neglected, at least during the cam
paign, and that if Mr.. Cleveland was
reelected some rem edial legislation
would follow To that end this COM
mission held meetings from time to
time throughout the campaign. Mr..
| Cleveland was not reelected, however,
but when congress reconvened, in a
paragraph of five lines he refers to the
subject of trusts, and closes with this
sad and terrifying announcement:
! Corporations which should be the care
fully restrained creatures of the law
and the servants of the people, are
1 fast becoming the peoples masters
But ne recommends no relief and sug
4 gests no way of escape.
1.-TWO days before the inauguration
of President Harrison the commission
to which have referred, made it's re-
port, setting forth what evidently ap
Il peared to the commission as most
deplorable condition.
Il Your committee respectfully re
ports that the number of combinations
J and trusts formed and forming in this
country is, as your committee has as
certained, very large and affects q
large portion of the important manu-
4 featuring and industrial interests OF
the country. They do not report any
! list of these combinations for the rea
son that new ones are constantly form
ing and old ones are constantly ex
tending their relations so as to cover
new branches of business and invade
new territories
"Their words of encouragement
which follow must be read in the lighr
of the fact that two days later a re
; publican congress, elected sons
) months before was to convene Listen:
"'Your committee further repor
that owing to present differences O.
opinion between the members of YOU
committee. they limit this report tx
submitting to the careful consideration
of subsequent congresses the facts
shown by the testimony taken before
the committee
| Acknowledge Trusts Exist.
| Both the president and the com
mittee acknowledge the existence O
j, harmful trusts and combinations, bu
neither holds forth to tha noor,Ia a ~