The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-03-24

that any antitrust legislation was passed
during either of his administrations. He
does not claim credit for any litigation
ever instituted 20 suppress any trust or
combination during either OF his admin
istrations. He simply seeks 10 explain
why nothing was done. and he places
the responsibility therefor upon the courts
and the constitution. and upon the fact
that the Northern Securities company
was not organized during his administra-
tion.
am very glad that the ex-president
has again commenced 10 take notice. not
withstanding the McKeiway letter. Eight
years IL long time TO remain In mourn
ing But now that he has volun tarfly
entered the lists and invited comparisons.
he cannot complain II comparisons be
made
MR. CLEVELAND's RECORD
Mr.. Cleveland was first inauguratsd
president March 4. 1885. Naither in his
inaugural address nor In any message
does he mention the subject OF trusts
until Immediately preceding the election
OF 1883. In his last message preceding
that campaign. he refers TO the existence
OF combinations frequently called trusts"
and closes with this sage conclusion:
The people can hardly hope for any
confederation in the operation Of these
selfish schemes"
He recommends no relief and suggests
no remedy. Nevertheless the congreas
10 which this comprehensive statement
OF fact was submitted. majority Of the
members Of which belonged 10 hts school
OF political thought appointed a com
mission TO investigate the subject. The
purpose OF the commission was TO con-
vince the people that their interests were
not beng neglected, at least during the
campaign, and that II Mr.. Cleveland was
reelected some remedial legislation would
follow
TO that end this commission held meet
ings from time 10 time throughout the
campaign.
Mr. Cleveland was not reelected. how
ever, but when congress reconvened. In
paragraph OF FIVE lines he refers TO
me subject OF trusts and closes with
this SAD and terrifying announcement.
corporations, which should be the care
tully restrained crea atures OF the law
ana the servants OF the people, are fast
becoming the peoples masters" But he
recommends no relief and suggests no
possible way OF escape
NO RAY OF HOPE.
plwo days before the Inauguration of
PRESIDENT Harrison the commission To
Whch J have referred n ade It's report
setting forth what evidently sppeareJ p.
an, dne commission az a most deplorable con
uluon,
Your committee respectfully report
that the number of combinations and
trusts formed and forming I'm this co,in-
u,y Is as your committee has ascertained.
the important MANI ufacturing and indus
ulal interests OF the country. They do
not report any list OF there Combinations.
stantly forming and old ones are con
stantly extending their relations SO as In
cover new branches OF business and in
Their words OF announcement which
tolioW must be read In the light Of the
na0 1a0t dnat two days later Republican
was to convene. Listeni
Your committee further report that
owing TO present, differences OF opinion
they limit this report to submitting to the
careful consideration OF subsequent con-
sresses me facts shown by the testimony
taken before the committed"
Both the president and the committee
ACKNOWLEDGE the existence OF harmful
hais truis. ana comhinations. but neither
holds forth TO the people any ray OF hope
except at the hands OF those who were
about TO fill their seatA
AN ANTITRUST LAW.
The Republican congress was not long
inactive. The very first bill introduced
In the senate OF the 5ist Congress was
John shermans anti-trust bill, Senafs
Flle No 1 II passed both houses and
received the signature of Benjamin Har-
The passage OF this act was followed nv
several suits for it's enforcement. and
several decisions by the supreme court
were secured, declaring II constitutional
and applying IL to various conditjons
Then. on March A. 1898 President Cyeve-
iand was again inaugurated, and in his
nnaugural address he refers TO trusts.
These aggregations and combinations
itequently constitute conspiraries against
the interests OF the people and In ali
their phases they are unna tural and op-
Bosed TO our American sense OF fairness
40 the extent that they can be reached
ana restrained by Federal power, th~
general government should relieve our
citizens from their interference and ex-
He suggests no notifications Of the
sherman act, and recommends nothing IN
us place. but I'm harmony with the teach
l1gs or state sovereignty statesmanship,
or Which he always had been, and there
lore always viii be, dliRent student ha
susgests that IL Is very doubtful whether
tne federal government has any jurisdc-
ton in the premises.
SHIFTED THE RESPONSIBILITY.
That was in his inaugural address.
He does not again refer to the subject of
trusts in message or proclamation until
December. 1896, after the election ~
William Mckinley, when he can throw
tho responsibility upon another. in this.
his last message. he denounces combIna-
tions OF every description in language as
intemperate and infammatory as was
ever employed by his party's most recent
candidate for the presidency. lie says:
The tendency is to crush out individu-
al independence and 10 hinder and prevent
the free use OF human faculties and the
full development of human character"
lie then discouraged Federal legislation
by saying:
The fact must be recognized, however
that all Federal legislation on this CUB
Ject may fall short OF its purpose because
or the complex character OF our govern
mental system. which. while making the
Federal authority supreme in it's sphere,
has carefully limited that sphere by
meets and bounds that can not be trans
gressed. The decision OF our highest
court on this precise question renders II
quite doubtful whether the evils OF trusts
and monopolies can he adequately treated
through Federal action unless they seek.
directly and purposely. TO include in their
objects transportation or intercourse be-
tween states or between the United States
and foreign countries
AGAINST IMPORTERS ONLY.
Their sole legislation was against com