Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1904-04-06
HITS AT CLEVELAND.
EECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
OPENS UP ON TRUSTS.
Declares That Former President Never
Opposed Combines-Repub-
LEANS Passed Anti
Trust Bill.

on wednesday. March y, under the aus
Piees OF the Young Mems Republican
club OF that city. Foremost among the
speakers OF note was Leslie NJ. Shaw.
secretary of the national treasury. who
IN pointed and humorous way attacked
Former President Grover Cleveland on
the trust question and the merger case
as follows:
No sooner was the result OF the merger
case announced than the opposition inaug-
urated widely varying and inconsistent
tactics 10 rob the administration OF the
fruits OF ITS victory. Some demanded the
institution OF similar suits against every
large business and producing enterprise
and every consolidation or railroad inter
ests, whether OF competing systems or OF
continuous lines
The most amusing effort 10 avoid
comparison or republican and democratic
Administrations, 10 the great advantage
OF The former, appears in a recent inter
view by eN-Prcsideu Cleveland. He does
not claim to have recommended any anti
trust legislation during either OF his admin
StratloDs lie does not claim that any
antitrust legislation was passed during
elther OF his admins tratiouS lie does not
claim credit for any litigation ever instI-
tuted 20 suppress any trust or combination
during either OF his administrations. He
simply seeks 10 explain why nothing was
done, and he places the responsibility
therefor upon the courts and the constitu-
ton and upon the face that the Northern
Securities company was not organic d cur
lng ris administrator.
Cleveland Had No Remedy.
IL am very glad that the ex-president has
again commenced to take notice notwith-
standing the McKelway letter Eight
years is Il .Ong time 10 remain in mourn
Ing. But now that he has voluntarily en-
tered the lists and invited comparisons he
cannot COMPLAIN IL comparisons be made
NJ I a ia nom rs4t a
president March J. 1855. Neither in his in
augural address ECI 4. any message doe =
lie mention the subject OF trusts until i'm
neGlateIN preceding the election OF lSSS
In his last message preceding that cam
paien he refers to the existence of com
binauons frequently called trusts and
Gloss with this sage conclusion:
The people can hardly hope for any
cons .r'r'u"h IT, the operation of these
selfish Schemes
lie recommends no relief and sugges; 5
NO remedy
Nevertheless the congress to which this
comprehensive statement Of fact was sub
mltted. majority OF the me 1rbers Of which
belonged 10 his school OF political thought
appointed commission to investigate the
tGbJ=ct. The uurpcse Of the commission
was - convince the people that their inter
.sls were not ling neglected. at least dur
ing tn campaign, ana that II Mr.. Cleveland
was reelected some remedial legislation
would follow. To that end this commiss. on
held meetings from time to tine throu, h.
Cut the campaign.
Mr.. Cleveland was not reelected. how
ever but when congress reconvened, in q
paragraph Of five lines he refers to the
subject of trusts and closes with this sad
and terrifying announcement:
corporations. which should be the
carefully restrained creatures Of the law
md the servants Of the people, are fast be
coming the peoples masters
But he recommends no relief and sug-
sests no possible way OF escape.
Two Gays before the Inauguration Of
president Harrison the commission 20
which ! have referred made its report.
setting forth what eVidt ntly appeared To
the commission as most deplorable con
dillon:
Your committee respectfully reports
That the number Of combinations and trust :
formed and forming in this country is. as
your committee has ascertained. very large
and affects large portion of the important
manufacturing and Industrial interests Of
the country. They DO not report any list
Of these combinations. for the reason that
lev C2tS are constantly forming and Old
ones are constantly extending their rela-
lions 30 as TO cover new branches Of bust
ness and invade new territories
Their words OF ENCOURAGEMENT which
follow must be read in the light Of the fact
that two days later q republican congress
e-ected some months before, was to con
vene. Listen:
Your committee further reports that
owing 10 present differences Of opinion be-
tween the members OF your committee
they limit this report to submitting 10 the
careful consideration of subsequent con
crosses the facts shown by the TESTIMONY
taken before the committee
Both the president and the committee
ackno" edge the existence OF harmful
trusts and combinations. but neither to.c.
forth to the people any ray Of hope except
at the hands OF those who were about 10
I'll their seats.
Republicans Pass Antitrust Bill.
The republican congress was not long
inactive. The very hrst bill introCuc,d
IN the senate OF the Fify-frst con
gress was John Stermau's antitrust biz
senate t4e No. J. 1t passed both houses ard
received The signature Of Benjamin Ial-
TIson.
"The passage Of this act was followed
~ several suits for its enforcement and
seNeidi decisions By the supreme court
were secured declaring 10 constitution.
ana applying 30 90 various coud tiors
Ihe1. on March 4. 1883. President Cleveland
was again .Haugur.tttd and iu his inaugural
address he refers 90 trusts. Saving:
Ihese ag2regatious and combinations
lIttutht.S constitute cCuspIracies aga INST
ne interests OF the people and iu ali their
phases they are unnatural and ouuos,
70 Our American sense Of fairness 10 a..
extent That they can be reached ana r..
straio@d by federal power the general GOV
eminent should relieve our citizens from
their interference ana exartiorsF
"He suggests no modification of .t. 49,
man act AID recon m ends nothing i'm rs
place but 300 harmony with the Teachings
of stale fcifrejgu'F statesmansh.p az
winch ne alWafs haD been and therefore
always vii he dI.igent student. he s,,e.
Ctsts mat il is Ysry doubtful whether tie
federal government has any jurisdiction
~ the premises
Cleveland Discouraged New Laws.
That was In h's inaugural address. lie
does not again refer 20 the subject OF trusts
Ia message or proclamation until Deem
EySeveral Parker delegates have
u L.