The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-03-25

tioSioeHCe. II. l., MarCn S5--Ihe Re-
publican national campaign In Rhode
Island. was virtually opened tonight
by Secretary OF the Treasury Leslie n.
Shaw and United States Senator Nell
son w. Aldrich. OF Rhode Island. who
were the principal speakers at the ban
quet OF the Young Mems Republican
Club in Infantry hall.
Secretary Shaw said in part:
No sooner was the result of the mer-
ger case announced than the opposition
inaugurated widely varying and incon-
sistent tactics to rob the administration
OF the fruits OF its victory. Some de-
manded the institution OF similar suits
against every large business and pro-
ducing enterprise and very consoli-
dation of railroad interests whether
OF competing systems or of continuous
lines. The most amusing effort TO
avoid comparison OF Republican and
Democratic administrations. to the
great advantage of the former. appears
in recent interview by ex-Prestdent
Cleveland. He does not claim to- have
recommended any antitrust legislation
during either of his administrations.
He does not claim that any antitrust
legislation was passed during either OF
his administrations. He does not claim
credit for any litigation ever instituted
to suppress any trust or combina ton
during either of his administrations
He simply seeks to explain why moth
ing was done, and he places the respon-
sibility therefor upon the courts and
the constitution and upon the fact that
the Northern Securities Company was
not organized during his administra-
ton.
I am very glad that the ex-President
has again commenced TO take notice
mot q n zfara irlor he lfnL gclr la84
Eight years is a long time TO remain In
mourning. But now that he has volun-
tarily entered the lists and invited COM
parsons, he can not complain if COM
PARSONS be made.
Mr.. Cleveland was first inaugurated
President March 4. 1885. Neither In his
inaugural address nor in any message
does he mention the subject OF trusts
until Immediately preceding the election
Of 1888. In his last message preceding
that campaign he refers to the exis-
tence of combinations frequently cali
ed trusts" and closes with this sage
conclusion:
The people can hardly hope for any
consideration in the operation OF these
selfish schemes
He recommends no relief and sug-
gests no remedy. Nevertheless the
Congress to which this comprehensive
statement OF facts was submitted a
Y
longed TO his school of political thought
appointed a commission 10 investigate
I the subject. The purpose of the conn
mission was to convince the people that
their interests were not being neglect
ed. at least during the campaign. and
that IL Mr.. Cleveland was reelected
some remedial legislation would follow.
To that end this commission held meet
ings from time to time throughout the
campaign Mr.. Cleveland was not re-
elected. however, but when Congress
reconvened, in a paragraph OF five
lines, he refers to the subject OF trusts.
and closes with this sad and terrify-
ing announcement: Corporations,
which should be the carefully restrain
ed creatures Of the law and the SER
wants OF the people, are fast becoming
| the peoples masters" But he recon-
| mends no relief and suggests no posi-
| BILE way OF escape.
Two days before the Inauguration
| Of President Harrison the commission
| to which / have referred made It's re-
port, setting forth what evidently ap-
peared to the commission as a most
deplorable condition.
Your committee respectfully report
that the number OF combinations and
trusts formed and forming IN this coun-
| try Is as your committee has aacer-
tained. very large. and affects q large
portion OF the important manufacture
| ing and Industrial interests OF the coun-
try. They do not report any list OF
| these combinations, for the reason that
new ones are constantly forming ana
| old ones are constantly extending their
relations so as 10 cover new branches
| OF business and invade new territo-
ries"
Their words OF encouragement which
| follow must be read In the light Of the
fact that two days later Republican
Congress. elected some months before-
1 was to convene. Listeni
| Your committee further report that
owing TO present differences OF opinion
| between the members Of your commit
| tee. they limit this report to submit
ting TO the careful consideration OF sub
| eequent Congresses the facts shown by
the testimony taken before the COM
n1ttee."
Both the President and the COMMITTEES
acknowledge the existence OF harmful