Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-06-26

protected all the people and harmed
none. The process OF destruction pun
ishes the innocent investors as well as
the guilty organizers
The reason for the encouraging in
activity of the republican officials is
plain. The tariff benefciaries were
and for many years had been contrib
utors TO campaign funds of the party
which in turn protected the special
privileges enjoyed by the donors. But
competition prevented in some in
stances the collection from the people
Of the full sum stipulated in the tariff.
To secure it all. tempted the cupidity
and stimulated the ingenuity Of the
beneficiaries. But one way could be
found - combination to control the
price up to the point where the statute
let in foreign competition. The same
party which shut out foreign competi-
ton was found willing to permit the
formation of combinations which effec-
tually bsnished home competition. The
common law on the subject and the
Sherman act were treated by republi-
can officials as repealed by implica-
ton. Need il be said that the protect
ed interests. for these larger privi-
leges, made larger contributions?
Combinations, of course, multiplied
rapidly under such encouragement and
stimulation, especially as the evidence
accumulated that the executive depart
ment of the government could be relied
upon for protection even in case of at
tack by enemies.
Eve are indebted to the president
for the evidence that his predecessor,
having first enjoyed an interview with
George w Perkins, restrained his at
torney general from bringing suit
against the harvester combination
For the steel corporation, he went
! further. for he wrote his attorney gen
eral in advance of its absorption of the
Tennessee Coal & Iron company that
he had decided TO interpose no objec,
ton
Indeed, he apparently stood ready
to perform similar kindly Offices for
all corporations. for the advocated the
passage of a statute permitting volun,
! tary submission of all engaged in in.
! terstate commerce TO federal authority
with the advantage TO them of immun
! ity from prosecution because of con
tracts made if stamped IN advance
with executive approval as reasonable
THE view of executive duty which
these acts suggest is Numerically op
posite to that of that sterling democrat
President Jackson, who wrote, the
laws of the United States must be ex
ecuted. | have no discretionary power
on the subject; my duty is emphatic
ally pronounced in the constitution
THE effect of these and similar acts
in the circumstances induced the re
suit which Senator La Toilette refer
red to in a recent speech in these
words: When Roosevelt became pres
ident the total amount of the stock anG
bond issues of all combinations ant
trusts, including the railways then il
combination, was only $3,7S4 900 900
When he turned the country over tC
Taft. whom he elected as his success
sor, the total capitalization of the
trusts and combinations amounted t
the enormous sum of $31 ,672, 900, 600
more than 20 per cent of which was
water
Whatever of excuse may be offered
the ugly truth is that the republican
national machine has received the mon
eys of the corporate and individual
beneficiaries of the tariff and combina
tons and in return has compelled con
gress to keep high the tariff rates and
its attorney generals to close theil
eyes to violations of law. Need we
seek further evidence than the admis
sion of President Taft?
"He said at Cincinnati, Sept. 81
1910: The country is reused agains
the corporate or corrupt control of leg
islative agencies If, however, there