People's Pilot, Volume 2, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 June 1893 — TO DOWN THE TRUSTS. [ARTICLE]

TO DOWN THE TRUSTS.

Platform Adopted at the iril-tneMi* Convention la Chicago-Some Delegate* Favor Bore Radical Declaration* aa* Hold a Bolting Convention—'Their Action.

Chicago, June 7.— At the morning session of the Anti-Trust convention, further time was granted the commit: tee on resolutions in which to presen? its report. A stirring speech against combines and trusts was made by Gen. J. B. Weaver, of lowa. Shortly before 12 o’clock the committee reported a long series of resolutions, which in effect demanded a better execution of existing laws against trusts and all combinations of capital and the enactment of more stringent laws upon the same subject' That part of it containing the action against trusts recommended by the committee was, in part, as follows: ‘That It 1b the sense of this convention that the state and federal legislatures should enact new and more stringent laws and amend old ones looking to the complete extinction of unlawful combinations destroying competition In productions or exchange. “That the faithful and efficient execution of the laws be imperatively enjoined upon the executive officers of the state and nation, and that the failure of any officer to perform his duty In this behalf should be attended by the severest legal penalties: that we demand that the attorney general of the United States proceed to enforce the laws of the United States now oa the statute books against trusts and illegal combinations, and we demand that congress shall enact such additional laws against trusts and combinations that control production undprices of commodities as may be found necessary for their suppression

“That the over-capitalization of corporate property Is chiefly responsible far toe breaking down of credits and the financial distress that prevails In this country. We therefore recommend stringent national and state legislation and supervision to limit the bonding of corporate property and the issues of stocks representing same to actual values and no increase of bonds or stocks to existing corporations, whether public or private, shall be legal unless the same shall have been authorized by the national and state authorities. “That it is hereby recommended that each member of this convention use every honorable means in his power to secure the election to office, whether local, state or federal, of those only who are exponents of anti-trust sentiment, and in whose fearless determination to use their utmost endeavor to crush and exterminate all trusts and monopolies complete confidence can be had. “That this convention create .. permanent association, to be known as the Anti-Trust association of the United States, consisting of three representatives from each state and territory, and that we recommend the organization of an anti-trust association in each state and territory for the purpose of aiding in securing uniform legislation and the rigid execution of laws for the most speedy suppression and final eradication of such trusts and combinations.

“That two standing committees shall be appointed to act as executive branches of said national association as soon as the same is organized, that each of said committees shall be composed of one representative from each state and territory. The first of said committee to be known as the national committee on anti-trust legislation, and which shall have in charge the matter of federal legislation, and the second of said committees to be known as the committee on antitrust law .enforcement, which shall have in charge the duty of securing the prompt and efficient executions of all anti-trust and monopoly laws.” Toward the close of the meeting a resolution in favor of free silver was proposed by a Mr. Quinn, of Montana, and it was adopted amid enthusiastic applause. This platform was adopted at the afternoon session after a lengthy wrangle during which Ignatius Donnelly and Gen. Weaver endeavored to commit the convention to extreme measures in the agitation against trusts and combines. The convention refused to adopt Mr. Donnelly’s resolution calling for the purchase by the federal government of the anthracite coal fields of Pennsyl vania. The delegates scouted his second resolution, which declared that, as a last resort, members of trusts should be outlawed and their property escheated to the nation.

The convention adjourned sine die after conferring authority on Gov.. Nelson to call the committees together for action as soon as he deems it advisable. Gen. J. B. Weaver, of lowa, and Ignatius Donnelly, of Minnesota, marshaled the bolting faction of the antitrust congress into a parlor of the Palmer house Tuesday night for the purpose of holding a council of war and mapping out a campaign against their enemy, the monopolists. About forty delegates, representing ten states, were present. Gen. Weaver presided and Dr. S. McLallin, the editor of an antimonopoly newspaper in Kansas, was secretary. Seven long resolutions were adopted. These declared in substance that the United States government should confiscate all the anthracite coal fields of the country; the bituminous coal fields c should be seized; the railroad should be taken possession of by the national authorities; the monopolists should be compelled to restore to the people the freedom of their labor; a return to bimetallism, and the free coinage of both gold and silver should be made; that means should be provided for the sale by the government of coal to the people at the actual cost of production, and that congress be urged to seize the property of all trusts and combinations. A permanent committee of five was appointed, of which Mr. Donnelly was made chairman. It was named the national anti-trust committee, and will formulate a plan of organization to carry out the views expressed in the resolutions.