LECTURES AND ESSAYS. 489 



monopolize the cattle markets of the country. I heartily indorse what I 

 believe embodies the true American spirit on this question, that the greatest 

 good to the greatest number can only be secured by the regulation, if not 

 the suppression, of monopolies. 



I quote from one of the most competent and candid authorities in this 

 country, C. C. Nourse, of Des Moines, Iowa, who, in a recent address on 

 this subject, said : 



" The present price of beef cattle is a matter of concern to every breeder 

 of fine stock. We cannot expect stock-raisers to expend money or have 

 money to expend in improving cattle so long as the business of raising stock 

 for consumption is unremunerative. When great capitalists in Chicago 

 inaugurated the dressed beef trade, the producers of the Northwest had 

 reason to believe that the producer would be permitted to share in the profit 

 made, by what would thereby be saved in transportation. The dressed-beef 

 trade has increased to an enormous extent, and the railroad companies have 

 recognized the propriety of adjusting their freights on dressed beef upon a 

 reasonably equitable basis. But the producer has seen the prices go lower 

 than ever. The testimony given before the congressional committee, recently 

 in session in the city of St. Louis, is to the effect that eastern consumers 

 are paying the same price for beef that they did when cattle in the Chicago 

 market commanded twenty-five to forty per cent more than they are now 

 bringing. The charge is made, and it would seem with too much reason, 

 that a syndicate of buyers and packers exists at Chicago that is controlling 

 the purchase of cattle and the sale of dressed beef, dictating absolutely what 

 the producers shall receive on the one hand and what the consumers shall 

 pay on the other. By the common law it was a crime to engross any com- 

 modity, especially any victuals, with intent to sell at an unreasonable price. 

 Mr. Bishop, in his standard work upon criminal law, after treating of this 

 crime, says : ' It is plain that he who uses the power which money or credit 

 gives him to play a prank like this upon the community is an enemy to the 

 race, and is as deserving of punishment as the thief or highway robber. 

 The combination of capital with a view to destroy competition and plunder 

 the public is the curse of the times. The farmers and producers of bread- 

 stuffs and meats are powerless in the hands of such combinations. The con- 

 sumer is in the same helpless condition. The law must deal with such com- 

 binations as with all other conspiracies against society and human rights." 



COMPETITION" OF SCRUBS. 



But let us look at another phase of this question. I appeal to the obser- 

 vation and experience of the practical cattle men before me to answer this 

 question. It is not true that every fall, say through November and Decem- 

 ber, a lot of thriftless farmers with poor stock, poor in flesh as well as in 

 breeding, push it upon the market at any price? The supply is large, the 

 demand small for that class of cattle, and they are sold for a tithe of what 

 it cost their owners to raise them. But mark you, they were "scrub" cattle 

 forced on the market when there was no demand. It always has been so. 

 It will be so for many years to come. Look at the other side. Is there a 

 man in this audience who has ever fed well bred or high grade Shorthorns, 

 put them in good shape, made a prime lot, who has ever failed to find a 

 ready market for them some time between February and June, at a price 



