The convention was called by Governor
Knute Nelson, of Minnesota, who, In obedi
ence to a resolution passed by the legislature
of bh state, issued an Invitation to all the
states of the Union to take part and devise
means to abolish trustsand combines. Thirty
four states responded by appointing delegatee
and nearly that many states were represented
When the convention was called to order by
Governor Nelson, who read an address, in
which he gave a history of the anti-trust
movement in Minnesota, which had resulted
in the call for the convention. General Nel
«»n dissected the Sherman anti-trust law,
which, he said, was but an experimental one,
which had resulted in no practical good. The
law is weak, he said, because it does not de
fine the crime. ”What is needed,” said the
governor, “is a law which will enumerate the
nets of the trust which are illegal. It ought
to prescribe a short and simple form of in
| diriment. The legislatures of the various
states must be looked to for relief.”
The question of credentials occupied much
of the convention’s time. The committee on
permanent officers recommended Governor
Nelson as permanent chairman, Edward 8.
Nealy of Washington for secretary and J. E.
Morton of Kentucky for assistant secretary.
Ignatius Donnelly came into the conven
tion with a aeries of resolutions which he will
ask it to adopt as a declaration against trusts.
Governor Nelson listened to the various
resolutions which were introduced and re
ferred them to the committee without com
ment.
Davis of Minnesota submitted a resolution i
for the formation of a permanent association •
with three committee*. This Is the one that j
will probaldy be adopted.
Curtis of lowa read a resolution demand- i
Inga national investigation of trusts.
