l farmed out to individuals and monopolies; coal,
mentioned first, is still, to-day, the subject of our greatest
monopoly; while oil, mentioned fourth, is probably the subject of our
second greatest monopoly; and iron, mentioned seventh, is probably the
third. Conditions have not changed. The only reason we don't have salt
still a monopoly is on account of the numerous sources and processes
for obtaining it from mines and from the sea; Fugger, the John D.
Rockefeller of the sixteenth century (whose portrait in Munich
strongly resembles him), had a monopoly of the salt mines of all
Germany. The conditions have maintained themselves, even as to the
very articles. This grievance was first mooted in Parliament in 1571
by a Mr. Bell, "who was at once summoned before the Council." This
council was the King's Council, or Privy Council--a body roughly
corresponding to our United States Senate. He was summoned before the
council for objecting because coal, oil, salt, vinegar, starch, iron,
glass, were the subjects of monopoly; and he "returned to the House
with such an amazed countenance that it daunted all the rest." That is
very much the fate of the tariff reformer to-day, if we may credit the
tales of those returning from Washington.

After a lapse of twenty-six years the Commons ventured again. This
time the queen replied that she hoped her dutiful and loving subjects
would not take away her prerogative, which is the choicest flower
in her garden, but promised to examine all patents and abide the
touchstone of the law. Nevertheless, four years later the list of
articles subject to monopoly was so numerous that when it was read
over to the House in 1601 an indignant member exclaimed: "Is not bread
amongst them? Nay, if no remedy is found for these, bread will be
there before the next Parliament." The Populists openly cursed the
monopolies and declared that the prerogatives should not be suffered
to touch the old liberties of England. Seeing that resistance was no
longer politic, Elizabeth sent a message to the House saying that some
of these monopolies should be presently repealed, some superseded, and
none put in execution but such as should first have a trial according
to law for the good of the people; and Robert Cecil, the secretary,
added an assurance that all existing patents should be revoked and no
others granted for the future. The Commons waited upon the queen with
an address of thanks, to which she replied almost a