ndividual. That proposition is one that we can be perfectly clear about. The question presents itself either as a legal or a moral one, involving the right to go in and take advantage of contracts under the law to create a monopoly. If you have now any additional facts that you would like to submit, we will attach them to your evidence. Mr. PERRIN. An additional consideration that has occurred to me is this, whether our thoughtful public men, engrossed as they are in the all-absorbing topics of current legislation, were sufficiently well aware of the necessity for and importance of the protection of the people against monopoly all over this country. I entertain a well-grounded apprehension on that point, and my reason for it is, that as a class our public men have never done anything nor sought to bring forth anything in the way of remedial measures. My conclusion invariably has been that they could have no adequate knowledge of the wrongs which have been and are daily inflicted upon the people of the country from this cause. The CHAIRMAN. I have maintained that public opinion requires that monopolies in the form of special privileges to individuals should be discouraged, and every individual given an equal chance before the law. I feel sure that that opinion will be advanced by this committee in their report. The things of which you specially complain are not, however, such as pertain to our own sphere of action. They are reserved for correction to the several States, and if I were a member of a State legislature, and such a condition of things existed in the State, I would devote myself as far as I could to their rectification. Mr. RICE. Mr. Hewitt and myself both express ourselves in favor of a certain supervision of the railroads by the national government; that is, so far as the Constitution permits it. But what you need is to have such a supervision by your own State government at home. It is not within our province to afford you that help. We have not the power to do it. [NOTE.-Certain statistics produced by Mr. Perrin showing the volume of the oil business were ordered to be here appended. They show the amount of the business on the ground (the crude production), amount of the oil exported, average prices of crude and refined through the year, &c., as follows:] PRODUCTION. Daily average production each month for the following years. Total stock of crude in the oil-producing fields of Pennsylvania at the close of each month in the following years. Statement showing the exports from the United States of mineral oils during the fiscal years ended June 30, 1862, to 1878, inclusive. [From Bureau of Statistics, Washington, D. C.] 193, 206 15, 140, 183 1,816, 682 262, 441, 844 55, 401, 132 1, 601, 065 497, 540 76, 110 317, 355 The statement was not fully reported in the collector's returns, not being among enumerated, Quantities and values of petroleum and its products exported, and average price per gallon of refined petroleum. 1860 PRIMARY MARKET. Monthly range and average price of crude, creek, and river deliveries (F. O. B.), in the following years: January. February. March. April. 1, 850 @ 2, 000 (1, 800 @ 1, 800 1, 250 @ 1, 275 1, 000 @ 1, 200 1,000 a 1, 000 900 w 1,000 1561 100 100 100 100 100 100 50 50 50 50 50 825 a 900 750 a 750 50 625 700 500 2, 000 @ 2, 000 2,000 a 2,000 600 300 $20 00 450 | 200 350 9 60 25 20 20 10 10 10 10 T 10 10 49 1865. 700 800 500 700 500 700 825 500 625 500 525 400 525 425 925 675 950 650 800 500 800 6 18 |