We adverted last week to the possibility of a "corner,"
or monopoly, being established in corn. It appears that such a monopoly has been established in the Liverpool cotton market ; and has so alarmed the spinners, that they are taking desperate steps to reduce the demand, and thus compel the monopolists to hold on longer at great expense. A meeting was held in Manchester on Friday week, representing all the spinners in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cheshire, and Derbyshire, and it was resolved that it was expedient, if two-thirds of the spinners would consent, to go at once upon half-time. That measure, which will cause suffering in four counties, will, of course, fine the monopolists ; but if they are rich enough, it will not stop them. They need only raise prices a fraction more. Politicians should watch these "corners," for the temptation to establish them is great, the facilities for it are entirely novel, and men now over fifty may live to see a grand fight between Parliament and the capitalists. The English system of suspending the Bank Act prevents a " corner " in gold ; but what is to prevent the monopoly of any article in strong demand and of limited supply, we cannot see. Suppose, to take a small illustration, a Syndicate holds all the Turkey. rhubarb. There is no new supply, as far as the doctors know, even conceivable.
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