Upholding of Sherman Antitrust Act from "summary" of Grover Cleveland by

The Sherman Antitrust Act, signed into law by President Grover Cleveland in 1890, was designed to prevent businesses from forming trusts or cartels that could potentially control large markets and drive up prices on consumers. It was the first federal law to regulate monopolies and restrain anti-competitive actions that hurt consumer welfare and reduced competition.

Under this legislation, it was illegal for companies to conspire in order to monopolize an industry, use predatory practices to gain a competitive advantage, or otherwise fix prices at excessive levels. The act further banned contracts or other arrangements between them that would lead to similar outcomes.

This law has been consistently upheld over the years, with its principles of promoting healthy competition and fair play enshrined in antitrust regulations both federally and in each of the states. Enforcement of these rules allows wide swaths of industries to remain open markets as well as providing additional benefits to workers and consumers alike.

Violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act can have a profound negative effect on the economy as a whole, leading to higher prices and fewer choices while reducing the quality of products and services throughout entire markets. Ensuring that these laws are enforced is a major responsibility taken on by state and federal governments alike.

Those found using unethical business tactics must face significant financial penalties due to their intentional disregard of antitrust laws, and those found guilty can also be subject to criminal charges and even jail time in extreme cases.