The Subsistence Commission, which, under the Committee of Public Safety, drew up the law of September 29, believed firmly in laissez-faire. “In normal times,” said its spokesman, “prices are formed naturally by the reciprocal interests of buyers and sellers. This balance is infallible. It is useless for even the best government to interfere.” “But,” he continued, “when a general conspiracy of malignancy, perfidy and unparalleled fury joins together to break this natural equilibrium, to famish and despoil us, the welfare of the people becomes the highest rule.” The law, therefore, provided that
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