Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 March 1893 — Plutocracy a Real Menace. [ARTICLE]

Plutocracy a Real Menace.

We arc willing to admit that the election of Grover Cleveland checked the plutocratic tendencies which were threatening our system of government. But when Judge Gresham made the statement quoted it was painfully true. Who controlled the legislation of Congress during the first two years of Mr, Harrison's administration? The rich wool-growers of the West, the coal and iron barons of Pennsylvania, the pampered manufacturers of New England. Why did they so control legislation? Because they had paid large sums of money for the privilege. Why did Wanamaker hold a seat in the Cabinet? Because he contributed about $600,000 to Matt Quay’s corruption fund. The carpet manufacturers of Philadelphia declared in a published statement that they owned the tariff bill because they “had bought and paid for it” Who put $600,000 into the hands of the Republican committee in Rhode Island? The sugar-trust leaders, whose monopoly was made fast and firm by Senator Aldrich, who advanced the duty on refined sugar one-tenth of a cent per pound. • Plutocracy is “government by the rich.” The American Government was In the grip of selfish pnd protected interests during Mr. Harrison’s administration. Hair-splitting definitions by the avowed organ of the monopolies will not alter the fact that plutocracy had gained a foothold by the elevation of Reed and Lodge.

It has been routed, howelver, at all points, and the people restored to power. Judge Gresham and men like him helped to achieve this result. They are entitled to the thanks of the people and arc to be congratulated xipon incurring the enmity of the New York Sun.—Boston Republic.