The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923, September 23, 1904, Page 3, Image 3
I'Vj0rn4W- 'jwy ' ' " SEPTEMBER 23, 1904 serious. As the Wall Street Journal says: "Even 1C Mr. Morgan had called upon President Roose velt and had a long interview with hliu, there would have been nothing in such an incident that would be open to criticism." Mr. Morgan in newspaper interviews has re peatedly said that he is supporting Mr. Roosevelt. No secret is made of the political alliance between the republican administration and the J. Pier pont Morgan interests. Why, "then, should any one criticise when Mr. Morgan confers with his favorite candidate for the presidency? Of course the fact that Mr. Morgan is sun- porting jlr. Roosevelt does not tend to reassure the American people, because Mr. Morgan is a very shrewd man and is not In the habit of giving his support to candidates upon whom he may not reasonably depend in the event of their election. JJJ Charming Candor In referring to the presidential campaigns of 1890 and 1900 the republican organs are becoming wonderfully candid these day. For instance, in a recent' issue of Harper's Weekly, it is said: Our present, practical diagnosis of the sit- uation is that the chief danger to the repub- lican ticket lies in the big campaign funds utilized successfully by Mr. Hanna in 1896 and - . 1900. Each year more than five millions of dollars were raised and expended. A good many of these dollars went, of course, for lit erature, clerical and oratorical expenses, etc., but a very fair percentage must have gone to "workers." There is no such direct vote-buying nowadays" as there was when Indiana was 'split up into blocks of Ave, but there is no doubt that many, many thousands of tried- and true citizens, who incidentally have the privi lege of voting, were paid pretty liberally for the time they gave to the service of the re publican management in 1896 and 1900. Now every politician is awake to the danger of suddenly withdrawing rations previously sup plied to this class of mercenaries. Resentment but mildly expresses their sentiment; revenge takes possession of their hearts, and is sup plemented by a very practical determination to "teach 'em a lesson." How large the class is this year can not be estimated with accuracy by one not in possession of the private records of the recent campaigns, but it is pretty big and it is confined within the borders of states where every vote counts. There are two reasons why we consider that in this condition lies the chief menace to republican prospects. One is that there exists no common peril making pos sible the raising of so great a fund, and the other is tbat Mr. Cortelyou would not know what to 'do with it if he had it. Moreover, we do honestly believe that both he and his chief would rather be beaten than profit by un worthy agencies. So there you are! Of course, this republican organ puts it very mildly when it says: "Each year more than five millions of dollars were raised and expended." We have 'It on the authority of Mr. Thomas WT Lawson, that eminent financier'who also boasts-of his devotion to the republican party, that in the republican campaign of 1896, within a few days of election, a "hurry-up calL was made lor $5, 000,000" and that the same was promptly con tributed. ,But it is more interesting to hear from a republican organ of the standing of Harper's Weekly, the confession that in 1896 and 1900 money was used so freely and so unscrupulously that the elements upon which the republican managers re lied to win became addicted to the bad habit of expecting money before their .enthusiasm is aroused. It is interesting to read in Harper's Weekly the confession that while a good many of these dollars went for literature, clerical and oratorical expenses, "a very fair percentage must have gone to 'workers.' " It is interesting to read in Harper's Weekly the plain admission that "many, many thousands of tried and true citizens who incidentally have the privilege of voting were paid pretty liberally for the time they gave in the service of the re publican management in 1896 and 1300." And then, referring to these "many, many thousands of tried and true citizens," Harper's Weekly points out that "now every politician Is awake to the danger of suddenly withdrawing ra tions previously supplied to this class of mercen aries." According to Harner's Weekly, "these tried and true citizens" are liable to show resentment and to be revenceful when they are not paid money for their influence and their votes! And after admitting the methods employed In The Commoner. 1896 and 1900, Harper's Weekly says: "Wo do honestly believe that both he (Cortelyou) and his chief (Roosevelt) would rather bo beaten than profit by unwdrthy agoncles." Harpor's WeoKly seems to pay a tributo to the republican candiuate and the republican leaders of 1U04 at the expense of the republican candidate and tho republican loaders of 1890 and 1900. Does Harper's Weekly mean to say that the republican caudidnto lor 1904 has a higher conception of politlcul honosty than tho republican candidate of 1890 and 19uU had? Does Harper's Weekly undertako to make it appoar that the methods that wore employed to the advantage of. the republican candldato in 1896 and 1900 were such "unworthy agoncles" that the republican candidate of 1904 would not tolerate them? "Are we so soon forgotten" that editors who professed such devotion to Mr. McKlnley now seek to advance Mr. Roosevelt's political fortunes by making It appear that Mr. Roosevelt would rather bo beaten than profit by tho 'unworthy agencies" which these republican editors say were employed to win republican victory in 1896 and 1900? JJJ "A Strange Tale" The Chicago Inter Ocean, republican, pretends to be very indignant and all bocause of "a strange tale that comes from Washington." According to this story, H. II. Rogers, tho trust magnate, recently visited Mr. Roosevelt and explained that the supreme court's decision in tho Northern Securities case had caused him and his associates "grave apprehension." According to this "strange tale" Mr. Rogers said that he heard the administration contemplated some action against the steel trust. He wanted to know wheth er Mr. Roosevelt had any such Intentions. The Chicago Inter Ocean tells tho story and comments upon It In this fashion: Then Mr. Rogers tried to convince the president that It was "Impracticable" for the United States Steel and other consolidations now to obey the law. Ho hoped the president would reconsider his determination, especially if he expected to succeed himself as president. The president answered that ho had not dis cretion, as ho must enforce tho law. "Then there will be war," Mr. Rogers is said to have oxclalmed, rising from his chair. "War or no war," answered Mr. Roosevelt, "tho law shall be no by-word." Such is the strange tale that comes from Washington a tale that would bo incredible were it not known that the man who asked the insulting question represented those who have on other occasions displayed a similar impropriety of conduct, and were it not known that the men who made the impudent threat have not hesitated In the past to attempt similar insolent dictation. We have but to remember tho famous Rockefeller telegram to tho senate. Attempts were made to shuffle off responsibility for that upon the folly of young Mr. Rockefeller, but whatever its source its arrogance was seen to be typical of the attitude of the men now said to nresume to threaten tho president of the United States. That these men should have presumed to ask that insulting question and to make that impudent threat is therefore by no means in credible. There Is one point, however, that these gentlemen would do well to remember. When they threaten war unless they can have immunity from the laws they threaten more than Theodore Roosevelt. They threaten, the president of the United States and through him they threaten tho whole American people. They would do well to remember what is the fate of those who callenge the American people to war. It is difficult to believe that the Inter Ocean is really as mad as it pretends to be. Even if this Washington story were true is it in the least surprising that these trust magnates who pro vided the republican party with an enormous cam paign fund in 1896 and again in 1900 should conceive the idea that they had a right to make demands upon the party that had won victory and victory upon trust funds? The American people must remember that these same men undertook to dictate to the vo?e?s of ?his country in 1896 and 1900. Then such publications as the Chicago Inter Ocean told us thSt these men represented the "business In terests" and that thoughtful men would be guided by their counsels. The Inter Ocean's "Strange Tale" will, how ever 'create many smiles. J. Plerpont Morgan H. H Rogers and their associates are not apt to 3 differ upon a question of politics. The Idea that Mr. Rogers Is seriously alarmed bccatiflo of any contemplated action against the steel trust I absurd when wo romember that J. Plerpont Mor gan has declared in favor of Mr. Rooaovolt' elec tion and that tho New York Sun and llarper'8 Weekly, both under Mr. Morgan's control, arc giving cordial support to Mr. RoohovcU. Only a few days ago, Mr. E. II. Harrlman, president of tho Union Pacific railroad announced: "It Is all going one way. No ono wants to put tho re publicans out." Is It not, then, Just as absurd for these re publican papers to undertako tov mako it appear that the trust magnates aro arrayed against Mr. Roosovclt as it Is for a republican organ to pre tend to bo indignant because a trust manipu lator Is said to have demandod at the hands of republican officeholders fulfillment of flic pledges, direct or Implied, inado to tho trusts when thoy provided tho republican party with its cairipaiga funds? JJJ Income and Outgo In lits letter of acceptance, Mr. Roosovclt naid: "As conclusively shown by the bulletins of tho burenu of labor, tho purchasing power of the aver age wage received by tho wagc-workor has grown faster than tho cost of living, and this in splto of the continual shortening of working hours." Tho wagc-worlcors of tho country aro doubt less prepared to toll Mr. Roosovolt that this Is ono case whero figures prevaricate. Tho worlsingmon and tho housewives need nc ponderous table of figures to know the facts in this connection. Tho average man today finds it extremely difficult to mako both ends moot. Wages have not generally Increased while tho cost of living has enormously increased. The trust system operates on the ono hand to keep down the wagc3 of the laborer and on tho other hand to put up tho cost of living. Tho experience of the post two years shows that the trust masnate is determined to take advantage of. every opportunity given him under republican administration. JJJ A Great Campaign Those who bellevo In the public ownership of railroads, in an income tax, In tho election of federal judges for a limited period, in the muni cipal ownership of public utilities, in tho election of senators by popular vote, in the public owner ship of the telegraph system, in tho battle against private monopolies, may aid In carrying on a great educational campaign on these lines by taking ad vantage of The Commoner's special subscription offer. According to the terms of this offer, vunfi each good for ono year's subscription to The Commoner, will be furnished in lots of five at tho rate of $3.00 per lot. This places tho yearly sub scription rate at 60 cents. Anyone ordering these cards may sell then for $1.00 each, thus earning a commission of $2.00 on each lot sold, or he may sell them at the cost price and find compensation In the fact that he has contributed to tho educational campaign. These cards may be paid for when ordered, or they may be ordered and remittance made after they have been sold. A coupon Is printed below for the convenience of those who desire to participate In this effort to increase Tho Com moner's circulation. THE COMAONER'S SPECIAL OFFER Application for Subicrlptlon Cardi 10 15 20 25 50 75 100 ublJsher Commoner; I am interested In d . ..i in, nmmntwr'i Hrrtilit1nr. unci on sire you to send mo a supply of subicrlptloo euros, i ngrec io use my 'juhusi. wiucnvut mn ti. oh rii n nnfl will remit for at toe rate! GO centa each, when sold. Box, or Street No M......., P.O. .State. Indicate tho nuirbcr or cards wanted by m ark IneXotHJOBlteoneof tho numbers printed on end ol this blank. Jf you believe the paper it doing a work that merits encouragemant, fill out the above coupon and matt it to The Commoner, Lincoln, Neb. 1 Al 1 n: .Ml i f r-lK O. fi 71"