The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-22
: G E S A R I S M.
A Western Editor Gives His
Opinion.
THE PRESS AND THE PEOPLE TOO POWERFUL
Railroad Nonopolists the Great Dan.
ger Sherman Would-Be Cesar.
but Sheridan True Soldier.


Mr.. Joseph B. McCullagh editor OF the st. Louis
Democrat Q powerful administration organ, and
wen known In the West and at Washington during
former years a. Q newspaper correspondent, under
the nom de plume OF MACK, is now stopping at
tho Aston House on his way home from Saratoga.
\ 4 HERALD reporter sent his card to room los,
ana Mr.. McCullagh at once sent word back by the
waiter to show the visitor up. "Mack" is q small
Qtzed, closely-built gentleman with clean-shaven
Ace, blonde complexion and the general appear
ance Of dean in holy orders missionary
bishop. Alter the reporter had taken seat the
conversation at once began.
REPORTER-Mr. McCullagh, came here to have
talk with you in regard to the possibilities Of
THE ROOTS OF CAEsARIsM.
Ipresume you have seen the HERALD articles on
tine subject and the interviews with leading editors
and prominent citlzensP
! Mr.. MCCULLAGH-Yes, and have noticed that
the HERALD's editorials have generally been more
correct in their ideas than the interviews and
letters OF correspondence on the subject. The
great mistake seems to be in assuming that
General Grant wants to become Caesar. Buckle, in
his "History OF Civilization has the correct idea,
think. Neither Caesar nor Napoleon would have
been able to destroy the liberties Of the Roman or
public opinion in Italy and in France permitted
nay, demanded-the elevation of o Cesar. Whether
the public mind in this country is ready for
C9sarism yet remains to be seen. Idon't think
Nhat 1t is in Grants mind or will personally to
come o modern Caesar; but there are great many
men who want third term and have desire for o
strong government.
Grant has shown great ability in not doing
things; he has let matters 90 along and taken
them as they came. His administration, without
having any very warm admirers or many special
points for admiration, has been, in the main, sue
cessfu. Grant has suffered good deal from nat
terers who have told him that he is second Wash
tngton but he never believed il, and perhaps he
would rather be first Grant than q second Wash
'hgton.
"wHAT DO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE wANT?'
REPORTER-Do you believe there is any considera-
BILE number OF the American people who desire q
Cesar
Mr.. MCCULLAGH-I think there is. and will give
one Illustration. The railroad interests Of the West
are afraid of the people. The Farmers oranges
have frightened them into fear OF Communism
and made them believe that the government is not
strong enough. Every dollar Of railroad stock in
the States where oranges exist represents the idea
OF Its owners that the government is too weak, and
- capitalists love their money better than their
country or its institutions they look for somebody
shat win lay strong hand on the people ana give
them security that their property shall not be de-
Stroyed. This may mean empire or 1t may mean
monarchy; but 1t means q stronger government
than at present exists. know man who repre-
sents several millions of dollars in two of the
wealthicst railroad corporations of the West, which
that every dollar in both OF these companies is In
favor OF what he calls ga strong government l
srons sna ne ne repea
anything tnat would put down the Com.
an5 the Of
railroad magnates was held in New York city some
time ago TO arrange the timetables ana tariffs
After those present had transacted their official
business the subject OF the farmers movement in
the West was informally discussed, and it gen.
States would prove inimcai to railroad property
and that the railroads must look to the general
RRpoRTER-What action do You think the ONCE
holders would take were an attempt made to con-
fer the purple upon Grant,
THE RAILROAD CoNsPIRAroR KINGS.
Mr.. MCCULLAGH-I think the HERALD makes
mistake In attributing paramount influence to the
/. can name single railroad that can control more
Votes in the West and ''set up'' more conventions
than any ofice.holder west OF the Aneghanies.
Grants administration is not strong in It's office
holders-in TACT its ofce-holders are, as q class,
senator peano is made up OHM s1 Without potca
influence at their homes or elsewhere. They are
al good men. but Delano Is the only politician
among them. railroad 100 miles long, running
through any Of the western States can bring to
bear more influence in State Convention than
any member Of General Grants Cabinet
INFLUENCE IN GETTING VOTES.
REroRTER-What foundation have you for making
Mr.. MCCULLAGH-why, because they spend more
money and have more men in their employment,
and they will use the money il necessary to protect
themselves and their property Take for instance,
the Chicago and Alton Railroad running from st.
Louis to Chicago In the best part of Illinois, with
? perhaps nifty stations between these two points
and employing q number Of men vastly greater
than all the .postmasters and revenue agents in
Illinois. II not in the West
REPORTER-DO those men believe that the pro-
lection Of their property involves the destruction
Mr. MCCULLAGH-They believe that any form OF
popular government which allows farmers oranges
TO elect judges and state officers is not strong
enough to protect them in their rights, and they
demand any form OF government which Will secure
their dividends and Keep their stocks at par.
whose moneyed interests would urge it to seek to
aid In subversion Of the Republic
that railroad men, or any other class OF capitalists
desire the subverson Of the Republic; but govern
ment bondholders must naturally be as tlmid on
classes living on incomes derived from invest
ments. and what affects the one win affect the
the government bondholders will take the alarm
and both win unite in the common cause.
''GO WEST FOR NEWS"
REPoRTER-Do you understand the interests of
the railroad stockholders and those Of the far-
20 be of wrong
fully, 1t Is 80 understood by the farmers OF the
West and during the past year feeling OF hostility
TO railroads has grown up in the States west OF
Indiana which needs only first class leader to fan
IL into positive aggression. man cannot be
elected constable In the State of Illinois TO-DAY
without first proving that he does not own dollar
OF STOCK In railroad OF any kind and that he Is not
In the employment OF q railroad company; and II
the present spirit prevails until next Fall every
Congressman elected west OF Indiana, excluding
the large cites will have to pledge himself in adj
vance TO opposition against the great railroad in
terests.
''THE LORDS AND COMMONS"
REPORTER-If this be so, Mr.. McCulagh, of what
interest would 1t then be for the railroad men to
appeal to the general government
MI observation-disclosures their idea Of "a strong
government" means permanent President and q
permanent senate They want the Crown and the
House OF Lords, and they don't care what is done
in the House of Commons.