Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1874-06-12
WHO GOVERNS.

AID, tEat paper says tnat PIac'ieai'y 'ne
popular will does not control the Govern
ment OF the country, but that the latter
is "already an actual oligarchy OF lobby
ism and jobbers, and not a democratic
republic" Is this true or notf If it be
the fact, the celebration of the hundredth
anniversary OF the National Independence
will afford but little cause for congratu-
lation. II il is not true, why should q
great public journal of the standing and
circulation Of the New York Herald
make so bold an1 so positive an asser-
ton? What shall be the test of its truth
or falsity? We can think Of no other
than the results of the law-making
branch of the Government as they ap-
pear on the statute books. Ii the laws
as they there stand are in the interests
of the people then We should conclude
the governing power remained with
them. If, on the other hand, the written
rules of action fostered class interests,
monopoiies, combinations and moneyed
corporations, to the oppression and rob-
berry OF the people, then is the Govern
ment controlled by the oligarchy
the Herald speaks of, and the
sceptre of soveignty has slipped from
the hands of the people. We fear that
whoever makes this inspection of the
fruits as well of the National Legislative
deliberations as Of most of the States,
will, if that search is impartially
conducted, make reply that would
sound very disagreeably to the ears Of
most of our citizens. Begin with Con-
gress, with its North Pacific, Central
Pacific, Union Pacific and other rail-
road acts, with their enormous grants
and wanton waste of the national
resources. Are they in the interest of
the people, or of this "oligarchy?"
Which influence is the most powerful in
Congress, that of the banking, the rail-
road, the contract, the postal, the Indi-
an and the lobby generally, or that Of
the people at large? Why, pig iron and
the railroads can beat the latter all hol-
low, and when the others are added the
"olisarchy" becomes impregnable, and
the people are asked what they are CO.
ing to do about it?" II this is not the
case, why is it that Luttrell has failed to
cause the books of the Contract and FL
nance Company to be made public. The
people asked for it, and if there were
nothing wrong, the exposure could do
no harm, but the 'oligarohy" was too
strong, and the people are left to help
themselves if they can. II you turn to
the several States the same thing is
found. A triumphant oligarchy and a
helpless, bewildered people. What is
the remedy for this? The government
theoretically, at any rate, is in the peo-
pies hands; the power is still all their
own. Why do not they exercise it, and
that so prudently that they are not the
sufferers from their own proceedings.
The answer is ready enough, because
their representatives., their servants are
uniaithful. Take the average legislator,
and what does he do? He makes his
term Of Office the procreant means o
large and easily won gains. He goel
forth worth less than nothing, and comes
back sucking millionaire. Before ht
was a legislator he scarcely owned the
coat on his back; afterwards he owns
acres by the thousand, houses, stock:
and bonds, and what not beside. How
does he do this? By the simplest pro
cess in the world. By becoming an ami
mated ambulatory lie, by perjuring him
self, by becoming an unfaithful steward,
and legislatipg for the "oligarchy'' in
stead OF the people. That is how it il
done, and that is how that Congress
shuts the door in the face of the inquir
ing people of California. Who then gov
ems, the "oligarchy of the iobber ant
lobby" or the people?