The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-04-20

IT may be fortunate for the peace of this
country that its people are so prosperous
that even the most earnest efforts on the part
of the American House of Lords to introduce
anarchy will not unsettle it. But this golden
era will sometime have an end. The specta-
Gle presented with every administration Of a
band Of predatory senators placing them
selves against the people by stopping the
governmental machinery, and prostituting
its legitimate functions by al unseemly and
corrupt scramble for the control of patron
age, is fast placing the government in con-
tempt among the people, and causing loss
of confidence in republican institutions.
The United States is an oligarchy of the
most pronounced type, and the influence of
the people upon it is reduced to 9 mere mat
ter of public opinion, which has just as
much effect in Russia and Germany as here.
This oligarchy has grown gradually out of
the influence of the States in the Senate, and
has been carefully nurtured by the leaders in
the States for the perpetuation Of their pow
er, until the power Of the general govern
ment has been reduced to mere expression.
The present deadlock is apparently fight
between the two great parties for the control
Of few petty offices in the Senate, but only
apparently, for under the surface is the upas
of States Rights, which has for forty years
been the great disturbing cause in American
politics, and which has already resulted in
the bloodiest war Of the age, and which will
result in another If the senatorial power is
not broken by the government peaceably.
The spectacle Of the Conkling debating to
the government its functions and its policy
is humiliating, and when he is seen in league
with other state dictators in both parties, in
an attempt to force the government into sub
mission, it becomes disheartening. Popular
influence cannot affect it because popular in
huence cannot make itself felt.
Let US see how this thing is managed The
senator has numerous following which
swears unfaltering allegiance to him, in ev-
cry county, township and hamlet in the State.
The opposition has another of the same des-~
cription all are held together by q hunger
for Office. Little country newspapers are
planted by these leaders and kept alive by
their subsidies The leaders are in combin-
alton with railroad companies, mining COM
panies, and all the large corporations, who
furnish certain Of the sinews which are re-
quired to maintain this feudal organization.
Members of the Legislature are carefully Sc
ected who will favor the views and blindly
follow the leaders behests, and bind them
selves to serve the interests of property"
which usually means railroad stock, bonds
md other matters of like nature which the
people have generously donated. When they
ire selected, caucus is called, and members
elected to convention who will vote as they
Ire bid the voters in caucus are usually Civ
en their choice Of two; it will make no diff
ference which is elected, both being in the
service of their feudal lord, the senator. With
be people generally accorded choice be-
ween two packed members, they are left to
nominate one Of them. IT by some mis-
chance some one is nominated in opposition,
md goes to convention in favor of an indie
pendent candidate if the senator has not
hopeless majority which will admit of his ig