Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-06-03
y. rnata Anx paneerk

patriotic men have thought and said:
The following extract from q recent
letter written By Hon. David DAVIS,
once a Judge OF the Supreme Court,
now Senator Of the United States, in
dica,es the serious nature OF the prob.
lem before us: q,
"Great corporations and consolidated
monopolies are fast ssizing the avenues
of power that lead to the control oil the
Government. 1t is an open secret that
they rule States through procured Leg
islatures and corrupted Courts; That
they are strong in Congress. and that
they are Inscriptions IN the use OF
means to conquer prejudice and acquire
influence. This condition OF things is
truly alarming, for unless 1t be changed
quickly and thoroughly, free institu-
tons are doomed to be subverted by an
oligarchy resting upon basis OF money
and Of corporate power"
The present Secretary OF the Treas
ury, Mr. Window, in q recent letter 10
the President OF the Autobiography
League, says:
"The channels OF thought and the
channels of commerce thus owned and
controlled by one man, or by few men
what ia to retain corporate power, or 70
fix limit to its exactions upon the peo-
pie? What is then to hinder these men
from depressing or initiating the value
of ali kinds of property to suit their
caprice or avarice, and thereby gather
ing into their own Golfers the wealth oil
the nation? Where is the limit to such
a power as this7 What shall be said OF
the spirit OF free people who will sub
nit without protest to be thus bound
hand and foot?"
Hon. Jeremiah s. Black, ex Judge OF
the Supreme Court and ex-Attorney.
General of the United States, recently
stated: =, -,
"All public men must take their side
ON this question. There can be no neu'
trails. He that is not for us is against
us. We must have legal protection
against these abuses. This agitation
once begun, and the magnitude OF the
grievance being understood, II Will force
our rulers to give us remedy against
il. The monOpolies will resist with all
their arts and influence, bnt fifty mil.
lions of people, in process OF time, VIII
learn the important fact that they are
fifty millions strong.
Governor Gray, OF Indiana, In mes
sage to the Legislature OF that state,
said:
"In my judgment the republic cannot
live long in the atmosphere which now
surrounds the ballot box. Moneyed
corporations, to secure favorable leglsla-
ton for themselves, are taking an active
part in elections by furnishing large
sums OF money to corrupt the voter and
purchase special privileges from the
Government. Ifmoney can control the
decision at the bal.ot.bOx il will not be
long until it can control its existence"
This ia in entire accordance with the
views OF Daniel Webster, who said:
"The freest government cannot long
endure, where the tendency OF the law
is to create a rapid accumulation OF
property in the hands OF few, and to
render the masses OF the people poor
and dependent"
The Press, with the exception OF that
portion which is owned or subsidized,
are with the people in this fight; The
New York Times Rep. under date oil
May 10, in an article regarding the en-
croachments Of corporate power, says:
sit is not only absorbing to itself the
fruits OF labor and the gains OF trade and
pilins up wealth in the hands OF the
lew, but it is controlling legislation and
endeavoring to sway the decisions OF
courss in its own interest. We are nov
at a stage in the contest where the peo-
ple NAV yindicate their authority and
place these corporations under the regu-
lation Of law"
The Brooklyn Daily Eogle (Dem.), in
a recent editorial said:
"Tnere is a pretty general feeling that
the Continent OF America was not dis
covered by Columbus, and civil liberty
established by the Fathers OF the Re.
public, to the end that fifty millions OF
people might be made tributary to a
band OF railroad magnates, or that farm
ers, artisans and merchants might, by
hard work and keen competition raise
M dozen Vanderbilts, with each sew.
eral hundred millions ofdollars. Those
who entertain this feeling have become
persuaded that the time has arrived for
the industrious masses OF this country
10 protect themselves, il they ever in.
lenu 10 uO 81. II Wiia iOh W
easier after the adversary has grown
stronger. In this contest every delay
is to the disadvantage Of the people
Let the issue be deferred for few years,
and nothing but a miracle or revolu-
ton as violent as that OF France will
overthrow the oppression. OF all mis-
leading decisions, there IS none more
mischievous than the notion that popu.
lar suffrage and popular power are syn.
onomous Given the means OF bribing
mu.titudes, OF Intimidating others. OF
wrecklng opponents, coupled with actual
possession OF the Government, and AL
verse sentiment must be paralyz'd. Ii
the suffrage is to be our salvation, 1t
must be applied sharply while there are
still odds on the side Of unbought and
unterrorized manhood"
A hGndred columns might be filled
with similar expressions from news
papers published in all parts OF the coun-
try and now on file in the Office OF the
National Autobiography League. Com
ment is needless. The public welfare
Is in danger, and the Influence OF every
patriotic citizen is invoked TO avert it.
Respectfully, &c,
l.. + CHIrTESDES,
prss', National Anti MONOPOLY League.