Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-07-20
What Are You Going TO Do About

There were "bosses" before Tweed. Of
savory memory, but his operations were
gigantic and his impudence so colossal
that he came to be the "boss" pre-emi
uent, and until Tilden got upon
his trail and hunted him down
with the persistence of the sleuthhound,
the ''boss" defied criticism and inquiry in
his famous question, what are you go
ing to do about it ?" Tweed is dead, but
his example begat host OF minor
Tweeds, and his tactics have been
adopted by the Radical party, compared
with whose corruption and brazen impu-
dence Tweeds were Insignificant.
Hubbell levies his shameless exactions
upon the best and poorest paid of his
party's dependents. and, when rebuked
by the decent men and journals of his
party, grimly demands; "What are you
going to do about it,"
Robson cracks his whip, his ascot
ates fall in line and back him up in his
latest steal. When this all-but convicted
robber and confessed jobber is reminded
of his former roguery and of his con-
templated dishonesty, he blandly smiles
at his denouncers and inquiries, with
shameless efrontery; "What are you go.
ing to do about it?"
The giant corporations that have COB
bled the public domain by the consent
of the dominant party, under contracts
that have not been fulfilled, when asked
to disgOrge, placidly inquire, "What are
you going to do about it ?"
The protected "barons, who have
grown rich at the expense of the masses
through the special legislation styled the
tariff, when asked to relinquish some of
their Ubiquitous profits, reply through
their organs and champions in Congress,
"What are you going to do about it ?"
The people, weary of the prostitution
of the public service to the ends of party.
demand that office holders shall attend
strictly to their duties. The reply is:
"What are you going to do about it2"
The President, made such by the act
OF an assassin, holds himself free to cut
loose from the policy of his predecessor
aud thus offends the great mass of voters.
Yet, protests and criticism go unheeded,
and the Executive in his acts and the
utterances of his iutimates merely in
quires: "What are you going to do
about it2'
Cameron, who for years has controlled
the destinies of Pennsylvania, set up a
slate for its acceptance, and, when re-
monstrated with. insolently inquired
What are going to do about it?@ Much
to his chagriu and alarm the reply came
in determined revolt, which threatens
to deprive him of his power.
Here Is an example worthy of emula-
ton. The people have it in their power
to remove these abuses, purify the gov
eminent and restore it to its former SIM
plicity aud honesty.
Now is the time, and the signs are
many that the work has begun. The
warnings so often sounded are beginning
to be heard. The dangers threatened
from the privileged classes that have
been created by Radical corruption and
subserviency are beginning to be per.
ceived. The perils with which the Re
public Is menaced by Radical supremacy
are being recognized.
The insOlence and roguery of Radical
ism can be rebuked. The government
can be purified, and the Republic made
what it once was. 1t needs but a united
effort on the part Of the people to accom-
plish the work. The time has come to
ask themselves, "'What are we going to dc
about it, There is but one answer II
should be prompt and unmistakable.