The Labor enquirer., 1883-03-17
A Reign OF, wealth.

simplicity; the individuals g industry ana
its rewards have created wealth and in
dependence, and until recently the ave-
nues to high official positions have been
open to theablest man, and his influence
there measured by his mind and not by
his money ; and the plain, democratic,
independent statesman has been the
boast and pride of his constituency.
The severe simplicity of Jedersons
life has been the pride of democratic
Americans, though it was the object of
detestation by the aristOcratic party
which he displaced. A president of the
United States, mounted upon his steed
and unattended, riding through the mud
of the infant capital to his inauguration,
savors of a grand independence, and
foretells an administration in which
brains shall rule. 1t is possible to yield
with becoming grace to physical or men
talsuperiority, even though it be exer-
cised on the side Of injustice and wrong,
but men are always restive when under
the domination of money without
brains.
The seat Of government at Washington
has become the resort of wealth and
spIendor, display and dissipation, that is
making the winter sessions Of Congress
a farce and disgrace. Receptions and
entertainments, feasts and folly, have
shaped legislation more than augment,
reason or logic. It is admitted that social
power, which means wealth and display,
is becoming supreme at the capital, and
that no man, unless he is able to in
fuence in his contemplate manner, has
a fair chance to rise by his merits.
Women lend the influence of their
charms and beauty to the base purpose
of political sCheming, and more effec-
tive lobby than the old has been formed
in the mansion and the banquet hall.
Writes the Washington correspondent
of the Boston Advertiser:
"a mans wife really counts for more
in Washington than he. Give him
money enough to keep up handsome
establishment and a wife who knows
how to entertain, and his position here
is secure. That is really what accounts
for the rows of elegant houses which are
filling the late pastures of the West
End. The men who want to lead here
have found that the surest path to their
goal is through7the portals OF a mansion.
A bureau officer wants to get
into the cabinet, and he gives little din
ner8; a senator aspires to be made an
ambassador, and his wife increases greatly
the scope Of her receptions; a gentleman
has a sou whose promotion in the navy
is slow, and he attends asSidiously to
haunting official receptions; young men
understanding the true inwardness of
affairs who are after something which |
affords the minimum of work and the
maximum Of pay find it to their advan-
IdSG W w oOCI6Gy' Auu yGG |
think that the wholesale criticism of
Washington women is unjust. They are
in an atmosphere which is redoIent of
Colitic8r its prizes are the brightest
hued fruit on the tree, and what wonder |
that they early learn to be adopts in !
wiles in behalf of their husbands and
sons. Is it strange that they smile upon
senators, who may, perhaps, some day
have to decide upon momentOuS quest
ions to them? 1t seems not"
Are such tendencies healthful? Are
thev not rather subversive of the princi-
pies of simplicity and mental supremacy
bv which we have become strong?
1t is estimated the present senate rep
resents $6OO,OO0,OOO. 1t is fast becoming
a patrician body, and recent elections of
senators have shown that the peoples
power has only been able to dispIace one
millionaire by substituting another Let
the people everywhere resolve to elect
to stay at home every man who attempts
to make a splendid spectacle, or fails to
make his influence felt by sheer force of
brains.-Cape Ann Bulletin.