The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-09-13
The Republican Record.

The story of treachery, falsehood,
can't, hypocrisy and ingratitude ex-
posed by ex-senator Dorsey-himself a
frank, fearless, plucky MANS revolt
inc enough. But how Garfield and
Foster cheated John Sherman, who
himself cheats everybody he deals
with; how the Stalwarts were deceived;
how eX- Postmaster General James
played double, and how Garfield's
brief career as President was foul with
unclean intrigues, are matters OF con-
Germ only to the politicians.
What interests tie public is the evil
dence supplied by the ex-Secretary of
the Republican National Committee of
the use of money as corrupting pow
or in the election of President OF the
United States, in the formation of a
Cabinet and in appointments to the
Supreme Court bench.
Mr.. Dorsey reiterates what he has
before asserted, that 100000 was
spent to purchase the vote of Indiana
in 1880. that "a big campaign fund "
was the fundamentally by which New
York was secured by the Republicans;
that the position of Secretary of the
Treasury was sold in advance
to Levi P Morton, Chairman of
the campaign Finance Committee and
personally heavy subscriber, although
he was afterwards put off with the
French Mission; and that 100000 was
contributed by 1.-TWO of the greatest
monopolists in New York, Jay Gould
and C. 2. Huntington, in considera
ton of a pledge that STANLEY Matthews
should 90 at the earliest opportunity on
the Supreme Court bench"
What record does this make up for
the Republican party! A President
elected By the power of money. Cab
met offices sold in advance to million
aire banker who subscribed to and
raised the corruption fund. A seat on
the bench of the Supreme Court of the
United States bartered away to monop-
oliSts vitally interested in suits before
the Court, for 100000.
The uSe of money as a purchasing
power in elections is the great danger
now threatening republican govern
ment. A republican government means
the sovereignty of the pOpular will. An
election controlled by money is not an
election by the people. 1t puts in power
men who represent the mOnopolists and
corruptioniSts who have elected them
by unlawful and abhorrent methods.
Garfield was President, and his clos
est friend tells how he was made Pres
ident by the corrupt use of money.
Chester A Arthur is President, and
everybody knows that he managed
every detail of the New York campaign
in 1880. He persuaded Morton to give
money toward the election and to be-
come Chairman of the Finance Commit
tee which raised the great corruption
fund Arthur controlled the eXpendi-
ture of the money in this State. He
directed the course of the golden
stream from Stevenson's bank" He
was the head of the New York machine
the chu1n of the ward strikers
throughout the city. He enjoyed as
Vice-Preaident, he enjoys now as Presi-
dent, the fruits of the fund raised by
the sale of Cabinet offices and Supreme
Court Judgeships.
Stanley Matthey sits on the Supreme
Court bench. He owes his high office
10 money.
Was Woodpulp Miller elected by hon
est means as the choice of the people of
New York? Let the trial of the indicted
$40" Sessions, if it ever comes of,
furnish the reply. Palmer, Sabin, Fair,
Tabor, Bowen, Hill-were they chosen
for their ability, their representative
character, their experience in legisla-
ton, or are they Senators of the United
States because they purchased the offices
with their suddenly-acquired money?
This terrible evil of the purchasing
power of money in elections is felt to-
day in all offices, and, unfortunately, in
all parties. The question: How much
assessment can man afford to pay? is
now the important one in elections. No
one is thought of for office, in most
cases, unless he is rich enough to stand
the enormous expense of a campaign,
and, unfortunately, many do not resist
the temptation of doing all they can to
reimburse themselves after they get into
power.
Ex-senator Dorsey's disclosures may
be prompted 3y revenge or by indigna-
ton at the irgratitue of those he has
served; but he is entitled to credit for
having by his plain speaking pointed out
the evil and opened the eyes OF the people
to the methods of the party which has so
long held on to power.-N. Y. World.