Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-12-17
MILlIONAIRES IN POLITICS.
Carl schurz Thinks Their Influence
Is for EVIL.


In letter to gentleman in Boston
Carl Schurz says:
One of the most significant figures
IN the Public life OF our days is the mil
iionalre in Politics. His appearance is
10y no means Of evil under all circum.
stances. When men of wealth devote
their leisure and opportunity to the
study Of public questions. end avor to
qualify themselves for the discharge OF
public trust. and then seek oflicial po-
sltion for the purpose of employing
their abilities for the public benefit,
they may reuder very great service and
become blessing to the community.
The country has reason to congratu-
late itself upon the fact that so many
young men OF means and leasure have
of late shown Il disposition to give
their abilities and time to public mat.
ters in the right spirit.
But we find in politics millonares Of
another class who are Il curse. | mean
the rich men. who, without marked
qualifications for important positions.
and without having earned promotion
by useful and distinguished public SER
vice, seek high Office merely on the
strength of their money, either to use
its power for their own advantage or
to add the conspicuous hohors of high
political station TO their wealth. The
very appearance on the field of politics
of millonaires whose money is their
only, or ut least their principal title to
consideration is an element of corrup-
ton, for it means that in some way
somebody or something S to be bought
1t means the employment of the mil
lionalre's money to procure his election
TO the place he covets either through
the direct bribery of individuals or
through the bribery of political or
ganzation with campaign funds. 1t
can not mean anything else. In either
form it is corruption; in the latter form
corruption especially insiduous and de-
moralzing, because it is usually called
by a different name.
The consequences of the invasion of
public life by millionaircs of this class
are already disclosing themselves.
One seat after another IN the senate Of
the United States is falling into their
hands. In some cases the purchase is
n matter of notOriety. ! know Of no
recent occurrence more alarming than
the refusal of the senate 10 investigate
the charges OF corruption made by re-
spectacle parties with regard TO the
election of a millionaire senator from
Ohio. | have read the charges, as well
as the evidence upon which they arc
based; also the arguments made in the
senate against investigating them; and
| do not hesitate TO say that if charge.
of corruption in senatorial elections
based upon evidence creating SO strong
n presumption are thrown aside bv the
senate a not entitled TO an invcstiga-
ton upon reasoning so flimsy. there
W Ii toe, IL far rs the action OF the sem
ate itself Is concerned. nothing TO pre-
vent every seat in that body from being
acquired by some millionaire for him
self or his attorney. in the way of
downright purchase very th.niv dis
guised. | candidly ask YOU, can YOU
imagine anything more calculated TO
the moral standing and
authority. not only of the senate but Of
the whole governmcnt-ayc the sta.
bllity OF Our institutions generally
than the refusal of the highest lcgisla-
tive body in the republic to investigate
strongly supported charges concerning
the purchase of seats in it by rich men? /
The nomination of men whose only. |
Or whose principal. strength consists in /
the money they have to state governor /
,hips. winch this year, beginning with
Maine, shas become strikingly frequent,
: of the same character 1t means
corruption in some way. To express it
n the mildest language, it means that
lot uncommon abilities. not superior
publications not distinguished service
IN the part of the candidate. but the pos
session OF large funds by him il, in
ome way depended upon as the decis-
We influence 10 determine the action of
he party and of the voting body.