The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-12-15
Ole SutelllQtNcGr.
" Va. rECEMEEn ~, 1883



That money was used unlawiulIy IN
the late National election is beyond
question. No sane man doubts TINS
There are charges OF bribery and cor
ruption in every State, particularly tue
doubtful States. No party is entirely
guiluess. Public opinion is confused
BY the charges and countercharges, ana
while il knows the evil exists, it dots
not know just how much on either s'de
to believe. Legislation is proposed IN
Congress looking to u reform in the
election laws which promises to meet
the popular demand for remedy OF the
growing evil. Whether the laws s'ig-
gesLed will be effective or not remains
TO be seen, but for the honor OF tue
country it is hoped that they will be-
Any law that contemplatcs the Purlllca-
ton Of our system should be en-
couraged and receive the support
OF the people, No lasting effect can be
produced without an aggressive move
ment OF the masses, aCtingIn accordance
with an aroused mora! sentiment. No
effective reform can be brought about II
the peoples are corrupt, and it is Tor them
to say whether they shall lie under the
ban or not. Ii, shocked at the extent OF
crime in politics, they say crime must
cease, the politicians must obey. Only
the people can cxtirpate the national
evil growing out Of the use Of money in
elections.
in writing about the evil coutem'
porary says at is not less threatening
than the undue influence OF accump-
lated capital in all American affairs, TO
which it is akin, and over which the
Presidents recent message grieyed. But
the President, finding the revenue re-
form baby OF his administration stuffed
with sawdust, feared that the world is Il
mockcry; that our civilization is n fail
IRE, and that the American republic is
played out. Emcrson's theory is that
corruption is an invariablc acc0mts,, = l.
ment OF displays of power in human
affairs, that the republic is u mighty
oak, q type oi supreme vigor, neces'
slriIy sustaining as such mice, lice,
borerB and parasites, but great
powerful and hGalthful notwith
standing. The evils OF lane
where wealth uccumuiates and men de
cay, where aggregated capital lords il
over the individual citizen, until man
hoed disappears and the nation wallows
helplessly and hopelessly in corruption
are not to be attributed solely to its sys'
tenn OF import duties, and revenue re-
form will not protect the republic from
them. But while the condition otthe ma
ZION may be viewed philosophicaIly from
the European standpoint, instead OF
pessimistically from the Cleveland stand
point, aud while tba latter's view OF the
sources Of existing evils may be so linn
tied as 10 be misleading, the existence
Of some OF the hurtful tendencies to
which the President refers is I'M
questionable" The vast, growing and
injurious power of trusts, combinations
and monopolies confronts the American
people as condition, not theory.
There is foundation for the charge that
Corporations which should be the care
fully restrained creations OF the Law and
the servants Of the people are fast be-
coming the peoples masters" Plutocra-
cy threatens not only at election time,
but at all times. Free Trade or tariff
for revenue only will not correct this
evil tendency, but it exists, End to meet
and conQucrit is one OF the tasks which
are set to test the strength and manhood
Of the worlds greatest republic. The
modern Hercules among nations will not
accomplish the assigned labor OF con-
quering the money dragon in the manner
suggested by the message, but the task
must and will be performed.
Now that the Republicans are restored
topowcr, let them take this bull by the
horns aud conquer it.