New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-28
MONEY IN PUBLIC LIFE.

10 was the faShlon noO lunS dSO w say hiuOh
about the enormous influence Of rich men in
poitics Certain agitators here, and some for
eigu observers, believed that the very founda-
tons Of the Republic were being undermined
By the political influence of millionaires. Men
Of large wealth were elected 10 the House of
REPRESENTATIVES, and much greater number TO
the Senate, il was said. and two or three were
even candidates for the Presidency, and some
people imagined that the Dollar had indeed
become Almighty.
But he who clears his mind Of can't will per
ceive, first, that no man Of even moderate
wealth has been elected President since the
Republican party came into being, period OF
more than thirty years. unless Mr. Buchanan
could be so ranked. With the exception OF
Mr.. Tilden, also Democratic candidate, no
rich man has even been nominated by either
party for more than generation. The pubic
servants next in rank who are elected by the
people are the members Of the House Of Repre-
sentatiyes, and in that body a few men Of large
wealth are usually found. But the number is
always relatively insignifcant-half dozen,
perhaps, out Of S25, or less than one in fifty.
Nor will any man who is familiar with leglS
lative history during the last thirty years affirm
that in a single instance one of these men OF
wealth has attained a measure Of influence to
which his abilities did not entitle him. Cen
eral Butler was not a ruler of the House, and
he would have had more influence in it il he had
not been rich. Mr.. Scott, of Pennsylvania, and
Mr.. Phelps, OF New-Jersey, are perhaps tho
richest Representatives Of the two parties in
the present Congress, and each is man OF such
force that ne would have gained unusual iniiu-
ence without wealth, but neither has been tho
leader of his party. AS to these or any other
Representatives Of exceptional wealth during
the last thirty years it may be seriously ques-
toned whether the influence naturally due to
personal qualities has not been lessened by
their wealth.
Senators are not chosen by the people, but
by the members of State Legislatures, who are
not always proof against either the natural and
Legitimate or the Improper use Of wealth. Inc
help which a rich man can give during the
progress Of canvass, by which many a can
didate for the Legislature Is enabled to pull
through, with or without any definite PROMISE
gives the helper some influence with the sue
cessful candidate. Social, business and news-
paper influences all play their part in some
Senatorial contests, and with respect to these
the man Of large resources usually has an adj
vantage. But there are men of great wealth
In every State, and it is nevertheless com
parativeIy rare thing that the richest wins the
seat in the Senate. Less than half the present
members of the Senate would be accounted
rich; fewer still owe their position to their
wealth. Finally, even in the Senate tho mem
bers who have the biggest bank accounts and
estates are not as u rule the most influential
in either party Yet in an age when business
questions occupy most Of the time Of the legis-
lators. il might naturally be inferred that the
men who had demonstrated the business ability
10 attain large wealth would assuredly rank
among the foremost.
The truth which careful scrutiny will re-
veal is that, at least within the last thirty years
the possession Of large wealth has been great
hindrance TO political influence and preferment,
and not help. The jealous feeling of con-
siderable number Of voters almost invariably
renders rich candidate harder to elect than
poor one; the practical knowledge Of the fact
by politicians renders such man harder TO
nominate. Even when the man of large wealth
obtains q post of honor, others Of smaller means
but larger political or legislative experience
almost invariably command greater influence,
and do far more to sway the course Of parties,
of legislative bodies and Of administrations.
1t may be doubted whether there is any other
country in the world in which wealth Of itself
confers less OF political power than in tho
United States.