The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1892-09-29
SCHURZ ON THE SITUATION
AN ABLE LETTER BY THE GERMAN
AMERICAN STATESMAN.

cans and Protected Barons--A Estlma ate
of Cleveland.
New YORK, Sept. l8.-The Hon.
Charles Schurz has written q lengthy let
ter addressed to the Cleveland-Steven-
son clubs of Kings County and Alexan-
der Orr and other citizens OF Brooklyn,
giving his views on the present national
political situation. ar. Schurz was in
Vited by the clubs and citizens toex-
press his opinion in an address, but i'll
health prevented HIM from doing 80.
Referring to the use ofmoney in cleo
tons BIr. SChurZ says:
"Thcre always has been, and always
will be, som" money used in elections
for perfectly proper purposes. But
sums are spent in presidential and State
campaigns whi ;h generations ago would
have been thought fabulous. The elec-
ton OF some United States Senators by
some Legislatures occasion financial ar
engagements as large as those of starting
a big bank. In some Congressional dis
trlcts, and in some municipalities, tho
much Of this money is used for bribery;
that not few constituencies, not long
ago pure, are now thoroughly debauched,
and that the evil has been growing and
spreading from year to year, cannot he
denied. 1t has come to be that the rails
ing Of big sum tor use in elections is
officially recognized as high political
function deserving of signal recognition.
Look at the fiankness and gravity with
which party managers discuss statistics
OF purchasable votes and the meth DDS of
watching and buying f1oaters."
lie discusses the political aspect of the
Mckinley tariff and says:
''The Republican party is the champ
lon OF capitalists, deriving profit from
tariff duties protecting certain industries.
Capital invested IN these industries con-
stltutes a gigantic money power, depen-
dent for the magnitude of it's profits on
legislative tavors and, therefore, inter-
ested in influences and legislation for it's
own benefit. With this moneyed power
compaCted by common interest, the
Republican party has sort of tacit part
nership agreement, and not quite tacit
either, to the eiliect that the party of the
first part, the mOneyed power, is to do
all it can by way Of furnishing campaign
lunds TO be used IN national elections to
keep the party Of the second part, the
tepubllcan party, in possession of the
GoVernOrment, the party of the second
part, the Republican party, is in return
10 do all it can by way of tariff legisla-
ton to keep the party of the first part,
the money power, in enjoyment of large
financial profits, and the larger these
profits are the more able and more will
ling will be the party Of the first part,
the moneyed power, TO furnish the party
OF the second part, the Republican par
w, with big corruption fund for buying
the next election, expecting, of course,
Tor itself, again ample returns in the
shape OF still more protitably devised
tariff laws, and so on.''
He says it is true that the Republican
party tells US that the Mckinley tariff is
the closing Act, but, if the Republicans
are entrusted with full power, lore wili>
be asked for; more will be granted by the
Republican party, for more subsidy will
be needed TO keep the party in posses
sion OF power.
But even if the duties were not in
creased, the arrangement to preserve
those now existing would be substantial
~ the same.
AS to the Democratic party. l give
myself no illusions. 1t has its share of
hgh-minded, patriotic and able men,
and it has its bad elements. do not
overlook the dark spots IN its makeup.
IL has had lts period Of partnership. 1t
has its weakness rs party long out o.
power, little used to the active RESPONSE
bilities of government and accustomed
TO the feelings and ways of opposition.
Even thus 1t might be looked upon as a
convenient (pcrhaps as the only avail
able) club with which to beat down a
great iniquty. But it is now something
more than that. 1t has not only baA
cause TO fight against, but good cause
TO fight for, and it has a candidate who
represents its best tendencies.
II certainly do not pretend that Cleve-
land is the ideal man or the greatest
statesmen of all time. He, no doubt,
has his limitations; weaknesses and
shortcomings. But he possesses in an
uncommon measure those qualities
which arc especially desirable in u pub
lie servant charged with great responsi.
bilty.
OF the force bill he says: "The IN
evitable effect o. the enactment. OF the
iorce bill or anything like 1t would be
'iio ioNifui VI Clo ASdE vi ueHCO ueLuluu"
ton in the South and with it the violent
aud disastrous disturbance of the reln-
tons between the two races, which, 10
course Of time, had shaped themselves
in friendly manner, highly advantage"
Gus to the general prosperity.
In view Of all must confess that
whatever specious pretences may be
put forward as to the objects Of the
measure, look upon the force bill az
one Of the most reckless, most revolt
ing partisan contrivances ever devised.
1 know that the Republicans are
artiully discialming that the force bill
is an assure in this campaign. Harri-
son himself tries to evade it In his let
ter of acceptance by an adroitly soft
spoken recommendation of commission
of inquiry. But no we'll informed and
prudent man will be deceived. The Re-
publican platform substantially endorses
the measure.
Schurz closes with advice to his fellow
citiZpna to aunnort rioualon1)e oon1;