Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-11-07
NOW cRoKca RULES.

Richard Croker governs the city oil
New York. lie does not do II through
the SURFACES Of the people. Ills rule ].
not acquiesced In by the Intelligent and
virtuous citizens OF the metropolis. lie
Il not recognized officer OF the city.
Not q single ballot has been cast for him.
lie IL not responsible to the people
whose affairs he administers. lie can
not be punished for neglect or wrong
doing. Aud yet, In this republic, whose
officials are supposed to be the chosen
representatives OF the people, he Is u
potentate as much removed above the
reach of his subjects as an African chief.
lie rules by the consent OF an organized
band Of public enemies. He Is the I'm.
perator selected by the pretorian guard
OF law.breakers and their timld or as
senting accompllces, who, In ordinary
affairs, pass for good citizens. IL he
should become rs dangerous to lndlvld.
uals as Commodus, or as yirtuous rs
Pertlnax, he might not be physically re-
moved, but he would certainly be de-
posed. In the mean time he rules the
city. lie DEGREES who shall I'LL Its off,
ces, and how the functions OF Its gov
eminent shall be discharged. Although
he Il a private citizen, as head OF his
pretOrians he receives part OF the public
revenues, paid to him In various ways,
by assessments and subscriptions OF
those who carry on the details OF the
city government on his behalf, aud who
are protected by the police and the
"IIall" In their conduct Of business that
are not favored by the law.
Richard Cookers autocracy exists by
reason of the interests OF banded Vice.
II Il were not for the gambling houses
and pool rooms, the liquor shops with
side doors, the dens Of infamy where
youth Is debauched, Richard Croker
ould be impossible. But because 1t Is
for the interest of yiolatOrs of the law to
organize aud to control the city govern
ment, Richard Croker Is practically the
head of our police force, OF our District
Attorneys Office, OF our charities, and
our institutions Of correction. lie
whispers Into the ears of our judges, aud
they do his bidding. lie orders his men
at Albany to make q law, and they make
II. His power extends to Washington,
and one who knows what Croker wants
with respect to pending Federal leglsla-
tlOn can tell how q majority OF the city's
Congressional delegation will vote. Ills
power IL such that II he desires he may
tax corporations out OF existence, be-
stow franchise upon his fayOrites, with
hold the law from the criminal, and pur-
sue the innocent with merciless malig-
nifty.
Ii may be said that there Is no proof
that he Il guilty Of such wrong doing.
The sufficient answer IL that he has the
power, and that he owes the power to an
organization many Of whose members
are deeply interested In violating or nj
least In avoiding, the law. The ticket
which Il now before the people OF this
city, misnamed Democratic, Is filled with
the names of men selected for Office by
Richard Croker. when they are elected,
the officers of this city and county
executive, administrative, and judicial
will be Richard Cookers Obedient slaves
That one OF them who dlsobeys III:
slightest within will lose his political
existence.
Aud yet this vulgar, Ignorant, despotlc
autocrat may be dethrOncd II the good
people of New York will resOlutely AS
sert themselves. When they see nc to
rise up against this rule Of one man,
they will be able to re-establlsh their re-
publican form Of government.-Harper
Weekly.