The advocate and Topeka tribune., 1893-08-23
POINTERS FOR CONGRESS.

press nh5 OOOUnO q pOWOI III Luo lhuu
and public and business men too often
accept what it daily gives out as facts
and news, while but few know that one
half Of all that it proclaims as such is Its
own invention or is manufactured by re-
porters and item gatherers of easy vir-
tue, who are put to it for something
sensational and startling, and therefore
resort to their own wits to satisfy the
public appetite and popular demand. Be
sides, it is we'll known that, with the ex-
ception of the New York Sun, Chicago
Times, and st. Louis Republic, there is
not one prominent daily journal in the
nation that is not owned and controlled
by the gold trust. Even the Kansas
City Times, which the people stRked
their faith upon, under it's present man
sgement has been swallowed by this
great devil fish, so that we are compelled
to abandon it and turn to the Republic
instead. The false statements Of the
gold trust are heralded through the ssso-
cisted press dispatches and lauded as
sound finance by the great metropolitan
journals; and this same gold power con-
trolls the press of Europe and wields the
scepter, no matter who wears the crown
1t is the same power that controls the
executive branches of the government
and enough members of congress hereto.
fore to prevent any legislation in the in
terest Of the people; as it rules the fiscal
power Of Germany, Austria, Great Brit
ain, and, in fact, all Europe. And now
what is it's character for fairness and in
tegrity? A distinguished New York edi-
tor, at q banquet Of the press association
in that city some time since, gave utter
snce to the following, in response to a
toast to the Independent Press"
"There is no such thing as an independ-
ent press in America, unless it may be in
the country towns. So far from that, we
are all slaves. There is not one of you who
dares express an honest opinion on many
questions. am paid $3.50 week for keep
ing honest opinions out of the paper l am
connected with. The man who would be
foolish enough to write an honest opinion
on many SUBJECTS we are called on to dis
cuss would soon be on the streets hunting a
Job. The business of New York journalist
is to distort the truth, TO perVert and Villify,
to faWn at the feet of Mammon, and to sell
his country and his race for his daily bread.
We are the tools and vassals of the fnsn-
oiers and syndicates behind the scenes. They
pull the strings and we dance. In word,
we are intellectual prostitutes, and it might
as we'll be confessed"
Great God, what confession! And
has that great engine of civilization come
to such a psssP II so, what hope is
there for the common people, "the plain
people," as Mr.. Lincoln used to denomi-
nate them, and what prospect for repub-
licsn government? Dark indeed.
And now to the subject of discussion
that we have at hand. / could not re-
frsin from putting you on your guard
against too easy acceptance Of the
plstitudes and proclamstions OF the press
confessedly guided by such motives and
swsyed by such loose principles OF
morality. l am reminded by distant
reader of my previous communications
that l ought to have stated in the be-
ginning two general principles affecting
money. or. rather, affected by money;