The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1894-10-12
Vhe 1eluurrat.
What Is Plutocraey

Plutocracy Is the rule Of wealth, as de.
mocracy is the rule of the people. A plu-
tocrat is man who seeks power or DIS
tinction through the use of money either in
Substituting party machines or ia corrupt
ing the legislatures or the suffrage OF the
people.
| Mr. Morton represents the plu,ocracy
which De Tocqueville foresaw and which
Bryce observed in this country, Hswouid
never have been thought of for the high oftiee
if he had not been rich maa, ready 10
''contribute liberally'' FOR the distinction.
He has never made a speech nor written
a line that has entitled him to such con-
sideration. He has never been Identified
with au9 reform. He has opposed no ring,
broken no machine. He has no, even been
a political manager, but ha; always been
himself managed. lie has been and Is
simply a respectable rich man whose
resrectability has been made cloak Tor
rings and whose riches have paid their own
advancement through the success OF his
party.
There have been worse p'utocrais than
Levi P Morton. There has never been Q
palmer example than,he affords of what .
plu,ocrat is. Contrast him with three
other rich men of our State and the dis,int-
tion Is clear.
Samuel Tilden was far richer man
than Mr. Morton is. But did anybody evel
think Of Ms Ti!den as one whose honor ane
dis;inction came % him through his
money? l, was the aeu,eness of his intel
lec,, the wealth ot hts knowledge. the stor'
of his experience, the soun3ness of hi
principles and the inc:siveness and vigor o
hls speech and writings that made him th'
natural leader of his party.
William C Whitney is rich man. III
has contributed of his wealth for the sup
port of his party. But Mr. Whitney wal
prominent in politics before ne had aceumu
lated money. He was an able lawyer and
an efficient Corporation Counsel. He has {
genius fer POLITICAL management evea on
bread field. He made one Of the bes
Secretaries of the navy tha, the country
has ever had. His ability, his character
his loyalty 20 friends, his talent both 70
speech and for silence, wo1ii make him
power ip politics IL he had no, a oilar il
the world.
Jacob s Fasse,t Is richer man than NJ
Morton, but thai fact ~ss not men,ione'
during his no, campagi fH e.ee;isn as
Governor nor in the resen, canvass for th'
nomination. He had showa an eptiiE3'
for public affairs as Senator an. al abilii.
in his profession and as a stamp orator
which gave him ample wsrran, for his an
bition.
Ii Is when money is substituted for st
ness, when Doodle takes the place Of brains
when campaign contributions excuse
pauci'y of ideas, when ofice is bought 70
! selfish or vsinglori,us ends, that plu'ocra
c. presents i'self and invites rebuke.
Mr. MoEton's pI.iforul has always beel
his cteck-book. His patron has Away
been boss. His reliance has always bser
a machine. His nomination by Pia;t wa
a insoient defiance of moral sentiment
none the les 20 because The boss no,
} WINS primarily Governor whom he CA
c)ntrol even mere tan candidate whom
be can bleed Shall Thomas c Plat. il
addition 10 bis absolute mastery of th
Republican machine in tnis city and Stat
and Of the Legislature IN bo'h brsnchs
whenever Republican, slsO own the Gov
ernor? Shall he add to his slready irc
! m.ndous functions the appointing power
the power to legisIals CT prevent Iegisls
ton and 10 veto reform. Do the people
do sef-respecting Republicans-wan
Platt supreme au ocTai?-N. Y. World