The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-30
NOT THE RICH MEN, BUT THE RICH
BOSSES.

Mr. T. A. Richardson, the well-inform-
ed special correspondent at Washington
of the Baltimore Sun. sends his paper
the following very striking dispatch:
THE steady. rapid and alarming de-
velopment of plutocracy in the absolute
control of the legislation OF this Govern
ment, as set forth in The Sun of to-day
is making itself manifest TO many under
standings night or two since In one
of the private dinng-rOoms OF an uptown
restaurant there sat three men. one q
Confederate brigadier. who won the
brightest fame 10y his chivalry and daring
in the war; a man Of thought and ac-
ton, but who has never entered public
life. The second. veteran journalist OF
ripe experience and the most careful
observation. The third, a United States
senator long one of the best-known men
at Washington, whose personal impress
is marked upon all the reconstruction"
legislation designed, as was said, 10 carry
into effect and perpetuate the logical
results OF the issues upon which the war
was fought
me soldier and the Journalist had
been engaged in an earnest discussion
or the civil war; it's momentuous conse-
quences, and the social and political con-
ditions of the present time The senator
broke in and, with solemn voice and
men, said: Both our great wars were
Ihlures. we have nothing left to-day Of
lhe great principles and popular rights
Tor which our forefathers fought a hun
dred years back. and for which we fought
a generation ago-nothing. Our country
us destinies, its legislation State and
national, are all in the hands of az
gregated and combined wealth with
no other object in view than the increase
OF its own possessions and the more COM
plete ensavement Of the people. What
is the condition to-day of the descend
ants of the heroes and statesmen who
made our Revolution success? What
is the condition Of the great soldiers who
carried the star-spangled banner TO vie
tory thirty years ago--of their wives.
widows and children? How many of them
are rich? How many of them have profit
ed by the class legislation? Not one that
l know Of. They are happy If they can
manage 10 secure pitiable allow ance of
one kind or another from the Govern
ment which owes them so much l have
In this last winter Vainly sought upon
several occasions TO obtain even so hum
bic position as charwoman for ladies
OF high breeding and refinement, the
names Of whose ancestors appear as
signers to the Declaration Of Indepen-
dence. Who, i say, are the people who
have been and are amassing millions by
traffic in legislation. who run everything?
What services have they given to the
country, either i'm the field or the forum?
Are they soldiers. or are they states
men? They. like their ancestors, If they
had any. or their prototypes in all the
period OF our country's history. whether
I'm war or in peace. have never lost sight
OF the one purpose which actuates them
10 fasten like teaches upon the industry
and labor OF the people. They have tbs in
their remorseless grip. and that grip
Will be drawn tighter and tighter. unless
the energy OF desperation breaks II loose
AS the Senator warmed up with his theme
he adverted by name to more than ore
OF hts legislative associates as part
and parcel OF this combine OF wealth, and
in such terms as will not now be made
public in this connection"
This senator has described the disease
from which we suffer. with great force
and clearness. But. in common with
many others, he has mistaken the source