The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-04-13
DEFENSE OF BUSINESS MEN.
Reply to the Abuse Bcaped Upon
Them by Indinna's senior Senator.
Senator Hills Late Speech.


l listened the other day with considerable
interest to the distinguished Senator from
Indiana in his fierce denunciationS of the
people in this country who have been for
tunate enough to accumulate competence.
lie nearly exhausted the vocabulary of
abuse in the .anathemas which he hurled
against them. He rebuked their narrow
and corro0mg selfishness' their danger
Gus pretensiOns and intolerable AFRO
gance;' he described their brutal dicta-
ton" he uDpraided their unjust relen1-
less, unsparing and insolent conduct he
pictured their wealth as the 'illegitimate
offspring of governmental paternalisrn"
and characterized them as without graft
tude or love of country; he imputed TO
them an intention and willingness TO COM
the convict stripes of the penitentiary are
the only punishment" and then, having
suinmarily adjudged them guilty. without
associates for thieves, houSebreaker5, fOrg-
ers and cutthroats," and. not satisfied with
upon them, and Notwithstanding his we'll
known amiable and forgiving disposition
with one fell swoop he consigned them ali
he calmly and seriously said TO US II am
loath TO say these things" He need not
have given us that assurance; of course
we all kcenly realized il. We knew with
what reluctance he assumed his unDlea ga at
task and with what lack OF eagerness he
embraced the afforded opportunity. Mr.
President, these violent and unseemly de-
nrncia tions-these arguments, if they can
be dignlfied Such-I.,ay answer for the
MUSINGS Oh INDIANA, but / regret To hear
them in the Senate of the United States.
Notwithstanding this terrible arraign-
ment or the men of wealth, 10 which I
have briefly alluded, / venture 10 speak a
few words in their defense. l speak more
especially OF the men OF means in my own
State. / cannot, OF course, SDeak for fNoSa
OF Indiana-they may be all that they arr
painted by the senior Senator from tnat
state. While, however, | doubt that fact
q have such respect for him and his state
mems that / cannot safely contradict MIN
The mea of wealth in New York as a
general rule are among our best most es-
teemed and reputable citizens. They are
not the vile rascals they have been de-
picted, and their riches have not been ac-
quired by questionable means, government
al favors, usury nor extortIon. some IN
herited their wealth from honorable an
cestors. others obtained it by fortunate in
vestments. others by great business abil-
ity, tremendous industry and remarkable
sagacity. They have largely contributed
to the greatness and glory OF the State
building uD it's industries, augmenting its
commercial supremacy, sustaining its
finances, and assisting its great and varied
undertakings.
The strong and solid financial institutions
which they control. the great life and FIRE
insurance companies which they manage,
the admira bic ioan and trust associations
which they direct. the magnificent lines OF
railroads which they operate, not only In
New York but elsewhere: the splendid
manufactures which they conduct where
in tens o. thousands OF workingmen and
immense shipping interests which they rep
resent, the tremendous wholesale and re-
tail establishments of trade which they
maintain. and the hundreds of other bust
ness enterprises OF vast magnitude which
they honorably and successfully manage
are the evidences OF their ability their
genius. their prudence and their integrity
The institutions OF learning which they