Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1895-11-15

mainly uepenus. lney must nave the In
ducements of family, home, education
for their children, and some assurance
that their lives are not measured alone
by the days they live, and the quantity
and quality of the food they consume,
and are not to end with monument of
clay in potter's field. Whether they
are white or black or yellow, their use
fulness will depend upon the hope of a
just reward for their labor, which shall
not be taxed by their being compelled to
pay interest, or usury, either to the GOV
ernment or to the banker that shall fur
nish the money to compensate them for
their labor.
1t is very evident from these different
exposures that the financial legislation
of this country. has been dictated now
many years by its money power, al
ways in their own interests, and largely.
if not always, at the expense of the
rest of the people. The same thing
is undoubtedly true of other legislation.
but we have not time at present, nor is
it necessary to follow it. The exhibit
might perhaps be still more glazing than
that made here; especially as to laws
connected with corporations.
The following item pertinent to this
subject is from correspondent of the
New York World. and dated at
SPRINGFIELD, ILL, June 2.-Gov
John Z. Altgeld is of the belief that the
United States supreme court has es-
tabllshed a dangerous precedent in re-
handing Eugene V. Debs and his friends
to Jail. He expressed himself in very
caustic manner today regarding the de-
cisiOn and accused the court of tramp
ling on the rights of the people and of
being the tool of monopoly. He gives
his views for publication in a signed ar
ticle, in which he says in part:
"This decision marks the turning point
of our history, for it establishes new
form of government never before heard
of among men, that is, government by
Injunction. The provisions of the Con-
sttution that "no man shall be deprived
of his liberty without a trial BY an i'm
partial jury" is practically wiped out
by this decision of the United States SUI
preme court, and the theory that ours
was exclusively government of law is
now at an end, for every community is
now subject to obey any within or caprice
which any federal Judge may promul-
gate. And if federal judges can do
this, then it will not be long until State
judges will follow this example.
"For over century our government
moved along the lines of the Constitu-
ton, and we became great and powerful !;
life and property were protected and the
law was enforced. Now we have made
"A departure, the bulwark of liberty has
n n frio hxr INV I,a
been stricken down.
"For number of years it has been re-
marked that the decision of the United
States courts were nearly always in
favor of corporations. Then it was
noticed that no man could be appointed
to a federal judgship unless he was
satisfactory to those interested.
cover year ago the New York
World talked about packed supreme
court, and that court has within few
days rendered two decisions which I'M
fortunately tend to confirm this charge.
a week ago it did violence to the Con-
sttution and the laws of the land by
holding that the government had no
right to tax the rich of this country.
Now 1t has stricken down trial by jury
and has established government by in
junction.
Forty years ago the slave power
dominated; today it is capitalism. The
American people crushed the slave
power and saved our institutions. Can
they rescue them again? Many say
yes, but they have not reflected that the
crushing force which now cOnfronts
them is greater than was eyer the slave
power.
"Capital sits in the white house and
legislates in the capitol. Courts of JUS
tice are its ministers and legislatures
are its lackeys, and the whole machinery
of fashionable society is its handmade.
Just see what brood of evils have
sprung from the power of capitalism
since 1890. First, the striking down of
over one-third OF the money of the
world, thus crushing the debtor class
and paralyzing industry. Second. the
growing of that corrupt use of wealth
which is undermining our institutions,
debauching public officials, shaping leg
islation and creating Judges who do its
bidding. Third, the exemption of the
rich from taxation. Fourth. the substi-
tuition of government by Injunction for
government by the Constitution and
laws. Fifth, the striking down of the
trial jury.
"Never has there been so much patri-
otto talk as in the last twenty-five years,
and never were so many influences at
work strangling republican institu-
tons"
We are aware that GOV. Altgeld is
much abused by certain wealthy
classes, whose bidding he will not obey,
and by the press that represents them.
Very possibly he is overzealous at
times in the cause he has espoused;
but the above criticisms appear truthful,
and call for the careful consideration of
all thoughtful citizens.
1t is to be expected that the men of
large ability and fixed purpose who OPP
pose, and especially those who seriously
interfere with the purposes of the pluto
cracy, will be grossly abused and their
motives traduced. And the intensity of
the abuse will be in proportion to their
ability and success. A Boston lady
of large literary talent and great pop
ularitV recently remarked that she