The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-10
"lntO the Barricade," "

The terse observations of Senator
Quay with reference to the Business
Mems League, printed yesterday, were
in response to IL statement submitted
on the preceding day by Thomas DOL
an, of Philadelphia. In that statement
Mr.. Dolan affirmed the perpetuity of
the organization of business men of
which he is the head, and added:
Immediately after the election steps
We're taken to form an organization TO
continue the work for good government,
not in one, but in all directions practical
bic. No sooner was Mr.. Mckinley elected
president than the leaders commenced to
parcel out the offices among their friends
without consulting city or country. This
is un-American and destructive to Repub-
licanism of the highest type. The busi-
ness men, who are in great demand as
elections approach. to contribute the
sinews Of war and do active work in ar
ranging meetings, are dismissed until an
other campaign comes around. The fact
that they are belittled as they are, after
they have done hearty service. has aroused
a mighty spirit in them. and because of
the great interests of business still suf-
fering for proper legislation they have
in every county in Pennsylvania. Ger
tain of our foremost and forceful citizens
have pledged themselves to underwrite
n practical organization that will continue
In business for some years to come. They
may not always be able to say who shall
have the Offices but they will make them
selves heard at Harrisburg and at Wash
ington. Mr.. Mckinley is likely to listen
to the friends who helped through his
nomination and election. The movement
in the interest of higher politics is against
the system of appropriation of the party
and supreme dctation, and Is In no sense
q personal battle.
This statement clearly fails to dis
close a sufficient warrant for the
leagues existence. The plea that there
has been any belittling of business men
will not stand before the conspicuous
facts as to the high places which they
have in recent years readily attained In
politics and in public life. That there
are legitimate duties for business men
in organization does not signify that
one of those duties Is to build uD a
personal dynasty by power Of wealth
a small coterie. 1t Is known to every
practical man that the institution
which Mr.. Dolan applauds Is nothing
more nor less than a new machine"
to buck against the old One-the diff
ference being that whereas the old one
has been built up on basis largely of
brains and sagacity the new one hopes
to win and hold power mainly by the
lavish use of Doodle.
Under these circumstances the Ian
guage Of Senator Quay in characterize
ing is not out of place. He recognizes
that the day is coming in America. as
it has already come in Europe, when
there will be a reaction from the politi-
cal insolence of great wealth and when
the party that permits special interests
to use it as tool will be swept from
power by the uprising Of the multitude.
Our revolutions will be by ballot instead
of bullet: but even 50, it becomes Re-
publicansm to hold itself aloof from
movements calculated to excite popu-
lar revolt. That Senator Quay, after
his years of afiiliation with the classes,
should be driven at last Into the bar
ricade with the bOurgeoise and the men
in blouses'' is one of the most signin-
cant portents which recent politics has
afforded. The circumstance will give
thoughtful citizens pause.