The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-02-12
A PLUTOCRACY.

A friend takes us to task for saying
this is no longer free republic but
Plutocracy.
What is Plutocracy?
This is how Webster defines it,:
Plutocracy-A form Of government
in which the supreme power is lodged
in the hands Of the wealthy classes;
government by the rich: also con-
trolling or influential class OF rich
men.
Well it that does not describe our
condition what will?
Has not the Supreme Court Of the
United States, selected by the corpor-
ations. reversed its rulings for a humid
red years, and decided that you can
not tax the wealthy class, by levy on
their incomes?
Is not the United States Senate
simply club of millionaires or their
attorneys?
Are not our elections controlled by
the contributions of the rich? See
the contest of 1894, in this state, where
$S6.tOO were raised, that ,ce k,sOU OF; and
5000 OF this were donated by railroad
co'npanies; and another immense sum
was paid by the lumbermen. through
the surveyor generals of logs and lum-
| Der? -< s
| Does not a national bank weigh
more in public affairs, than county?
Can man be elected to Congress in
this country, at this time, in open op-
position to the Money power?
Do they not own nearly all the daily
newspapers?
Have they not deprived the laboring
people Of this nation OF the right to
unite to defend their rights, by blank
ct injunctions, to prohibit them from
striking; and by sending their officers
to prison. without trial by jury or the
right to the writ of habeas corpus?
Does not money VIGOROUSLY control
our popular elections: and our legis-
lators after they are elected; and our
courts to nullify what may squeeze
through the Legislature hostile to the
Money-pOwer?
Will our readers mention any law
that has been passed by the Legisla-
ture of Minnesota, during the past
twenty-five years, against the corpor-
atiOns, which was not set aside by
the Supreme Curt, in the interest Of
Plutocracy? Come. speak out. II
there has been anything OF the kind
we will apologize. We want to get at
the facts.
If these things be true then indeed
are we PlutOcracy and not Repub-
lie. "A silent revolution has taken
place in the nature of our govern.
ment; and we are no longer free-men:
but helpless subjects; liable to all
the eXactions which unrestrained
greed may demand.
We have not had free market for
wheat, corn, barley, meat, lumber,
kerosene. coal, ETC., in this state, for
many years. Powerful com binations
behind the scenes, fix the prices Of
what we sell and what we buy.
We are neither more nor less than sloves
They do not sell us on the auction
block because it is easier to strip us o.
the fruits of our industry and let Us
starve, than to be obliged to feed us il
youth and old age, as was the case in
the days Of negro slavery.
Well, what shall we do?
Shall we submit supinely and sink
into helpless wretchedness?
No; thousand times, no!
We Outnumber our plunderers ten
| 4 W. :,,L,
chinery of self-government from our
ancestors. We belong to the fighting
races of the world, while our enemies
are pilferers and sneak-thieves, who
destroy us with pen and an ink bot
tie, through the trickeries of the law
They Cypress us through the ignor
ance and the prejudices of our friend;
and neighbors. We must educate oul
fellow men and release them from the
dominion Of the Money-power. How:
By books and newspapers and CONVEX
Stations and public meetings, and club
and leagues. and every other instru
mentality within our reach.
Don't rest, friends, while a poor
hone st man, within ten miles of you
is the tool Of Plutocracy. Talk it owe
, with him; explain it to him; lend hin
your books and papers; work unceas
ingly. Remember you are workin
for yourself, your children and you
chi1dren's children:-and you ar,
working to preserve liberty on tn
earth and to prevent degradation
wars, anarchy, and universal destruc
tion.
4 CITY THAT GROWS./
, The Chicago Tribune SAWS.