The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1897-03-16
VIZ N m TT
which the modern juggernaut is set in


chine do not end with the approprla-
ton of office. 1t does not secure the
offices for salaries primarily. The sal
airy is merely an incident. Govern
ment by the machine is machine deS-
potism. 1t administers the laws
through its agents, after its own inter
probation. 1t is independent OF the
people, and fears no reckoning. IN
extreme cases where it become neces-
sary to meet arraignment 1T has It's
own press to parry or soften the bloW.
Having no constituency to serve, 1t
serves itself i he machine is its own
master 1t owes NC obligation and &C
knowledges no responsibility.
Its legislatures make the laws by
its schedule 1t names their commit
tees. 1t suppresses bills inimicai TO lis
interests. behind the closed doors Oh It's
committee rooms. 1t suppresses de-.
bate by a machine rule and the ready
gavel of a plant speaker. 1t exploits
measures with reform titles, designed
to perpetuate machine control. 1t
cares for special interests and takes
tribute from it's willing subjects, the
private corporations There was a
time when the corporation lobbyist was
an important functionary and the
ulGIC0udIy 1CSlS1dIOl u AcCCO1 VIZ
whom it was necessary to make terms.
The perfected political machine is fast
superseding the lobbyist. The corpo
alton now makes terms direct with the
machine and the lobbyist now attends
upon the legislature to look after de-
tails and spy upon the action of mem
berS.
''The private corporation is a source
CT large income to the machine, for it
is everywhere present to-day. The in
dividual is rapidly disappearing from
the business world, and nearly all OF
the business Of the country is
transacted by private corporations.
Artificial light fuel, the food we eat,
the clothes we wear, the medicine
measured out to us in sickness, indeed
nearly everything which ministers to
mans comfort or nourishes life, passes
under corporate control before it
reaches the consumer. And the cor
poration with it's special franchise, it's
special power, it's special exemptions,
it's exclusive privilege, is ever present
and always we'll cared for in the ma
chine legislature.
Despotism Displaces Democracy.
"But it is not in it's bad legislation,
nor yet in it's vicious administration of
the laws, that the political machine is
most to be apprehended. The work
bad legislature may be undone, it's
unjust laws be repeated, the stain Of
it's record purged from the statutes.
'In so far as the public is concerned
with the individuals it may be of small
consequence what particular set of
men fill the offices this year or next.
Individuals count for but little The am
billions of men contending for personal
supremacy vex the passing hour and
are forgotten. But one thing; however,
does remain as part of every victory
achieved for machine men by machine
methods. It goes to the very life of
the state itself that it's laws shall be
made and administered by those con-
stitutionally chosen to represent the
majority. Control by the machine is
without exception the rule of the mi
nority. Every machine victory is the
triumph of despotism over democracy
Within it's reach and scope every such
victory destroys representative govern
ment. It's acts are as essentially trea-
sonable to the fundamental principles
of this Republic as was the assault on
Fort Sumter. Grave danger lies not in
life or change it's character by force of
arms. The shock and heat of collision
will ever rouse and solidify patriotic
citizenship in defense of American lib
eTty. 1t is the insidiOus, creeping, pro-
gressive encroachment that presents
the greatest peril.
"The macbine-this invisible empire,
does it's work so quietly. There is no
explosion, no clash of arms, no open
rebellion. but sly covert nulllfication
of the highest law of the land 1t in
ours none of the risks of armed assault,
escapes the personal dangers and swift
public retribution provoked by organ
lied violence and intimidation. So
long as the methods were the methods
of Boss Tweed was more notorious
but infinitely less dangerous. 1t would
in time go down beneath the overpow-
ering weight of decent loyal public con-
demnation. But when adroit, skilled,
talented men, schooled in practical pol
itics, devised a system that had in the
beginning the semblance of serving it's
party but mastered it instead; that
openly lauded allegiance to party prin-
ciple and artfully violated every prin-
ciple of honor; that had it's secret
agents in every community and it's