The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-06-30
A PLEA FOR POPULISM.

Mr.. Editor: Arising from fundamental differ
ences there is no posi- Dllity of union between
Populism and Republicanism. The basis of
the latter is privilege" This is evidenced
by these two open facts: There is almost a
unanimity OF the wealth in its ranks, and the
vast business OF the country is under corpo-
rate control.
The grayitation ofriches to that party is ex-
planned by its legislation, which craftily en-
genders and ever protects accumulation. This
accounts for the first fact just stated The
genesis of the second is equally clear. The
corporations OF to-day own aud operate n inc
tenths OF all our business industries. But a
corporate franchise is always discrimination
in favor of its possesSors. If ii brought
equality to all citizens it would not be wanted
It's Just because it gives its owners some adj
vantage over ali others that makes 1t valuable.
Men sicken and die, feel hunger and pain,
grow Ola and weak, assume marriage and
families, etc. None OF these implements
touch corporRttons-they combine all of
manly strength and discard all of human
weakness and conscience. This special privi-
lege which inheres in every corporate fran
Cnise is IN truth part OF governmental sover-
eighty, loaned TO them under the guise of
legislation.
These four illustrations will show this.
Every trust dependent on our tariff is using
for lis own enrichmenta part OF the taxing
power OF the Nation. The United States per-
mlts l TO levy taxes upon us all. and TO keep
the public treasury. The fact is realized for
the consumer in higher prices and lower
wages.
The railroads rest upon the power of the
General Government to take private property
for a public use. The Nation has this right.
But in the case stated, the land OF The citizen,
against his will, is taken away for the sole and
private use of the railroad owners. The re-
muneration to the individual is not equivs-
lent Tor the use OF the sovereign attribute.
TelegraphS ana telephones usurp the func-
lions OF the Nation as to mail and post roads.
The constitution plainly notes these as public
rights.
The supremest power OF the General Govern
ment as TO money-making is transferred TO
the National bankS-mere private insltu-
uons-and they are thereby authorized TO
create money, notwiths landing the organic
law makes that exclusively sovereign func-
ton. This sane discrimination runs through
all corporations, whe Their using city, county,
State or National franchises. For in every
case the final analysis viii show that they are
using some special privilege not granted 10
the body OF our citizens, ana, in many in
stances, that they in truth eGriching
themselves by the highest power of the Gen.
eral Government
These practices are in effect defended by Re-
pubLcanism as wise policies. Against this
dtscrimin ating doctrine PopuliSm is arrayed.
Its gospel is that nature gives and clothes
every human being with triune rights as to
thought, legislation and Ia Dor. There must
be freedom in all these-untrammeled and
unbought, glorious as sunlight.
These natural rights TO the mastery OF ones
own mind, TO seltgovernment and TO the use
OF the products of labor can only be realized
when every man has full access 10 these four
universal things: Land, air, wafer and sun
hgnt. They are essential to each human be-
ing.
These Populism will bring to all, for it seeks
10 destroy the present gigantic Republican
monopolies as to ianu, transportation. money
ana legislation. These monopolies are our