The San Francisco call., 1897-09-05
RAISES A
STANDARD
OF REVOLT
Rev. Mr.. Bliss Explains the
Union Reform League
Movement.
WARNING AGAINST CORRUPTION.
Thinks People Are Too Patiently
Robbed by Corporations and
Politicians.
BUT THE PEOPLE ARE BLAMED.
BE Discovers in Els Scheme of General
Brotherhood Remedy for
Pending Evils.
BUT THE PEOPLE ARE BLAMED
he Discovers in Els Scheme of Genera
Brotherhood a Remedy for
Pending Evils.

The Union Reform League, recently
organized in this City, has, as matter OF
fact, under a modest title. really raised
the standard of revolt. The league is or
ganized 10 proclaim a revolution, and a
revolution against what is at present the
organized government of the land.
What is the real governing power to-day
in California? Not the band OF quarrel
ing. disorganized politicians who wrangle
occasionally at Sacramento, but the very
quiet, highly organized, shrewdly man.
aged, "ably edited Southern Pacific Rail-
road" The capitol (and cepitaD OF Cali
fornia o-day is near the corner of Market
and Montgomery streets. 1t is the South
ern Pacific Railroad and kindred institu-
tions, which are represented by Califor-
mans at Washington. As Tor San Fran
cisco, her own Mayor has recently, in a
magazine article, declared that the City is
in tie hands of what he euphoniously
entities the Associated Villainies." Who
exerts the taxing power of San Fran
cisco?
The authorities at the City Hall, who
make the people pay S. 5O0), 600 for allow
gas company, which, on Il plant capable
of being reduplicated for $4,000 0O0 is
making the citizens pay e per cent on S10.-
000 900, aud the street railroad com panv,
which, as a system costing less than 49,
100000. issues stock for $4,000 OOO and
collects annually So 900 in fares?
Where is the really taxing power in San
Francisco? OF course he $1,000, 900 paid
at the City Hall is necessary TO the cor
porations. That sum is for Supervisors
to furnish amusement and the police to
keep the people quiet while the corpora
tions go throug the peoples pockets. a
small sum is spent for sewers, education
and other minor matters, else the people
might die and not be able TO make any
money Tor the corporations to lax.
Now, we are not particularly denounc-
ing the corporations. The corporations
and the wealthy men, we distinctly say
are not particularly 10 blame. They are
but carrying out the chosen policy of the
American people. We have no right 10
blame the masters whom We have chosen.
The American people do motor until re-
Gently did not-believe in nationalized
railroads or municipaliZed street railways,
gas service, etc. The American people
believed In letting private initiative fur-
nish and control those great public serv-
ices. Private initiative has done so. has
made money and has attracted 10 lis
service the smartest men, the keenest in
tellects and usually the most respecta BILE
elements of the community. On the other
hand, to the municipal and State govern.
ments, which Americans have minlm lied
both in theory and in fact, have been al
tracted, generally speaking, the worst ele-
Inents of the com neutrality-suspicious. poll
ticians and statesmen for revenue only.
The writer OF this article is a stranger
to the personnel of San Francisco's legis-
lators, and therefore he makes no personal
charges; but generally speaking in Amer
lean cities our municipal politicians are
prominent as dive keepers and jailbirds
or as outwardIy respectable men elected
by rings of dive-keepers and Jail birds and
who dare not resist the will of the ward
politicians who elected them.
1t is usual to-day 10 denounce both plu-
tocratic corporations and these corrupt
municipal Supervisors. 1t is un just. The
corporations are but doing what most poor
men would like to do, and our govern
ments are in the hands of inferior men
because we have had an inferior concep-
ton of government.
1t may be said, however, that while the
American public does believe in private
conduct OF railroads. gas and electric light
ing, etc., 1t wouu have these competitive
and not in the hands of combinations !;
but there Is such a thing as the logic OF
events, and the logic OF events is superior
to the logic OF paper constitutions. If
great corporations are to rule and conduct
the monster business transactions of his
land Il Is almost impossible by legislation
to compel these corporations to cut off
their own noses. Neither is IL fair. If
the corporations are to make money by
their conduct of public services, and this
is or has been the theory of the American n
people, ii Is impossible to COM pei them to
go on lighting between themselves and
reducing rates till there is no profit. 1t is
especially impossible when there is such
simple way out as com bination, allow
ing he combined corporations to charge
what they will and say, 1.-The people be
da mned."
1t ought TO be clear to every one, and it
is growing clear to most. that the street
combine" is but the natural and inevit-
able logic OF the American theory of busi-
ness. Therefore, when the corporal ions
say Tho people De damned" it IS idle, il
is folly, 1t IS even unju for the people to
Tetort, "The corporations be damned" !"
We repeat that the average corporation,
even in com bine, is but shrewdly carry
ing out the ordinary theory of the Ameri-
can public, and is composed. usually, of
the best and ablest American citizens
Yet see the result. California is con-
trolled by the Southern Pacific Railroad
Ohio is dominated by the Standard Oil
monopoly. The Legislature of Pennsyl-
vania adjourns when the Pennsylvania
Railroad has no more business for it 10
enact Chicago is ruled by Mr. Yerkes.
Boston is in the hands of the West End
Railway. New York City earns money
for Mr.. and Mrs. Astor and J. Pierrepont
Morgan. And so on through the list.
Nor is this all, nor the worst He who
owns the purse owns the man. He who
rules the marker rules the country. Plu-
tocracy, trium nhant in Wall street and
by the Golden Gate, rules our homes, our
schools, our judges and our churches. 1t
follows from the present monopoly OF
wealth in the United States that many OF
our young men cannot afford to m AIRY
and the married cannot afford to have
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