The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-25

marx. Bht tndt - nut Nndt MI. Hh'"-
tague means. lie intended his auditors
10 understand that the rich men Of the
country Constitute class TO themselves.
and that they all operate together TO In
vcigie legislators into shaping the laws
so that they can Increase their wealth
at the expense OF the poor people OF the
country. This is a popular sort Of talk
by politicians that is accepted by many
ignorant people. But Mr.. Montague is an
educated man. and though young one.
ne must have learned enough TO know
that the idea is nothing but a deiusion
ana a very absurd delusion ut that.
What VIII make him ashamed when he
gets older will be the reflection that he
ought to have addressed himself to en-
deavoring 70 expose the absurdity Of this
notion instead OF attempting to forward It
as much as he could.
We suggest to Mr.. Montague TO reflect
a little upon what he said. What eie-
ments constitute that distinct power
the money power?" Does IT include all
men VINO have any property or money,
or Is It limited 10 those only who have
a certain amount Of money or property?
II limited 10 the latter class, what Is the
amount which entities a man to say that
no belongs 10 the money power? III the
limit be placed at a million Of dollars,
does Mr.. Montague mean 20 say that all
men worth a million Of dollars are engag-
ed In Tne nefarious business Of fixing
tariffs and controlling legislation" II
Mr. Montague had reflected a little be-
fore no made his statement he would
have seen that 1t was simply impossible
TO analyze it so as to give It any sense
at all There are no doubt rich men who
most UNANIMOUSLY devote their efforts TO
trying to bribe legislators TO enact such
statutes as will enable them to get unfair
advantages Of their fellOw-citizenS But
TO say that all men who have any prop
erty belong 20 class that is engaged In
that business is manifestly absurd, or to
say that sn men rich above certain
limit participate in such an effort is equal
Iy absurd. There cannot therefore, In the
nature Of things, be any such separate
ana individual unity as Mr.. Montague
describes under the name of 1.-THE money
power" and, with the opportunities he
has had for acquiring information, moth
ing but Mr. Montagues youth can excuse
him for making the statement that he
made.
We should not have given the time and
space to this matter that has been taken,
II Mr.. Montague were simply Mr.. Monta-
que. But lie is the nominee of the Demo-
cratic party Of the State for the high and
important office of Attorney-Generai.
HIS utterances upon an occasion like that
OF Thursday evening s-e fairly to be as
sumed as the opinion Of his party, and 1t
is therefore 10 go out to the world that
the Democratic party Of Virginia thinks
upon this subject as Mr. Montague thinks
II is an undeniabe fact that that impress
sion has gone out to the world and that
is why Virginia, Astounding in wealth OF
natural resources. has TO remain an unde-
veloped land Let outside capitalists be
approached for aid in developing any
virginia enterprise and the cold should
er is at once turned. The answer comes
you Virginians think 1t close to a crime
for a man 10 get rich and We do not pro-
pose to risk any part OF what We have
amongst a people who entertain those
ideas"
Now we want to say TO the world that
while Mr.. Montague represents those
Democrats that happen now to be in con-
troll Of the machinery Of the Democratic
marty. ne is very far from representing al
the Democrats Of Virginia. There is here
n large body Of Virginias very best citi-
zens. who utterly abhor such doctrines as
Mr.. Montague uttered. and who are strus-
ling with all their might and with increas-
ing prospects OF success, to make the
world understand that capital is welcom-
ed here and that II will be as safe here
as 1t is in any other part Of the world'
our task has been an uphill one because
the war reduced our people to such
distressing depth OF poverty. But there
are brave-hearted men engaged in the
work and the odds against them have not
discouraged them. They are keeping up
their good work and their work is telling
We suggest to Mr.. Montague in all
candor and sincerity that he will do WELL
while get young man, to disassociate
himself from his present connections
ana ioin with those who are trying TO
build Virginia up rather than to remain
with those who would keep her forever
on, OF the column of progress.