Hutchinson gazette., 1899-01-26

the RoeliellsiB, the YSrkes and their
ilk may add TO their multiplied mil,
lions II any one doubts that we arq
living under the iron rule OF COM
scienceless plutocracy let him review
the ill.staTed administration Of Grover
Cleveland, with its odious secret bond
deal, tho brazen atfrontery with which
It Showerod itS fAYors on Wall street
magnateH and itR shameless indiffer
ence TO tho miseries Of the wealth.crea'
tors, and from this humiliatlng specta,
Gle let him turn TO tho doinga Of the
other dominant party In yielding 70
the exorbitant demands OF odiouq
trusts during the few short month";
since 1t has had the power 10 scandal,
zc decency and plundcr the toillna
millions. The trusts have proved that
they are more powerful than govern,
ment, or, rather, that they have pros
tituted the government until II has be-
come the shameless servant OF the
cormorants Of wealth.
The history OF recent years has de-
monstrated that the day Of competi
tion is over. In tho mighty rush Of
this marvellous ago IL has been dis
tanced. The great Socialistic depart'
mcnts OF modern government, such az
the postofrice, sounded It's knell, but \
remained for the inordinatcly selfish
trust and combine, prompted by lusl
for greed, to quiclsly and remorseless7
ly deal the death blow These varioua
combinations have proved afresh how
much more economically great enter
prlses can be operated when under one
guiding hand, and with competitive
war eliminated. But while the post
Office and other Soclalistic features oi
government have proved that compar
ative purity efficiency, and economy
prevail when the government owna
and operates utilities for the benefit OF
tho people, combinations when made
by individuals for personal uggrandize'
ment soon result in efforts TO prosti'
tute government, evade law, defy JUS
tlco and corrupt political parties and
the peoples representatives.
The trusts have emphasized the prac'
ticabllity and economy OF the opera'
tion OF great enterprises under one
governoring and directing power.
They have also demonstrated that any
trust, combine or syndicate which Ia
not operated by the nation for tho
good Of the people soon becomes tho
foe Of the nation, seeking selfish ad-
vantages either covertly or openly by
bribery, direct or indirect, by making
and unmal,ing legislators, by gaining
control Of public.opinion-forming or
gans, or by open defiance OF laws,
Hence, 1t has become the imperative
duty OF the nation TO withdraw all
privileges from those high-handed and
anarchical bodies which have been
permitted to debauch government that
they might rob industry, and at the
same time the state should acquire and
rapidly extend the ownership and man
agement OF public utilities. II is time
that the government cease the wretch
ed policy Of partial paternalism,
through which favored classes have
long fattened Off of the industry OF
others, and that she act in the interests
Of, and for the happiness OF, all her
children. Competition is practically n
thing of the past. Let 1t go. The age
has outgrown 1t, 1t was the battle OF
tooth and claw. Combination Of the
few for private gain by plundering the
many is tyrannical, unjust, debasing,
immoral and destructive to the very
life of free govrrnment. 1t is fatal to
the happiness Of the people, and dead
ly to moral growth or spiritual unfold
ment Its motive power springs from
sordid selfshness. Its triumph is the
triumph OF craft and cunning; the VIC
tory OF brain without soul. Lot it
make way for the dawning age Of the
heart, the sway Of cooperation, Of
ownership, control and management of
utilities of, for and by the people. B
O. Flower, in New Time.
cuuo,toa pon,o NUon Cat