Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-10
WALL STREET RULE MUST END.

| wall y MI L NULL MUD EIND.
The Virginian-Pilot has little regard
or respect for Dick Croker, or any man
like him, notwithstanding he is the
Democratic boss of Tammany and the
city Of New York. We loathe him. in
fact, and in the presence of such
creature our flesh crawls" and our
soul revolts. Yet even such a thing as
lie can remember and repeat q good
and true thing, sometimes, as even the
devil. it is said, can quote Scripture to
| his purpose; and reporter OF The Yer
dict submits the following from Croker.
which. false as 1t may be in all that
relates to him on his own testimony, is
absolute verify as concerns others:
THE first time I saw Bryan" re-
marked Richard Croker the other even
pered. II was two years ago at u din
ner In Washington. Croker said
Bryan, as we stood talking, ever since
l4incoln's time. no matter who was
PRESIDENT. Wall street has run the
country 1t has passed laws and vetoed
laws and repealed laws. 1t has had it's
way about everything. Absolutely! as
tell you, Wall street has controlled the
country. Up to the death of Lincoln,
the Washington question was: MAN.
EVER since the question has been:
MONEY. We have lived under Wall
street rule for the last third of CEN
fury. And / tell you now went on
Bryan, that should it ever chance that
I'm made President, the one first thing
that my minds made up on, never to
change, is that Wall street rule shall
cease It's true" continued Richard
Croker. that until Bryan spoke OF it,
I'd never realized the fact Of Wall
street domination. But what he said
was the truth. And the moment
thought Of it. 1 saw 1t. That was the
first thing that Bryan said to me, and
it's the foundation of my prospect for
him to-day. He's right. More! he's
wise enough to see, with the strength
and courage to do. what's right. Bryan
will take place with the greatest Of the
Presidents"
The instructive fear and hate that
Wall Street, and all it's kind, feel and
exhibit toward William J. Bryan are
born of the acute consciousness that
he entertains fully the convictions and
sentiments towards them that are re-
ported above. The Virginian-Pilot has
often repeated substantially the same
statements and opinions, because they
are true. whether stated by Mr.. Bryan,
or not. Have we not had enough of
this venal rule? Is it to be tolerated
longer until we are tied hand and foot,
the impotent victims of this wa1l-eycd
dragon. whose pestilential breath is in
fecting the bodies and souls of men
and all that is? Nor is the monster
tho n mn he
is figured in divers forms, under many
various names: as octopus, demon.
dragon. devi--what not: he Is always
one and the same; rs Unsuitable and un-
scrnpulous as he'll itself: as, cruel as
murder: LISTING for money. and avid
for it to betray honor, chastity, love,
and all the virtues OF men and women.
This is the monster that wrecks the
faith and peace of homes: that cheats
men of their we'll earned rewards, and
robs them of their wives: that scuttles
the insured ship in sight of port; that
sells the State, and puts the church in
pawn.
Yet why recite these stale and an
cient details? If the rabid. or ferocious
dog may not run at large why is this
ravenng and predacious beast let loose
among us, 10 devour and dominate?
Next year is our opportunity; perhaps
it will be our last, if neglected. Eel
!ow-men, fcllow-citizens, fellow-suffer-
crs. it is Il chance too precious and
priceless to be undervalued. or wasted
for petty purposes. We can save our
selves. our liberties, our country and
our interests by our votes at the poles
in November, 1900. Shall we not do 1t
by voting out this beast of prey that
has his Den at Washington?