Willmar tribune., 1900-11-28
BUSINESS AND ELECTIONS.


ming to advocate step in the direc-
tion of monarchism: by lengthening the
terms of Office, thus getting fewer elec-
tions. It is argued that elections
cause Interruptions in the business
world and are therefore a bad thing.
If the people accept this idea it will
follow logically that these disturbers
of business ought to be dispensed with
entirely, and then we have reached the
goal for which the "vested interests"
have been striving since the days of
Hamilton. The following clipping is
fair sample of this insidious attack
on popular government:
This country has too many elections.
Could the number be materially re-
duced the probabilities are that the re-
suit would be favorable to the busi-
ness interests of the nation. Every
four years, under the present system,
presidential campaign distracts the
public. Business is made secondary
matter to politics and for several
months the voice of the stump speaker
is heard in the land. It is a we'll
known fact that upon the success of
one or the other of the great political
parties hinges great business projects.
Who has forgotten the hard times of
'96 when Bryan threatened every busi-
ness interest in the land. Capital was
boarded, the labor could not find en-
ployment and the Industries of the
country languished simply because
the free silver heresy menaced the ma.
tion.. Earlier in the history of the,
country business men halted until the
question of protection or free trade
should be settled at the polls before
launching forth upon new projects
Redwood Reveille. -.
Are we going to sacrifice everything
to this modern Moloch of ''business''?
Are not human rights and privileges |
more sacred than dollars and cents?
It appears not, according to the new
gospel of the ruling classes Of the day.
All the traditions of our glorious |
past, the great principles on which |
this nation is founded, are put aside
as rubbish that is hindering the prog |
ress of "business. For that we have !
abandoned the idea Of government by |
the consent of the governed, and have
laid violent hands on the people of
distant lands. For that the COZ stitu- /
tion has been disregarded and sacred
promises violated. For that people |
have. been intimidated into voting |
against their honest convictions. And |
now this tyrant demands that the peo-
pie shall gradually give up their right |
ofsuffrage. This mystical "business"
combination recognizes only one par
ty, and it does not like to have to
spend millions of dollars every four
years to maintain that party in power.
Therefore the number. of elections is |
to be ''materially reduced Mark |
Hanna, the high priestysof this new
Golden Calf cult, has said that the
English system of government is in
some respects superior to ours. It is
evidently his intention to change our
form of government SOFAS to make It
the equal ef England 8. Willthe peo-
pie tolerate this monarchical tendency
for the sake of "business?" It is hard
to tell. Other people have for time
workhipped liberty as our country has
has done, and then fallen, down before
the golden calf and allowed the yoke
OF oppression to be placed on their
necks. The shores Of the historical
ocean are strewn with the wrecks Of
republics that stranded on the rocks
of monarchism because the people did
not keep good watch: We hope that
the superior intel lligence q: the Amer
lean people will enable them to dis
Germ the danger in time. II behooYes
every friend q liberty to carefully
watch the trend of events and persist
emily warnsthe people Of app chil,g1
danger.