Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-05
SUBJECTS OF MONEY POWER.

q -
For several years the big packing houses
OF the west have been gradually securing
control OF the cattle ranges and bringing
about the modern system OF combination
By which the bulk OF the cattle Industry
from the range to the consumer would be
LARGELY under their control. The beef
trust today IS as decided and definite a
reality as the steel trust, the fertilizer
trust or any other OF the numerous and
rapidly increasing trusts which appear
destined IN the near future 10 control and
dictate the production, manufacture and
sale OF every commodity OF commerce OF
any significance in the United States
either on land OF water. The meat
trust is but the forerunner OF the bread
trust.
Plans are already being drawn now by
which the big -four and grist mills OF the
country viii be merged into one gigantic
combine. as a running mate 10 the beef
pork and mutton trust and for the same
unrighteous objects and purposes. that OF
preventing competition and forcing the
masses TO pay. not what these commodt-
ties are fairly worth. but whatever prices
the handlers OF these commodities choose
TO charge. The Caesars OF the Roman en-
pire over . centuries ago never Wlelded
greater power over their subjects than
do the modern money kings OF America
over the masses in this day OF Christian
civilization under a pretended form OF
free government The constitution OF the
United States provides that there shall be
equal rights 10 all and special privileges
20 none"
Each or the As states have placed the
same guarantee at the mestheads OF their
constitutions which originally intended
that one citizen should enjoy the same
.-rigists and privileges as another. espec-
Tally IN the ranks OF commerce and trade.
De- fFrrrrr ~ M hnnw Ia
power continuously. with but one short
exception, for the past forty years has.
BY consent and cooperation, permitted
the money power OF the country 70 dc-ni-
nate legislation at the national capital
and tramule the rights Of the people and
the great fundamental principles underly-
ing the declaration OF Independence. and
the prime essence Of the constitution, I'M
der its feet and under the mud Of cor
ruption.
The states. through direct representa-
ton IN the various general assemblies.
seem poweriess 70 enact laws OF self-prO-
tection which viii stand before the de-
cisions OF the United States courts. the
great tribunals Of last resort We are
powerless 10 enforce the constitution Of
the United States, or 20 enact laws in the
different states which viii check the
growing evil OF the money power. which
dominates all forms OF law. every class
OF legislation and the fundamental rights
Of the people. The average man who does
not regard the present situation as a most
serious menace 10 the future OF his coun-
try has lost all sense OF manhood and pa
triotism which actuated his forefathers
IN laying down their lines for freedom and
Independence more than one hundred and
twenty-five years ago. A subject Of Eng
land Is more 70 be desired than that OF
subject 20 the money powers dominating
this country.
The Peoples LassItude.
The position OF the masses. especially
the producers. who constitute a large
percentage Of the consumers and who
are thereby dOubly interested is fnexpli-
cable during this present reign OF money
power which IS rapidly developing into
one gigantic Octapus. stretching out its
numerous tentacles in every direction 10
suck and sap the life blood OF millions OF
victims as they daily and hourly come
within its grasp Inch By inch and step
BY step hundreds OF millions OF dollars
are being concentrated for the one pur-
pose OF placing within the hands Of a
few the control and domination OF Nall
phases OF commerce and trade. the con-
stitution OF the government and 10 rem
der powerless the win OF the people. When
the biting pangs. Of hunger knaws at the
vitais OF millions OF the laboring classes,
whose daily wages. dictated by the heart
less and avariciOus combination Of CAPT
Il
comfortable living by reason of exOrbi-
tant prices put upon food and raiment
By the same power which controls their
labor. there is destined TO be such an up
hezval and resurrection as viii shatter
into very bits OF fragments the kingly
mower OF those who today sit serene and
confident behind their banking counters
The money kings who are now busily
ENGAGED rearing a colossal monument Of
gold on the threshold Of the nineteenth
century 20 mark their entry into power
and the control Of the constitution. the
Law and all things else. win find sooner or
later an enraged people who BY unity
OF effort and actuated by self-prescrva-
ton. that first law Of human nature. un-
dernining Its base and the crash which
must inevitably follow. viii be far worse
than the furies OF Mt Etna which blot
ted out forever the marble palaces Of
Pompeii and Hercuianeum. The comhi-
nation OF capital and the power IL seeks TO
feIS cannot live II must sooner or later
- fail By its own weight and the evils
which predominate as it's most fascinat-
ing and alluring attraction. Il is contra
~ 10 the laws OF nature. OF divinity and
the natural hereditary instincts OF the
average man Civilization and Christi
auatv rebel against every species OF un-
rirnteous power which seeks 10 put the
control Of the acts and dOings OF the
many lnto the hands OF the few.
A government Tor the people and n1 the
rrcnIe applies with equal force 20 COM
ruerce and trade. as IL does 20 civil and
criminal law. III a powerful curb IS not
suaeffiy placed upon the trust and the
evils ~ the Capitalization ~ capital ard
paterualisu on the part ~ the govern
rnent which fosters and protects these
growing evils. IL IS indeed hard 10 proph-
ecv what the future has in store for the
American people. The time 20 check a
puhIic growing evil s. in IT. infancy and