St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-11-11


usually well Informed, that the recent
decline in prices in Wall street was
caused by his influence and that it
was the greatest and most profitable
coup in his wonderful career. There is
little doubt that it resulted to his ad-
vantage in an amount exceeding $780,
100000"
"Twice that amount was lost by spec
ulators and scared investors" remark
ed Colonel Monroe, land it is no secret
that the lions share of it was absorbed
by what is known as the Standard Oil
crowd. But there is nothing remarka
BILE about this. Nowhere is the trust
idea so thoroughly developed as in
stock gambling. The outsiders by
which is meant the fool public, are per-
mitted to guess whether the insiders
are likely to force the market up or
hammer it down. Since these powerful
interests absolutely control all of the
factors which now enter into the estab-
| lishment of quotations and do not hest
| tate to use them they are sure to win
on every movement of prices. This be-
| ing the case-and the facts are exactly
| as l state them-the winnings of in
| siders' are in proportion to the amount
involved in the purchase or sale of
stocks by the innocent outsiders If
| Mr.. Rockefeller lives to the allotted
| years of those who take care Of their
health therp is no reason why he should
not leave an estate of four or five bill
| lions of dollars"
| 81 find that am changing my views
| on the subject of these vast accumula-
tons of wealth in the hands of one
man." admitted Judge Sawyer. GAS
an individualist once held that socie-
ty had no right to interfere with a citi
zen so long as he conformed to the spir
| it of the laws regulating the acquire
ment of property. But l am becoming
convinced that billion of dollars in
the possession of one man may consti-
| tute a menace to the commonwealth
| do not say that this is the case so
| far as Mr.. Rockefeller is concerned.
have the pleasure of his acquaintance,
and while l believe that some Of his
methods may be open to criticism |
know that he is a conscientious man
and good citizen. But am beginning
to doubt if society can exist in its pres
ent form if one or more of its members
are permitted to WELD so commanding
an advantage as that possessed by Mr..
Rockefeller"
"a man is entitled to all that he can
earn" declared Postmaster jenkins.
"Mr. Rockefeller saved his money
when he was young and has been saw
ing it ever since. Let him make all he
can, say. In this glorious republic of
ours we all have a chance to become
billionaires. OF course do not expect
to become one myself, but l am not
sore because some one else is smarter
or more lucky than myself"
81 doubt if the American people take
any steps which will interfere will
your prospects of becoming billion
aire, Jenkins said Colonel Monroe
lighting a fresh cigar. "At the risl
of hurting your feelings | will say tina
you and other penniless Rockefeller
constitute the stumbling block in tn
, way Of calm discussion or rational leg
! islation. When any one speaks of
, millionaire you throw yourself o.
guard. 1t is you and Mr.. Rockefelle
to the defense of society. You hav
I been drilled to say such things, and sa
them with the accuracy and intell
gence of a parrot. Some one has as
sured you that the defense of money o
property, no matter how acquired O
y how used, is an evidence of your ow
sturdy independence and of your 10y
atty to our established institutions
:, You say a man is entitled to all
can earn. What do you mean b
thatT'
81 mean that he is entitled to all thu
he can get" stammered the abashe
= and surprised postmaster.
. "That's what / supposed you mean
, and / congra tulate you on eXpressin
y your meaning so clearly on your Sc
ond attempt" laughed the colonel, II
= covering from his anger. "Your r.
marks annoy me at times, Jenkins, bt
| know that you mean all right. Me-
er repeat trite sayings unless you kno
what they mean and unless after ha'
ing given them thought you are col
yinced that they express truth bette
\ than you can word it. If the Amer
4 can people have one fault more glari1
than another it is the habit of choru
ing lot of set phrases, some Of whi(
mean nothing and others express 6
4 untruth. You say that man is e
titled to all that he can get. You {
4 not believe anything of the kind, Je
a kins."
n 81 mean get honestly" said Jenki
\ after a pause.
( do you think that man can get
\ billion dollars honestly"
4 81 don't know" said Jenkins, w
\ hesitated to venture into deeper wat'
\ "Neither do l." admitted Color
Monroe. at all depends on what '
\ define as honesty There is legal he
Z esty, an ethical honesty, a moral he
4 esty and common sense honest
\ There is no doubt but that a man C
Il acquire a billion legally. Mr.. Rocket
4 Ter has demonstrated that, and in {
4 ing so has rendered to civilization t