The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1904-06-24

right OF capitalistic grab, 2 that the
searchlight Of inquiry and criticism

right of.capitalistic graf, . that the
searchlight Of inquiry and criticism
should be 80 turned, with increas-
ing frequency, to ascertain the cause
OF so many social ood.for-nothings
and society hold-up men. In some
of helarger cities, such as ST. Louis,
Philadelphia and Minneapolis, and
even IA our own national govern
ment Washington, men have been
convicted of using their Offices for
private gain, of accepting bribes
and using their influence to aid
somecorporation. ..>-.x. ~ IT,. =.
Everyone has heard "to the victor
belongsthe spoils." It was Andrew
Jackson, who. it will be remember
ed, threw out about four thousand
offic eholders and put in their places.
men who aided him to be elected to
ths presidency, was the first to bring
this principle into prominence.
Since then many men have been
placed in or driven out of office, ac-
cording to the result of an election.
If party is successful it's workers
or henchmen are generally given
rewards for their services, and it is
generally given in the form of cash
or public Office. The desire to win
in an.election, or in anything for
that matter, permeates everything.
AfterA person has reached the de-
sired point and gained the goal
which, he was seeking, he looks
abontsand if it is in his power he
will repay some of his friends for
their aid by giving them some pub
lie position. This person, if he is
successful for period of time has
about him in Office a number of
men willing to do almost anything
to retain their power. These men,
in thescourse of time, become so Sc.
cure in their positions that they are
able to dictate the government of a
community, county, state or nation.
Take f4r example the cities of Phil
adelpl1ia, Cincinnati, ST.: Louis and
Minneapolis, four representative
cities Of the United States. In Phil
adelpAia, the ring or machine. rule
has befome SO strong and predom-
inant that they were actually able
to refrfe million of dollars for a
franch|se and to give it to another
form ching, knowing at the time
5thaa ~ ulle. city was in debt about
seventeen millions of dollars. In
Cincinnati, it is One Man Cox rule.
Here, if person wishes franchise
or privilege of any kind from the
city he must see Cox, and obtain
his consent. In St. Louis, and even
Minneapolis, in our own state, the
exposures and convictions of the
politicians are so recent that we
have very vivid word picture of
corrupt politics. The officials of
such cities as the above mentioned,
in the course of time demand re-
muneration, and they get it by TAX
ing a percentage on contracts, re-
ceiving a reconpense for aiding
corporations to obtain some valu-
able franchise, or by increasing
taxes and appropriating, or rather
misplacing some of the funds Sec.
ured in this manner. This is rarely
done unless they are very sure of
their position; whenever man. or
corporation wishes any privilege
from the government, money is
generally used to get it. Many of
the great consultations of capital,
industrial combinations and cor
porations owe their very existence
to government-granted or govera-
ment-fostered advantages, which
were bought and paid for just as
merchandise is bought and sold.
AT the present time, these corpora
tions have representatives, to look
after their interests, holding gov
ernment positions of trust and con-
tidence. Henry George, Jr., has
said "The United States Senate is a
body OF men chosen to represent
capital" g.. -.
Of course, there are exceptions to
this, for many man is serving his
town or community or nation, with
out receiving one cent of dishonest
spoil. Some are even working with
out salary. 1t is just such honest,
self-sacriicing persons as these,
that tide the country over many
difficulties. places honest men in
office, and give us good clean honest
government. Because there are
not enough of such patriotic citi-
zens, is just one of the reasons why
there is 80 much systematic rob