The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-10-25
VOTERS WITH A PRICE.

This has built up a class of voters known 10
Local leaders "nosters. class so numerous
that party canvassers alIot to them in their
canvass books a separate column headed with
that name. This condition is recognized by
party workers. local. State and national. They
are no longer shocked by IL. 1t has become so
prevalent that they are becoming hardened TO
it They sometimes wonder where 1t is 10
end but under the stress Of campaign they
POSTPONE consideration until the next election.
l am persuaded the time TO begin the hght
against those who would control the results OF
elections for their private corporate interests,
as distinguished from the public interests IS
now, and. whatever the result OF the electlcn
may be il should be continued until the evil
is checked.
The excessively protected interests which
formerly poured out their treasure in order
to continue existing laws and procure the
passage Of new laws permitting its further
bination popularity called trusts. Their plan
is TO perpetuate the present administration
Such Of the combinations OF trusts as DO not
profit by the aid OF the tarin secure thelr
profits by the exercise Of monopohes. Hence
their officers are opposed TO the enforcement
OF the law against them
money which they promised VIII control
the election. their purpose is as clear as
MONDAY Ii is 70 buy election material 10
purchase four years Of profit by taxation or
four years more Of extortion from the public
By means OF monopoly.
Political contributions by corporations and
trusts mean corruption. They cannot be hon
est. Merely business interests are moved by
merely business considerations A corporation
will subscribe TO political party only because
the corporation expects that party. through
its control OF public officers. executive CT
legislative 70 do something for the benefit
OF the corporation to restrain from doing
something 10 its injury. No other motive
other motive exist. The relations estab-
nshed mean the expectation II not agree
action is TO be Influenced by and for cor
porate interests No sophistry can give any
other aspect 10 the transaction in the minds
OF reasonable men.
PUTS A FEW QUESTIONS.
Let the defenders Of the practice. IL it has
defenders. answer these questions:
Why do corporations and trusts subscribe
TO political campaigns?
What would a trust think of party which,
after accepting from the trust campaign
contribution Of $500. ocO. should permit the
inimical to the trusts?
Would the public interests be safe in the
campaign funds had been contributed by cor
porations and trusts?
II the public welfare and the interests OF
subscribing corporations trusts should con-
iict. which would likely be protected?
The scheme OF our Government opposes ia
voritisn. but in its administration there has
been much OF it, Indeed. II has been growing
with such rapidity in recent years that those
few who have enjoyed favors contributed either
directly by statute indirectly bv the non
prosecution Of violations OF law represent con-
troll and representing many millions ~ dollars
These interests have decided TO attempt TO con-
tnue the present administration In power
Their representatives scolded about the Pregl-
cent 6eFeral MONTHS 3&o ana thus contributed
their part to the effort which was assiduol,slv
made to satisfy the country that the trusts
were opposed 20 the present Administered ton
Whether there were real difficulties between
these great powers and the administration
difficulties which have since been settled TO
the satisfaction OF all parties conce-ned-or
whether there were no difficulties to be com
promised and adjusted their action being but
a play 10 deceive the voters. the fact remains
that the trusts are not now opposed TO the
continuance OF the present administration. On
the contrary. IL is common knowledge that
they have decided to furnish such a sum OF
money to the Republican National Committee
as II is hoped will the ''hoaters' In
the doubtful States for the Republican ticket
such an attempt constitutes both a menace
and a challenge to every patriotic and law
abiding person in this country. challenge
which ought to be accepted. The question
ought TO be settled now whether the '-noaters''
and illegal combinations can together control
an election in this campaign
Such a contest means, on one side, vast sums
OF money and every man with an itching palm.
II ought 20 array every honest. independent
and patriotic citizen on the other side.