The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-10-25
Judge Parker on Corrup-
tion in Politics.
HUGE SUMS ARE SPENT
And the Promise is Made or Implied
That the Corporations that Con-
tribute Them Shall Receive
Favors in Return. The
Trusts.
(By the Associated Press.)


Esopus, N. Y, Oct. 24.-Judge Par
ker today laid aside the issues usually
discussed in national political contests
and addressed a crowd of several hun
dred persons on the general topic of
campaign practices and abuses. He
said in part:
MANY years have passed since nay
active participation in politics. In the
n eantime a startling change has taken
place in the method of conducting
campaigns, a change not for the bet
ter, but for the worse, a change that
has introduced debasing and corrupt
methods, which threaten the integrity
our government, leaving it practically
a republic in form but not a republic
in substance, no longer a government
of the people, by the people, for the
people, but a government whose Off
GERS are practically chosen by a hand
ful of corporate managers, who levy
upon the assets of the stockholders
whom the yrepresent, such sums OF
money rs they deem requisite to place
the conduct of the government in such
hands as they consider best for their
private interests. I make no COM
rlaint nor should complaint be made
ward the many legitimate expenses of
q great campaign. The capitalists, as
an individual. has as much right to
contribute to such purposes and in
proportion to his means, as has his less
Wealthy fellow --r.ng Whatever he
may do. based or a patriotic desire to
help elect the candidates, that party
which is seems to him will best serve
the interests of the country should be
encouraged.
ut is but u little while since the
body of the people at large provided
the legitimate expenses of a campaign.
When farmer and lawyer, doctor and
mechanic, day laborer and banker
each contr buted something. toward
the erection Of banners, the circula-
ton of literature and the expenses OF
public meeting each Contri butOr was a
better citizen for it. 1t stimulated his
Hatriotlsm, ana the contributions were
devoted to the legitimate advancement
Of the cause, not made for the dei.L-
crate corruption of masses Of electors.
The Growth Of "Fioaters."
Gradually, and alas, effectively but
ely not permanently, has ali this
been changed. Some of the enterprises
which have unduly thrived through
f&VCritisnl and which have been per-
mitted by a statute to indirectly levy
tribute upon me people, have iH the
course Of time become so rich and
strong that they can and do contribute
vast sums when it is made clear that
1; viii advantage them and they con-
tribute upon the promise, direct or
implied, that they shall be permitted
to continue to tax the people for their
own benefit Upon such promises con
ufbutions nave been not infreqrently
made in such large measures as to in
cuce and procure colonization, repeat
ing and bribery in doubtful States.
Thus has built up class of voters
known to local leaders as 'hoaters,' n
class so numerous that party canvass,
ers allot to them, in their canvass
books, q separate column, headed
with that name This condition Is
recognized by party workers, local
State and national. They are no lons--
er shocked by it. 1t has become so
prevalent that they are becoming
hardened to it.
Money From the Trusts.
'"The excessively protected interests,
which formerly poured out their treas
ure in order to continue existing ana
procure the passage of new laws per-
mitting it's further accumulation. have
been joined by the combinations com
monty called trusts. Their plan is
to Derpetuate the present admmistra-
ton. Such of the combination or
trusts as do not profit by the aid OF
the tariff secure their profits by the
exercise Of monopolies. Hence their
officers are opposed to the enforce.
ment of law as against them.
when such forces unite to furnish
the money which they are promised
will control the election, their pur-
pose is as clear as noon-d -day-it is To
buy protection to purchase four year,
more OF profit by tariff taxation or
four years more of eXtortion from the
public by means of monopoly.
1t Means Corruption.
political contributions by corpora
tions and trusts mean corruption.
They cannot be honest Merely busl-
ness interests are moved by merely
business considerations. A corpora
ton will subscribe to q political party.
only because the corporation expects
that party. through it's control OF pub
lie officers executive ana legislative.
to do something for the beneht OF
the cOrporation. or to refrain from
doing something to it's injury No
other motive can be imagined. In the
nature of things. no other motive can
exist The relations established mean
the expcctation if not agreement, ac-
tual or implied, that governmental ac-
lion is 70 be influenced by ana Tor
CORPORATION interests. No sophlstrY
can give any other aspect to the tran
sition in the minds of reasonable men.
Fayoritism is Shown.
e.rr, - 80 o11r government op-