New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-02
PARKER AND THE TRUSTS.
The Interests That Made Him and
His Only Hope.

Judge Parler's professions of solicitude for
the purity Of elections at the Madison Square
Garden meeting on Monday evening and his
vicious attack on Republican leaders suggest
the reproduction from The Tribune Of october
26 of Senator Knox's pungent statement con-
corning Judge Parker's political bringing up
and his creators managers and resources III
this campaign:
Is there any connection between Judge Par
kers abandonment of his futile common law
panacea, which meant immunity to the trusts
and the fact, as he alleges. that the trusts con-
tribute to the success of the Republican party?
Do the principles of law which Mr.. Cleveland
thought last March protected manufacturing
mOnopOlies change in October. and If so does the
change affect the Belmont trusts or only those
which suspected of seeing in the perpetual
tion of Republican administration the continued
general prosperity of the country? Judge Par
ker in his speech on Monday, also said:
Many years have passed since my active partlci-
patton in politics. In tie mean ilme a startling
change has taken place in the method of CONDUCT
the worse; change that has introduced debasing
and corrupt methods which threaten the integrity
Of our government.
It is astounding that Judge Parker should be
willing TO challenge the comparison which this
statement inevitably calls OUT When Judge
Parker last actively participated in politics off
the bench. he was chairman of the NeW-York
State Democratic Committee which elected
David y. Hill as Governor. He was a cog in the
Hill machine There never have been, in our
political history, methods moro debasing and
corrupt than those OF the Hill machine in New
York, and they eliminated in the steal OF tho
State by the Maynard frauds, and the overthrow
of the Hill machine in consequences. This was
the machine which MIR. Parker ran until, as a
reward for running il, he was made judge by
Hill; and these are the methods no dePlores.
Again, Judge Parker speaks of the campaign
contributions by great corporations. He states
that some Of the enterprises which have unduly
thrived through favoritism have become so rich
and strong that they and do contribute vast
sums when it is made clear that it will advan-
tage them"
Judge Parker is describing precisely and ex-
acty the sources which give Tammany Hail It's
present election would remove every chance Of
his carrying New-YOrk State. There is not an
honest man in political life who does not know
that this is the case, and know that Judge Par-
kcr is now seeking to be the beneficiary OF the
very methods which he affects 10 denounce.
Again, Judge Parker says;
Political contributions by corporations and trusts
mean corruption They cannot be honest. A cor
poration will subscribe TO a political party only
It's control OF public officers. executive or legisla-
poration or to refrain from doing something to Its
Injury. No other motive can be imagined; IN the
nature Of things no other motive can exist.
1t is astonishing that Judge Parker should
have the temerity to say this when his own inti-
mate associates and supporters. the men VINO
conducted his campaign for the nomination ana
who are now conducting the campaign for MS
election represent these very corpora tions which
he affects TO denOunCA. or else owe their politl-
cal strength solely to the contributions they
to receive from them in the future
Mr. Cord Meyer MIR. Patrick MeCarren. Mr..
AUGUST Belmont, Mr. William r. Sheehar, Mr..
Thomas F. Ryan Mr.. John B. Mcdonald. Mr.;
David 3. Hill and Mr.. Thomas Iaggart one and
all owe their whole power in politics to the init
mate connection they have established between
the MANAGEMENT of corporations and the man
aqement of public business. Mr. Parker was
oreateo py @ eng +hem and has not now one chanoe
Of success save what they give him.
When Mr. Hill last April, In the NeW-York
state Convention, which put Judge Parker for
ward for the Presidential nomination, declared
that the trusts should be regulated by the State
and not by the nation ana when Judge FAR
l1er himself declared that the common law was
sufficient for their regulation, knowing full well
that this meart the abandonment OF every effort
to regulate them by the federal government.
Mr. Hill and Judge Parker were bidding for the
supDort of the great corporations, and bidding
for this support with reckless disregard of the
interests of the public. Now. as a last de
snairing effort he inveighs against them and
seeks to obtain votes by thus attacking them in
a manner utterly unworthy OF the candidate OF
a great party for the high office of President.
Judee Parker's statement in yesterdays speech
that the President and the trusts combined in
an effort TO satisfy the country that the trusts
were opposed to the present administration is
simply preposterous and smacks Of the rashness
of desperation. The Democratic platform,
sTeaking of the trusts, says
We specially denounce rebates and discrmiua-
tions by tTansp9rtaton c4mpaneS & as the m%st
these uniawfUl Couspracies against trade.
AS a Republican Congress, at the request Of
President Roosevelt, has Just passed as drastic
an act IS is possible to prepare. striking at all
rebates and ordinations and conterring
Jurisdiction upon the United States courts to
restrain and prevent them at the suit of the At.
torney General, how does this record stand
AGAINST Judqe Parkers assertion that these in
terests (referr nq to the trusts have decided to
attempt TO continue the present admnistratlon
in power" for the purpose Of securing tr1munltY
from prosecution under existing laws or the
enactment of additional laws aimed at their e~-
istence?