New-York tribune., 1904-10-26
PURE CAMPAIGN FuNDS.

The Democrats nominated Judge Parker and
started out their campaign in high hopes that
| their bOasted return to safety and sanity"
would induce many fnanciers, disturbed by the
litigation for the enforcement of the antitrust
laws to give them a huge campaign fund. They
made member of a great banking house the
| treasurer of the national committee, and the
| representative Of the ROthschilds took a place
in the executive committee after having piloted
his gold candidates with mufied oars through
the silver breakers. Judge Parker, in the Court
of Appeals, had shown decided sympathy for
corporations in litigation between corporations
and individuals ane there were fond hopes that
the corporations W build reciprocate with large
contributions
An indication of the spirit OF the Democrats
is the story which THE New-York Times" pub
lished on the authority Of q Democratic National
Committeeman that Mr.. J. J. Hill was, under
certain conditions, prepared to invest S500O0O in
the Democratic campaign. But the great busi-
ness interests of the country came to the con-
elusion that though they might dislike Presi.
dent kOosevelt's impartial enforcement OF the
law when it interfered with private schemes
they could better endure that than a return
to Democratic hard times, which when last en-
dured prostrated all enterprise-~~As they began
to realize this the Democrats suddenly acquired
Virtuous disapprOval of large campaign con-
tributions. It was all right for Mr.. Hill, IL he
would, to pour half million into New York for
revenge, but it was scandalous for the heads of
other corporations who thought business pros
perity dependent on Mr.. ROosevelt's election to
make liberal contributions 10 the Republican
funds. So they have been oStentatousIy beg
ging for Peabody's pence ever since
Now Judge Parker comes out. lamentng the
simple days of his early political career. when
The chief contributors TO the campaign fund
were poor but honest day labOrers. and everv
contributor handed in his mite out Of pure and
unselhsh patriotism. and always warned the
treasurer that he would be deeply offended if
ihe party remembered his gift and gave him
anything afterward. Recalling those times OF
pure politics, when he was campaign manager
for the immaculate David B. Hill, the Judge
bemoaned;
Many years have passed since my active mar
tcipaton in politics. In the mean time start.
ing change has taken place in the method OF
coIluuctlhs campaigns. change not for the bet
Ter. Ii Is but little while since the
oody OF the people at large provided the lepiti-
maze MAJ expenses of a campaign. Then farmer
HIiu t@"yeT' DOCTOR ana mechanic day laborer
ana banker each contributed something toward
me erection Of banners. the circulation of lit
erature and the expenses of public meetings
Each contributor was a better citizen for il II
stimulated his patriotism and the contrib,1tions
were devoted TO the legitimate advancement of
the cause, not made for the deliberate corrup-
ton of masses of electors
If this be true and men and corporations are
subscribing with a lively sense Of favors vet
10 come who were excluded from participation
IN fund made up exclusively of the free VIII
offerings OF the plain people when Surrogate
Farker was a campaign chairman it would GER
talniy oe well for us to study the example Of
the good Old Parker times. In pursuit of such
lesson in pure politics. we turn to the history
OF Alton b. Parker's money raising at the crit-
cal moment in the campaign Of 1885 The fol-
lowing BRIEF account is taken from the columns
"f his supporter "The New-York Evening Posi-"
for February g. 1892:
In 1888 the scandals about the do,nes os .,o
Aqueduct Commission became so great that an
investigation was ordered by the Senate II
was shown by unimpeacha BILE Testimony, tLa+ ~
the campaign for his own re-election In Set
'eIlor oon alii had drawn two notes, one for $40
VVV ana lne other FOR $1,000 the proceeds of
which had been used to defray campaign ax
penses. The hrst was drawn to the order of
NlIilam J.. Muller, and was indorsed bv Afullar
and by John O'Brien and Heman CLARK the
two heaviest contractors for aoue5uct y,-nrl-
i 1he note was cashed by o'Brien and charged to
him on the books of the firm The second r1otS
was Endorsed by Muller and Alton 3. Parker. and
was caShed by John Keenan,. the alleged doodle
Keenan, was afterward repaid by John 0'Rrien ie,ri
Mr. O'Brien contributed $500 Alton r Parker
SSoo and other friends Of the Governor similar
amounts u was TO pay these notes that the
contract was awarded to Clark q O'Brien
though their bid was $4,000 above the lowest
tor Mayer Grace and Squire (Commissioner OF
Public Works. testified that they were asked "a
vote IN favor OF that bid in order that the Gov.
ernor's notes might be paid. The testimony also
showed that both notes were finally paid by
- Srien and Clark presumably out Of the $40.
600 profit made on that bid.
Thus did this money raised by Alton B. Parker
stimulate patriotism. The contributors did not
look for favors as In these degenerate DAYS!
Alton b. Parker's fund cost the taxpayers OF the
city Of New-YOrk only $4,000 That was be-
fore the days bewaiIed by Judge Parker, of
favorttism and the indirect levy Of tribute upon
the people by those who furnish tho siuevvs OF
war for campaigns Good old days. Good old
Parker!
OCEAN "ATrTOS,