The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-11-08
PARKER SAYS ISSUE WAS
NOT MET BY ROOSEVELT

tegrity of our government, deaving IL
a republic in form, but not repub-
lie in substance, no longer a govern
ment Of the people, by The people, for
the people, but a government whose
officers are practically chosen by n
handful of corporate managers who
levy upon the assets Of the stock
holders they represent such sums Of
money as they deem requisite to
place the conduct of the government
in such hands as they consider best
for their private interests.
Some of the enterprises which have
unduly thrived through favoritism,
and which have been permitted by
statute to indirectly levy tribute upon
the people, have in the course of time
become so rich and strong that they
can and do contribute vast sums,
when it is made clear that, it will be
an advantage TO 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 contributions
have been not infrequently made IN
such large measure as to induce and
procure colonization, repeating and
bribery in doubtful states.
This has built up a class of voters
known to local leaders as 'foaters,' a
class so numerous that party canvass
Eers allOt to them in their canvass
books a separate column headed with
that name. This condition is recog-
nized by party workers, local, state and
national. They are no longer shocked
by it. 1t has become so prevalent that
they are becoming hardened to it.
The excessively protected interests,
which formerly poured out their treas
ure in order to continue existing and
procure the passage of new laws per-
hitting its further accumulation, have
been Joined by the combinations pop
ularly called trusts. Their plan is to
perpetuate the present administra ton.
Such of the combinations or trusts
as do not profit by the aid of the tar
IF secure their profits by the eXer-
else of monopolies. Hence their Off
GERS are opposed to the enforcement
of law as against them.
when suhc forces unite to furnish
the money which they are promised
Will control %he election, their pur-
pose is as clear as monday. 1t is to
buy protection, to purchase four years
more of profit by tariff taxation and
foud years more of extortion, from
the public by means of monopoly.
political contributions by corpora
tions and trusts mean corruption,
They cannot be honest. Merely buSi-
ness interests are moved by merely
business considerations. A corporation
subscribes to a political party only be-
cause the corporation expects that
party, through its control of public
of6cers-executive or legislative-to do
something for the benefit of the cor
| podation, or 10 refrain from doing
something to it's injury. No other mo-
+! tive can be imagined. In the nature
of things no other motive can exist.
The relations established mean the
expectation, if not an agreement, ac-
tual or implied, that governmental ac-
ton is to be Influenced by and for
corporation interests. No sophistry
can give any other aspect to the trans
action in the minds of reasonable men
Let the defenders of the practice, if it
has defenders, answer these questions:
tWuy 10 COTpOTdllOHS dIQ
subscribe to political campaigns?
What would a trust think of a
party which, after accepting from the
trust campaign contribution OF
$500, 200, should permit the party's rep
resentative in office, to take action
inimical to the trusts?
< Would the public interests be safe
in the hands Of a party, the greater
part of whose campaign funds had
been contributed by corporations and
trusts?
/, IF the public welfare and the inter
ests of subscribing corporation OF
trust should conflict, which would
likely be protected?
The scheme of our government op-
poses favoritism, but in it's admin
istration there has been much. of it
Indeed, it has been growing with such
rapidity in recent years that these
few that have enjoyed favors. con-
tributed either direct by statue or in
directly by the non-prosecution of vio
lations of law, represent, control and
are possessed of many hundreds o
millions of dollars. These interest:
have decided to attempt to continue
the present administration in power
Their representatives scolded abou
! the President for some months, anC
thus contributed their part toward tn,
effort which was assiduously made t
satisfy the country that the trust!
were opposed to the present admin
istration.
whether there were real Difficult
ties between these great powers ant
the administration, difficulties wkicl
have since been settled to the salts
faction of all parties concerned o
whether there were no difficulties t
be compromised and adjusted, thei
action being but a play to deceive tn
voters. the fact remains that tn
trusts are not now opposed to tn
continuance Of the present admins
tration. On the contrary, it is common
knowledge that they have determine