The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-09-19
Judge Parker's Warning.

. As (. ~ /.
Judge Parker's Warning.
One OF the most Interesting features Of
Mondays Times Dispatch wns the state
ment given out by Judge Alton B. Parker,
commenting upon the confession recently
made BY Mr.. George W. Perkins, that
the New York Life Insurance Company
had contributed nearly $4,000 to the ma
Ktionnl Republican campaign fund.
When Judge Parker was a candidate for
the presidency last fall. he boldly charged
that the corporations were in partner
ship with the Republican party; We're
contributing Literally to the campaign
fund OF that party with the unuerstand-
ing that IL that party should win the
interests of the corporations would be
protected. Judge Parker was called upon
to produce proof, but that was hard to
Z do. We know a great many things in this
world that we cannot prove by sworn
testimony. Judge Parker was morally
sure Of tho truthfuness of his CHARGE Or
he would not have made It. and the con-
fession of Mr.. Perkins now, In part at
least, substantlates It, MIR. Perkins salu
that 1t was "busncss' for his company
tc assist the National Republican Com
lnIttce, for the reason that In the opinion
or the directors. Democratic success
would be Injurious to the company's In
tercst, and SO as Il cold-blooded PROPOSE
ton, without reference to any of the
great principles OF government involved in
an election of this character, Mr. Per
kins and his associates came down with
the cash to assist the party whose sue
cess would advance their financial in
tercsts 3an
This leads Judge Parker to remark that
there ore many. financiers and captains Of
Industry so-called, who have no political
convictions that stand in the way Of
their personal advantage. That sounds
Il harsh saying, but, much as we hate
to admit it, we have long been convinced
that the saying is true. There arc men
their own personal affairs that they can
not see beyond their own interests and
they advocate this public measure or. man
and oppose that public measure or man
according as their personal advantage is
involved. They do not consider the pub
lie welfare. They do not consider the
greatest good to the greatest number.
They consider their own personal well
fare and the greatest good Ito them
selves Judge Parker we'll says that men
of that type have no political convictions
that stand In the way of their personal
advantage Wo do not charge that all
such men are corrupt and that all such
men will use their money to debauch the
suffrage but they Will undoubtedly use
their best influence to carry their point
without regard to any question of political
principle or the interest Of the general
public, and they will contribute their
money to a campaign fund without maxi
ing any. condition, save that It will be
used to advantage, and they console the'l-
selves with the sophistry that they con-
at,butcd with honest Intentions, and that
IL tho money is corruptly used by those
to whom 1t Is committed. i, is none Of
their affair,
If men of that type are permitted to
control the government, what Is to be-
come OF the plain peopleY And what Is
to become Of political principles and pa
trIotism? Put thank God the great Amer
lean people, tho honest plain people, think
that there is something better than
"busIness' and good government Is more
10 be desired than big profits of corpora
ticns.
The people rule IL they will and they
must ADOPT some sure means OF prevent
Ing partnerships and bargains between
the rich corporations and the govern
ment. by which. In return for favors
granted. fayors will be received.
Lei ina, become the settled policy OF
our government and It Will NOT be long
| before ,>lare VIII be no government "a
make bargains, for 1t win end In rcyolu-
| ton.