The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-09-18
THERE ARE OTHERS.
Parker Says New York Life Was Not
Alone in Fight on Him.
The
Big
Store

Esopus, N. z, Sept. 1S.-Former
Judge Alton B. Parker, last year the
Democratic candidate for president of
the United States, today referred to the
charges made by him in his presiden-.
tiaI campaign last fall, that corpora
ton funds were being used in aid of
the Republican campaign. To a cor
respondent of the Associated Press
who called at Rosemount, Judge Par
ker's home and asked him if he had
anything to say in relation to the
statement made by Vice President
George w. Perkins of the New York
Life Insurance company before the
legislative committee investigating the
insurance business, to the effect that
President John A. Mccall of that COM
pany had caused contribution of
$4,000 to be made last year to the
Republican national campaign fund
Judge Parker said:
Yes, I believe I ought to say, now
that there is no political excitement
to distract the public attention, that
the president of the New York Life
was not the only subscriber. The Off
GERS of other great life insurance
companies such as the Equitable and
the Mutual also contributed from the
policyholders' funds for campaign
purposes last year.
Used to Corrupt Ballot.
What has been proved in the case
of the New York Life will probably be
proved in the other cases. The facts
exist, and honest and able counsel, back
ed by an honest committee will I'M
doubtedly bring them out for the pub
lie good.
Were there an investigation of rail-
road, manufacturing and other corpora
lions, it would be found that these life
insurance officers were not the only cor
poration officers who put their hands
into the treasury and took out money
belonging to widows and orphans to
help secure a partisan triumph.
That their acts were unlawful, and
their purposes corrupt, goes without say
ing. They intended to have the money
used, as it was in corrupting the cleo
torate. Mr. Perkins makes the point
that Mr.. John A. Mccall, the president
of the New York Life, is a Democrat.
Apparently he would have the public
assume that when Mccall unlawfulIy
and wrongfu1ly contributed these funds
the companys share probably as a
member Of the underwriting syndicate
1t was evidence of political virtue rath-
er than misconduct.
1.-The truth about it is, and I say it
without feeling, but emphatically that
men like Mccall have no political con-
victions that stand in the way of their
personal advantage. Such men desire
the triumph of that party which will
better serve their personal financial in
terests, and will-for contributions past.
present and future-continue to protect
those interests by 1enient legislation and
by pretense at execution of law which
shall be tenderly blind to all their Of
lenses.
Always Expect F'avors.
''That party they espouse in the board
room, and contribute to it of the mon
eys they hold in trust, and occasionally
q little of their own. The underlying
principles which divide the great mass
of the people into parties have no eff
feet upon such men. Their own in
quiry is, will the party organization in
its hour of triumph remember our gen.
erosity, and respond to our demands
OF course the organization does remem-
Der, for it expects similar contribution
next time. And the expectation is not
IN vain. Last year was not the first
time. Such contributions had beer
made before in national, state and
municipal elections.
The officers responsible for these
raids upon treasures of corporations
have received their reward in unfettere6
management of life insurance corpora
tons; in unembarrassed raids upon the
public through trusts-condemned by
both common and statute law; in re
fusal to punish criTninally the officer.
of railroad and other corporations VIC
lating the laws; and in statutory per
mission to manufacturing corporation
- levy tribute on the people.
There can be no hope of checking tn,
unlawful aggressions of officers of grea
corporations, so long as they may thu
form q quasi-partnership with the or
ganization Of the dominant politica
party. For in the hour when the ad
ministrative official seeks to punish tn
offender he is reminded by the head O
the organization of the magnitude O
the contributions of the corporation.
Claims No Virtue For Democrats.
There is, however, somethin
worse, if possible, than the escape @
such offenders from justice. It is tn
gradual generalization of voters an
the dulling of the public conscienc
caused by the efforts to make the vas
sums of money procure the ballot
they were intended to procure cor
ruptly or otherwise.
att is not my purpose to claim tha
the Democratic party, subjected to tn
temptation which has overcome tn
other party during the last few years
would have acted differently. Mer