The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1910-06-17
AN AUTOCRACY OF CASH.

tudt thio 10 lCPuOiiS III "hASA tA-~ f~O
pie are sovereigns and rule without re-
straint
But the debauchery OF the Illinois
legislature by those interested in the
election of William Lorimer to the
United States Senate, aud recently
brought TO light through the confessions
of purchased legislators-this, and the
charges of attempted debauchery OF the
electorate in the recent Senatorial con-
test in our own state, must lead the think
ing to question If the government is not
really an autocracy of cash.
True, the charges of attempted de-
bauching of the electorate in our own
state are only charges. They are not
proven, but there are some things one
may know and yet not be able TO prove,
In the Lorimer case it is different, and
it will probably be an easy matter TO
prove that Lorimer votes were purchased.
Indeed, several men have already wreck
ed their political careers by confessing
that they did accept Lorimer money for
Lorimer votes. From Mr.. Lorimer! Oh,
no. The interests most active in get
ting Mr.. Lorimer into the senate knew
better than to let Mr.. Lorimer have a
hand in the deal. Mr. Lorimer himself
knew better than TO do anything like that,
There is not the slightest evidence to
Indicate that every Lorimer vote was
purchased. 1t may even be true that il
every purchased vote could be thrown
out that there would still be clean ma
jority for Mr.. Lorimer. But this much
cannot be gainsaid, that the purchased
votes, starting the tongues of the pur-
chased men talking for Mr.. Lorimer,
probably had much to do with starting
many an unpurchasable man thinking
about Mr.. Lorimer, and so in turn start
ing sort OF psychologist boom in MIR.
Lorimer's behalf. In any case Mr.. Lori
mer is the beneficiary of rotten game.
The greater part of the money which
it is freely charged, and which few can
doubt, was spent in Florida during the
nssi six weeks TO promote the re-elec-
ton OF Mr. Taliaferro, was not MIR. Tai
iaferro's money. 1t was given by those
corporate interests which hoped to profit
by his election. Ii was not given from
motives of patriotism. 1t was given that
the natural will of the people might be
overcome or altered
The scheme failed because the great
mass OF the people were awakened TO
the true state of facts in time.
But it is by these methods that the ma
ton is polluted. 1t is by these methods
that the great corporations enthrone
themselves as our real rulers.
1t is to the unutterable shame of the
people themselves that this is true. The
bribed is as bad as the briber.
We bitterly complain of legislatures
selling out 10 corporations. What right
have we to complain against corrupt leg
is.atures when our owa ward or pre-
clnct is controlled by cash; Is it not
natural and logical that corruption should
be represented by corruplion2
In the practice Of buying and selling
votes, or Influence" at the polls and in
the legislature, lies the most daStardly
treason under the sun.
The crime is not partisan. 1t is not con
fined TO the great corporations. Smaller
business men contribute to the great
corruption funds in accordance with
their means. The practice has perme.
ated our whole political life. The pub
lie conscience has in a measure become
deadened to its direful effects.
1t is only on occasions, such as in the
big life insurance scandals of five years
ago, where admission is made of an
enormous contribution of the money OF
the people, held in trust, that the public
at large begins to sit up and take notice.
Then the astounding fact that our own
money has been used to bride US, sort
o Jars US out of our complacency.
There ought to be a remedy, and there
mutt he. The problem is big one, a
vital one, pressing one.