Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-11-07
Trusts Continue Menace and No Rsspscer Of Parties

of striking for the American people in the
campaign which eliminated in Tuesdays election
that certain continue to be the greatest
individual liberty in the United States and that they
o respecter of political parties.
beginning of the active campaign for the
presidency. certain leading republicans largely interested in
recognized conessedy looking the
nomination of Governor Harmon of Ohio, democrat of the
Cleveland school their chief hope The ground of that hope
be found in the fact that Governor Harmon had served
the boards of various corporations with them and they knew
On the other hand investigation of the Senate COM
mee into campaign contributions and election funds disclosed
the fact that not few of the trust had contributed to
more than one party the odme pncple that it is well to
have more than one string to ones bow
The general conclusion be drawn this combination
OF evidence is that the keep their hands
on the lever of national legislation and national administrations
SO far as possible matter what party power what in
divla is at the head of federal On SINH
lar principle law firms for years made point have
members of both political firms represented in their offices
that no matter which party concerned they might stand
better chance of being Gin the swim of events and have
certainty of large income than would be possible
exclusively to political organization.
Recent political developments have pretty concluvcy dem
onsrated however that the trusts plan further than for
ry and to put themselves IN position to dictate strongly
than ever to the party that happens to be in control of the
eminent for the time being
me present plan of the trusts manifesty manip
late politics to enable themselves hold the balance power
If they to president of the United States say IF
you prosecute will defeat you for reelection that
thing If they to congressman If party is
enough to defeat still another party you
TO overcome that is but another thing tending to strengthen
their ability to dictate to public and through public
wants to dictate to the people themselves.
Instead OF debating to public servants they would begin by
debating to the people the choice of public which
still and far dangerous to the people
Hitherto the and the big able to
do their work in secret and the extent which their representa-
ves have contributed to all the leading parties the
nation Fear of exposure and the belief publicity
serve to counerac their work and the people
against them formerly served part check upon their
tvites
With the shifting of forces situation has
come trust opportunity and creator for the ndvd
ua Formerly already inlcatcd the magnatc
that II people found out he giving help elect
certain candidate the people would candidate
Under present conditions the corporation may give
dvduay and they fortified in giving by the knowledge
that they point to their published contributions evidences
of their esire to help deservn" and help people
self rule whether their candidates be Black White
Brown.
During the present campaign certain process
in relation to liberation of big giving has been and
of the extensive publishers
the country has say
difference where the money for campaigns from
long as it is expended properly.
1t makes all the difference in the world to the
and that means the great majority of where campaign
fund comes FROM particularly if it magnates
VINO are interested in the formation of gigantic monopoes that
defy the people
If the trusts step up president governor of
State or national legislator and If YOU contrary
our interests will spend enough defeat you
chance has ordinary unlimited financial
and all which such backing signifies through the
tions of business. transportation and finance?
The fact that the people through their representatives
III Congress and their president prohibited other
poratons from contributing to campaign funds demonstrated the
nature and extent of the menace aimed at.
What difference does it make whether Rockefeller gives in
ovduay through the Standard Oil company candi-
dates fund?
The experiences of the campaign just closed have
straed at the people have not succeeded emedying the
evil but have simply changed the method of giving the
meantime have made possible for put the
cloak OF and respectable giving thus increasing
sidious nature of the menace
From this time the people become disabse of
Idea so nslstenty disseminated the
makes no difference where campaign funds from
ssent campaign of education will be absolutely
accomplish this result
The people of Vermont have become thoroughly
to the dangers of campaign for the govenosp
other offices that dare undertake such campaign
this time Senator's and in general longer
spend money by the wholesale
We neet to cultivate the public opinion, only
Vermont but also throughout the nation regard
dency of the United States
Why should candidate for the chief magistray
ton be exempt from the moral restraints regards
campaign which insist throwing round
and ohe public of the national
lawmakers?
Through such a public sentiment alone shall find freedom
the of the
contributions by trusts composed of financial giving
ndvdualy' and for the alleged of the people
not serxe 10 ehann0 . A.