Yes, the trusts are doing well. It is easy for anybody to make money if he controls the buying and selling price of an article the people must have. It may be a little surprising, though, to some, to learn that the trusts are faring even better now than heretofore.—The Missouri World.
We wish well of every public man who resolutely tries to do his duty. It matters not what political party he may affiliate with, if he is a friend of the people, we give him our word of encouragement and Godspeed. Among Democrats we find some notable examples of progressive statesmanship and some advocates of reform. The Republican Party is not without some public men whose works and words give evidence of a desire to stand for the best type of popular government. Yet every reformer in the Republican or Democratic Party has to spend too much time, energy and ammunition in fighting the enemies within the ranks of his own party. Mr. Bryan will wear his life out in trying to overcome his enemies in the so-called Democratic Party just as John P. Altgeld wore his life away. Governor La Follette always has war on his hands with the corporation element in his own party. And now that Mr. Roosevelt has outlined a radical course, he is beset by powerful opposition from high-up Republican politicians who represent special interests. He will not succeed in accomplishing much so long as all his energy is taken up in fighting the enemy at home. The very logic of events will force the radical reformers all into one party, and then the people will have something to hope for.—The Kansas Commoner.
Politeness is the external part of gentility, but it is often the principal weapon of rascality. A rude rascal is never as dangerous as a polite one.—The Seattle Patriarch.
Kansas will find it a big job fighting the Standard Oil trust, so long as the trust is in the national banking business and controls the means of transportation. Still, the people of Kansas, co-operating through their state government, can make it hot for the trust. The state can put $20,000,000 into the fight, and with this sum can build railroads, lay pipe lines and establish dozens of oil refineries. Twenty million dollars is a big sum, but is no more than the people of Kansas pay in national taxes every two years.—The Missouri World.
The magazines and big dailies are doing the country a great service. They have writers of ability; apparently these have long chafed under the galling chains of party manacles and are now glad to be free—glad to try their strength and exercise their taste and talents. Populists should secure every advantage possible, strengthen their organizations, keep these patriots closely in touch, and at every possible point be ready should a reaction come.
Again and again we have seen great waves of reform sweep over the land, and again and again we have seen the monopolists catch a second breath, spit on their hands and tie these good men down with party thongs and convention rules and resolutions.