402 INTRODUCTION. 



grown power, with its vast ramifications all over the 

 Union, and a hard grip on much of the political machinery 

 on the one hand, and the people in an unorganized condi- 

 tion on the other, for control of the government. It will 

 be watched by every patriot with intense anxiety. Great 

 corporations and consolidated monopolies are fast seizing 

 the javenues of power that lead to the control of the gov- 

 ernment. It is an open secret that they rule States 

 through procured Legislatures and corrupted courts; they 

 are strong in Congress, and that they are unscrupulous in 

 the use of means to conquer prejudice and acquire influ- 

 ence. This condition of things is truly alarming, for 

 unless it be changed quickly and thoroughly, free institu- 

 tions are doomed to be subverted by an oligarchy resting 

 upon a basis of money and of corporate power." Hon. 

 David Davis, formerly Judge of the Supreme Court of the 

 U. S. 



"In my judgment the Republic cannot live long in 

 the atmosphere which now surrounds the ballot box. 

 Moneyed corporations, to secure favorable legislation for 

 themselves are taking part in elections by furnishing large 

 sums of money to corrupt the voter and purchase special 

 privileges from the government. If money can control 

 the decision at the ballot box it will not be long until it 

 can control its existence." Governor Gray, of Indiana, 

 in his message to the Legislature. 



4 ( Amazed now at the power that corporations seem to 

 have to embarass necessary legal proceedings taken against 

 them; that the increase of the influence of corporations in 

 this country, and their ability to thwart the supervisory 

 proceedings taken against them by the public authorities 

 to prevent great ' monopolies or to subject them to proper 

 restraints, are among the most alarming characteristics of 

 the time, and constitute a danger to which all the people 



