Collis Huntington
Henry George: Political
Dangers (Chapter 2 of Social Problems,
1883)
[16] As for the great railroad managers, they may well say, "The people
be d--d!" When they want the power of the people they buy the people's
masters. The map of the United States is colored to show States and Territories.
A map of real political powers would ignore State lines. Here would be a big
patch representing the domains of Vanderbilt; there Jay Gould's dominions would
be brightly marked. In another place would be set off the empire of Stanford
and Huntington; in another the newer empire of Henry Villard. The States and
parts of States that own the sway of the Pennsylvania Central would be distinguished
from those ruled by the Baltimore and Ohio; and so on. In our National Senate,
sovereign members of the Union are supposed to be represented; but what are
more truly represented are railroad kings and great moneyed interests, though
occasionally a jobber from Nevada or Colorado, not inimical to the ruling
powers, is suffered to buy himself a seat for glory. And the Bench as well
as the Senate is being filled with corporation henchmen. A railroad king makes
his attorney a judge of last resort, as the great lord used to make his chaplain
a bishop. ... read the entire essay
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