Political Reform by T. L. Cuyler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 7, 1871

Political Reform.

By T. L. Cuyler

THE wisest and best men of this State are becoming alarmed at the political dangers that threaten us. They have too good reason for the very worst apprehensions. The “Empire State” is fast becoming ruled by its great cities, and its great cities are being ruled by the vicious and dangerous classes.

Huge and horrible facts are continually being brought to the surface to warrant the worst fears of every honest Christian citizen. It is a terrible fact that the elections in New York and Brooklyn have become so wicked a farce through the devices of ballot-box stuffers and repeaters, that the interposition of Congress has been invoked to protect the purity of suffrage—with what success remains to be seen. It is a terrible fact that the election of such men as Wm. E. Dodge or ex-Mayor Lambert to be the chief-magistracy of New York or Brooklyn, is now recounted as an utter impossibility.

It is a terrible fact that the choice of nearly all our functionaries is really controlled in the dram shops. It is a terrible fact that the Romanists receive about everything they demand—whether it be immunity in an “Elm Park Riot,” or an appropriation of public moneys to a sectarian institution. It is a terrible fact that human life is becoming fearfully insecure; and justice is bought and sold in the city court-rooms. It is a terrible fact that laws for closing dens of debauchery on God’s day are openly set at defiance. It is a terrible fact that legislators in our city halls and in the State Capitol are bought up at so much per head, like bullocks in the shambles. For how else under the sun could men get rich by legislation at three or four dollars a day?—T. L. Cuyler, D. D.