)a?.5i 3VJ3 015 988 521 5 • Hollinger Corp pH 8.5 Copyright, 1886, by Mamie Lukk Wmmi "gUn? SOMETHING ALL MEN SHOULD PONDER. -:-BY-:— nVC^^nVCIE LXTISZE yjHEN Senators and Congressmen accept large " blocks of stocks,'' From those who claim their services in payment for these "blocks,'' What then ? When shape they legislation in the halls of Congress there. According to the influence of gold or promise fair, What then ? When Legislators of the State to bribes are open wide. And people's rights are ever then thrust ruthlessly aside, What then ? When they will work with might and main, and throw a solid vote In favor of monopolies that clutch the public throat, What then ? When Judges on the Bench have for the rich one sort of law, And for the poor another sort on which they ever draw. What then ? When, hand and glove with cormorants who rule by might of gold, They render such decisions as leave justice in the cold, What then ? When Mayors of cities, posing as " reformers " on their way. Accept illegal interest — say cent per cent a day — What then ? When Aldermen, those city pets, sell park, and square and street, To avaricious railroad Sharps, and pocket " sugar" sweet. What then ? When Presidents of banks will league with " financiers " like Ward, In hopes of speedy fortunes great, regardless, quite, of fraud. What then ? When such become, through greed of gain, unmindful of their trusts. Sail in for riches coveted, urged on by golden lusts, What then ? When Trustees violate their trusts, the lickle goddess woo, And, losing, rob the widowed one. and orphaned childhood too, What then? When high officials, everywhere, will plot and " job " and " deal," With this and that and t'other clique — I might as well say steal — What then ? When Politicians openly attest the power of '• soap.'' Against their adversaries strong, with whom they have to cope. What then ? When Editors are subsidized, their leading colums ope To grasping bodies corporate that would enlarge their scope, What then ? When favor they monopolies, help on their many fights, With trenchant pens and powerful, nor care for people's rights, What then ? When eminent Divines will preach to please their wealthy flocks. Their holdings but regarding, and the " pocketing of rocks," What then ? When they will go astray, and wide, as laymen do at large, Forget all truth and sanctity, betray their sacred charge. What then ? When Merchants, rated number one, with reputations high. The Government of duties cheat, nor hesitate to lie, What then ? When lead in statues they import — " fine art" light duty pays- Yet stand in monumental brass w^hen ended are their days. What then ? When " Operators" like Jay Gould, a hundred millions gain. By ways and means extremely dark, and tricks that are not vain, What then ? When now the rich grow richer, and the poor grow poorer, all, The few men gain the millions, and the masses starve and fall. What then ? What then, when all the trusted ones are striving hard for pelf? Go read and learn in History, which e'er repeats itself ! Go read ! What then ? Red Revolution dire will spread her gory sails. And Anarchy vv^ill steer the ship to ruin in the gales I Beware I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS -*-< 015 988 521 5 • POETICAL ADVERTISEMENTS, AND OTHER WRITING, Address MAMIE LUKE, Station S, Brooklyn, N. Y. "e) (5" 015 988 521 5 HoUinger C pH 8.5 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ■HP. 015 988 521 5 • HoUinger Corp. r>H AS