New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-02
SUBSIDIES.

Does the Democratic caucus mean 10 meet
the subsidy raid fairly, and make an end OF
it. before proceeding to nominations! We
agree with The Evening Post that the de-
cision of the Supreme Court In the Union
Pacific Railroad case is timely warning against
these subsidies. That decision has laid upon
the country an enormous burden which 1t must
continue to bear for many years, ana at the
same time 1t has inhamed the cupidity and
raised the hopes Of a large number oil subsidy
schemers who are meditatiDg attacks OF Their
own. The Southern Pacific combination under
Col. Thomas A. Scott is the most formidable
and rapacious of these. Ii has an enormous
sum OF money at stake it has effected power
full political alliances and we have no doubt it
feels prepared to buy up Congressman enough
TO carry whatever legislation it demands
1t is already boasted-we hope without war
rant-that the prospective Speaker is "Tom
"Scott's man." and there are not wanting
those who believe that the House of Repre-
sentltivcs Is already fixed. At any rate, Col
Scott-who used to control the Pennsylvania
Legislature so absolutely that, as Wendell
Phillips says, members would rise, toward the
close of the session, and move that las Tom
"ScOtt has no further business for us, this
legislature do now adjourn"-has trans
feIrcd his labors to Washington, has
opened his elegant apartments Is busy " see
ingn members, and is ready for the transact
ton of business. He makes no sort OF secret
Of his purpose to get from Congress guaran-
tee of interest to the amount OF about
! $234, 100000.
IL does not seem needful TO say one word
AS 10 the merits of Col. SCOTS scheme.
| Congress pronounced on that point last year.,
and It's utterancc was far less emphatic than
that of the people The press fairly repre-
sents the general Judgment. in this
city it is practically unanimous. We
know of no paper here which dissents
from the view thus stated by The journal Of
| Commerce: "On grounds Of policy and ex-
"pediency alone-irrespectve of the disagree
able experiences which the Government has
chad with the other subsidized Pacific roads
" the Texas and Pacific route does not merit
Irrational aid. The only safe way TO avoid
"such difficulties as the Supreme Court has
"settled at the expense Of the people is to
grant no more subsidies whatever. If Con-
" eress will put its foot fatty down just there,
" we VIII bear with all possible cquaninity the
! costly burdens Of the past"
Now it behOOyes the people TO watch these
raiders closely and TO watch the Democratic
party in its dealings with them. One would
suppose that in the present condition Of this
oyoIta&ed country 10 politician with brains
enough to get into Congress would think of
| fayoring such an outrageous scheme; bat 1t Is
| hard TO set limits to the folly OF the DcmOc-
racy, and therefore we say, watch 1t. Let Us
see how the subsidy schcmers fare in tho
| Democratic caucus 1t is there that they Will
probably make their first demonstration. here
/ thew can be completely defeated if the Demo
cratic members have shewdnoss enough to
! see what the people ask of them and honesty
/ enough to give it. Before they proceed to the
nomination of Speaker, let them pledge the
party by resolution TO oppose all subsidies
whatever; grants for railways, steamships,
! telegraph lines, all manner Of private enter
prises.-we have had enough Of them. The
country has lost patience at this continual
drain upon the Treasury and the corruption
which inevitably goes with it, and the general
voice demands that it shall stop right here.
Let us see whether, at the opening OF. the
session which is to decide the Presidency, the
! Democrats are able to hear that voice, or
whether Col. Scott has already stopped their
ears. Their caucus will tell the story.