The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-04-23
eUBsIDIZING CONGRESS.

We are gsd to see the leading Demo
cratic papers of the country firm and un-
yielding in their opposition to all of the
schemes which would pledge either the
money or credit of the nation to the use
Ct any corporation whatever. Oar Ma
tional Convention at ST. Louis declared
emphatically against al government
subsidies to railroad rings, aid pre-
cediLg that, the Democratic State
Convention of West Virginia did the
same thing. Recently the labor Con
ven,ions throughout the country have
followed the Just lead of the Democracy
in this regard, and have all declared
their unreeutiug opposition to every
thing Of the kind. These are not idle
declarations. The sentiment that in
spiroI them is deep.seated and earnest
oua. No public man will dare set it at
defiance. The people have been robbed,
ard pluudered by their public servants
until their hearts are sick, and they have
been aroused TO desperate earnestness.
The Congressman who shall be more
influenced by the corrupt lobby of an
interruptions rng than by the wishes
OF his constituents, will hear some
.niug to bis advantage next November.
or one Of the most plausible Of these
schemes, the Washington Herald says:
Among the measures TO be avoided,
like cOutsgjon, the chief Is the forty
million subsidy Texas Pacific bill, which
has been placed on the calendar and by
some il il thought that its friends have
become so well satisfied OF the hopeless
ness q Its passage al the present session
that It will DO allowed TO sleep in peace
where it now rests; but TO the friends Of
reform, honesty, and good government
We would say that vigilance is the price
of liberty" and If this monstrous swlndle
Is defeated it will be necessary to De con-
stautIy on guard. There Is and has
been during the session, an immense
lobby working for the passage of the
bin, and, IS Mulberry Sellers says,
there's millions in tat least in prom
Iscs-besides every town from New Or
leaas TO ST. Louis is promised to be made
the eastern terminus OF the road, and
even Chicago Is included in the number.
1t is the last struggle Of desperate
game u rake the treasury OF the United
States for the benefit Of few individu-
uI, the odds, it is true, are largely
against its success, but IL will be most
surely defeated by looking the dangers
square in the face and by fully sppre-
cmlilg the interruptions force now at
work 10 carry It through,
We earnestly desire to see the Demo
cratic party successful in succeeding cleo
tions, and TO accomplish this object we
warn our Democratic friends that they
must be true 10 the pledges they have
made to the people. They have prom
ised "retrenchment and REFORM" they
have promised laws for the benefit Of the
whole people, and not for a privileged
lew; and in no sir Gle respect is tae party
more firmly pledged thsn 10 resist al
fresh subsidies for railroad companies
And the labor movement that Is sweep
Iug over the country, and is making
Great inrosds IN both the great political
parties, has with one accord pronounced
against subsidies Of this character.
We can hardly see how any member
of Congress can return to his constitu-
cn.s and account to them satisfactorily
Tor recording his vote IN favor Ct this
stupendous swiDdle. if he explains by
saving he desired 10 give the South Pa
clhc road, they will say TO him in reply:
Another company with seven hundred
and twenty miles of the most expensive
part of the road already built, offered TO
continue and complete true southern
road without costing the government q
dollar. If he Gays he wanted COM
p,ting road, they Will answer him
that company stood ready to build
the road and accept the same guards
and restrictions 10 secure the rights and
Interests OF the people that are provided
for in the Texss and Pacific bill, and his
constituents will probably 90 further and
ask him if this Col. Thomas a. Scott is
the same person who has been one OF the
most successful and ingenious railroad
operators in the United States in the way
OF forming combinations TO put up
freiChts and fares, and when informed
that he is the identical MAD, the member
Of Congress who votes Tor this iniquity
will probably be allowed to remain At
home by unanimous consent no matter to
which of the political parties he may be-
long.