The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-22
Midnight Legislation for John Roach.

JOHN Roach has boosted that when no
wants n pig of iron he buys it and pays cash,
and that when he needs n man he buys him
and pays cash. Year after year this pur-
chaser OF men has gone to Washing
ton with full pockets and number
less paid lobbyists, and attempted to
bride, caIole, or trick Congress into voting
him gratuity OF millions OF dollars out OF
the public treasury. Year before last no
endeavorcd 10 snuggle his mpudent job
through Congress as an amendment to tho
Post Onice Appropriation BILL but was de-
feated In the House by the watchfulness OF
HOLMAN OF Indiana. Last May he tried tho
same trick at the other end Of the Capitol
His defeat in the Senate was chiefly due to Mr..
EDMUNDs OF Vermont who made the point
Of order that the amendment was of the
nature Of general legislation and under tho
rules could not be added TO general appro-
prlatlon bill. Mr.. EDMUNDs was sustained
by vote OF 80 to 49, and RoAcH's job, for
the rest OF that session, at least was driven
out Of the dark into the light, where it was
summarily disposed OF by the House, a
month later.
This year Roach has worked altogether
in the dark. II there is any reason why
Congress should single out this one deaf
persistent, irrepressible beggar from among
The millions OF citizens who are endeavoring
TO earn livelihood by means OF the talents
which heaven has given them, and tax the
people to swell the profits OF his individual
business, that reason should be presented on
its merits, discussed on its merits, and dis
posed OF on its merits. But experience
has taught JOHN ROACH that his jobs do not
thrive in the sunlight. Since Congress met
in December he has given all his time, not
to the presentment OF his subsidy scheme as
fair and open measure OF public policy, but
10 the acquisition OF votes by methods which
no man understands better or has practised
more successfully than himself. He man
aged TO have his swindle reported
for the third time as an amendment
TO an appropriation bill, in such shape that
II passed by the Senate its defeat in the
House would threaten the whole postal SER
vice OF the country for the year to come.
The same point OF order that blocked this
game last May was raised day before yes
terday; but the vote on the point Of order
showed that ROACH has won for his Job the
support OF several Senators who opposed 1t
eight months ago.
The names OF the men who have been con-
WINGED in that brief space of time by the
arguments which JOHN ROACH has whis-
pored in their ears in dark corners OF the
lobby and out-of-the-way places should be
read and remembered. They are ANTHONY,
BURNSIDE. HILL. INGALLS,. JONES Of Florida,
LAMAR, and WINDOW.
number of amendments unsatisfactory
TO Roach were voted down by his friends in
the Senate; and at midnight by vote OF 20
20 IT, his job was attached to a general
appropriation bill. BLAINE, who has been
the foremost promoter OF RoAcH's interests,
did not care TO put his name on record on
the final vote, and CoNKLISG, who was
willing TO see the subsidy experiment
fairly tried" went to bed in season to escape
the same Inconvenience.
The vote OF the Senate, saddling on the
Post Office bill shameless and time-ds-
honored scheme OF plumber, does not affect
in any degree the plain duty OF tho House.
One hundred and seventy-eight members OF
the lower branch stand on the record
pledged not to vote for any subsidy in
any shape II they keep that pledge
RoAcH's job cannot succeed. They will
be told, no doubt, that they will
cripple the mails IL they refuse TO
pass the Post Office bill as amended by the
Senate. Let the mails be crippled then
the responsibility rests with the job mongers
in the upper branch. 1t is better that the
people should send their letters by express
for while, or carry them themselves afoot,
than that straight and easy road to the
Treasury door should be provided for every
plunderer who has mind TO adopt JOHN
RoAcH's methods.