The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1880-04-27
TINE SOUTH KEhTUCkIAH.
ADVERTISING RATE.
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, April q, 1850.

WASHINGTON, April 81, 1850.
The subject OF riders on appropria-
tion bills has agitatet the Republican
mind again during the last week, aud
the House has pretty much given it
self up to one-sided discussion Of it.
The Army appropriation bill has fin
ally passed, however, with the "rider"
prohibiting the use OF troops to in
timidaie voters at the polls. This
provision is the same one agreed to at
the extra session, for last year, voted
for by over twenty Republicans. ami
approved by the acting president, Mr..
Hayes. But for the purpose Of. get
ting up political discussion out of
which they hoped III SOME way to de-
rive a party advantages, the Republi.
cans made a fight against this ne.
striction now. basing their opposition
chiefly on the groundofantagonism to
.nilers.' The debate has been all On
one side because the Democrats de-
clined to be drawn into a foolish dis
cussion which would, at best, be 60
ing over ground thoroughly develop
ed several months ago. SO they let
the Radicals do all the talking to
empty benches. while they took to the
cloak rooms. This policy worked
well. Such debate as that is not
very exciting and can not last very
long, and after all the mouths on the
other side had been Tired off ftho rlem-
ocrats put forward Gen, Ewing to
answer them in singlc spcech--and
then passed the bill. l.,-.,,7.as
Its really pity about this, Re
publican antipathy to "riders," as
they call them. There were only 3S7
riders put on appropriation bilB'by
that party when they controlled btth
houses Of Congress. and among them
were Some huge jobs and fobberics
and many ourages onthe constitution.
Dcmocractic "riders,Y without exeep
tion, have been in the directien,of
economy and constitutional govern
ment. There is no issue on which
the Democratic party can better afford
an appeal TO the, people than the
"rider" question. The Democratic
record in this regard will, in all time
to come be cited as conclusive proof Of
the party's devotion to those great
principles which are the basis of free
government. The contrast between
the Republican and Democratic re-
cords in this matter is high tribute
to that calm, moderate, hut, rdetermin-
ed spirit Of resistance to wrong which
has characterized the conduct of the
party since it became responsible for
the act of the peoples branch Of Con
grcss. The Army bill as passed. con-
tains the restriction against the use Of
troops at the polls. and also Mr.. Hsrd's
proviso that nothing in the bill shall
be held to prevent the use ofLthc mill
tary by the President under the Con-
stitution to suppress domestic violence
when called upon by the Governors
Of States or by the Legislature when
in session. ut is so fair and right that
the fraudulent President can not re-
fuse to sign it. t..jf..,5fsa, "a
The President OF the Panama Rail
road Company has lately been before
the House Post Office Committee ar
guing on the impossibility of Aneri-
can steamship lines entering into
competition with English lines for tho
trade of South America. Mr. Park
says that were the Panama Railroad
Company to build fleet of eight
steam ships to do their carrying trade
with thewest coast. the'iirst cost of
these vessels would be $1,000. 600
greater ttan if built in England, while
the enhanced cost Of insurance, man
agement, wages, etc., would leave the
American company unable TO pay di-
vidends on an income which would
ycild the English company a veiy
handsome return on their capital. If
Mr.. Park intends these statements as
preface to plea for steamship sub
sides, the obvious reply would be
that he has mistaken his remedy. 1t
every branch of business that suffers
from overprotection is to have the
Government supply 1t with funds
enough to place it on cqnal terms with
foreign competition, the Treasury
would become very cumbrous and
costly machine for the disbursement
with one hand Of the money collected
with the other. The simple remedy
for steamship owners, as for other
American traders, who want to be
equipped for competition on equal
terms with the foreigner. is to demand
the right to buy ships and the materials
for making ships as cheaply as their
competitors. Further thanthis, Mr..
Park. Mr.. Roach. and all other sub
sidy seekers, willlfni before long. il
they have not already, that a Demo-
cratic Congress is not the place Tor
them to apply to get fat slices frn,n
the Treasury. They shoull have
beer around when Mr.. Blaine was
Speaker; when stocks and bonds were
legal tender among congressman, and
when the era of good stealing was
still on. Mulligan aud Oakes Ames
and lot of other fellows made hay
in the sunshine Of those days.
PHoNo.,