The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-03-01
TIE RISING TIDE.

Congressional JObbery on the Rise-4p-
proac ing the High Republican Water
Marx of 1873.
A recent Washington special to the New
York Sun says:
Seeor Robson and his confedera.eS IN the
House have been exercised as 70 the most elect
i've method OF bringing forward their scheme Tor
subsidies. Members OF the Committees on Navai
Affairs on Commerce and on POstofices have
conferred and the plan is to report bill for sub
sidizing ocean mail service BIZ steam, on the DASH
of that now allowed 10 railroads This scheme i
really the invention of John Roach, and Il has
long been advocated by him.
IRE Combination for subsidies is strong and
both branches of Congress may be said 70 be or
eanized in their interest That is TO say, the Com
nlittees are plainly packed to favor jObosry, anS
nothing but the threats Of public exposure such
o. happened when the Thurman act was driven
through the Senate in the face Of msjorlty
pledged against IL, viii prevent the success Of
several large projects of plumber.
These jObbers do not expect to pass any Bit
pure and simple. on its own merits But whet
their scheme Is got in shape before the Hons.
they intend to mount IL as u rider on one OF The
appropriations, and finally, in case of unexpected
Opposition, to fall back on the Committees Of
Eecar Robson has the game in mis- own hands.
He is the real leader on the Republican de. ana
lie IS n0l abashed by his recent defeat In attempt.
ing 10 enlarge the Committees. Inc Speaker
Obeys his orders, and the election OF Mr. Keller
was fortune 70 this notorious trader IN legisla-
ton.
Preceden:s and custom have heretofore con-
trOlled the action Of the Senate in such matters.
In other words the presiding officer of the Senate
by usage acceptS the names handed TO him by the
person in charge o! any given bill, when cor
fe-ees are appointed though he is supposed
uuder the rules. TO select them himself. Wheth-
or Judge Davis viii permit this bad practice to DC
continued viii soon be known. He can moi
allow this indirect usurpatiOn OF the rights OF
the Chair without incnrring responsibility for
bad legislation.
the lobby a: Washington this winter exceeds In
numbers and in exsctiOns any that has been seei.
IN the corridors OF Congress for many years.
From IS76-foT, sl.hOush the Democratic reform
House of Representatives, took possession IN 1870
1--WE approprisi ions had already been made for tn
fiscal year IS35--76-tae lobby had bard tiu''
until near the close oi the last Congress. IL came
10 be understood that big jobs and stale claims
and highly favored enterprises stood iitte chance
OF success while the guardians of the Treasury
were duty.
The star Route robbery went through. however
and. as is well understood. IL cost the contractor
very round sum for the black list OF patri"t'
which is said TO he st;l IN e1iste ace Ii they nHc
consented 10 pay the syndicate OF blackmuileTS
most OF whom turned ref)TmeTs, the So. 600 ofigi
nally demanded. 10 Is quite prODabie there would
have been 10 Investigation at all. and certaiui,
the contractors would have had much fulle
pockets to-day.
Republicans aided by few Democrats, voted 10
Bradys deficiency bill Of 2O900 a0 and Subs =
quently for The regular POstofhcs bill, whicA
WhiteWaSned his corruption.
The surplus in the Treasury has attracted tic
greed OF ali the Jobbers. They swarm at the Capt
col Hill with hugh plans for depicting the pubic
vaults. Captain Eads asked an Endorsement for
500e0000. lie dimes and wines the press on &
magnificent scales, and threatens 70 20 TO Europe
for his capital unless Uncle sam hurries 10 accept
MS modest terms The claim agents nave foptsd
uD 800 and odd millions cor agrearageS of pensions
alone and they have laid the foundations for a
thousand millions more The Mississippi i'm
provers wants tens OF millions.
Bills public buildings all over the country
crowd the calendars The Army is to be increased
By the addition of 5000 men. The Navy Is 70 be
reconstructed. The Indian supplies to be in
creased. 4 new Congressional Library is u he
built 81 est nt many millions. The rirg Specn
lst.Ou for -'im proving the river front and II tts
the Potomac" will absorb millions. Offices are
multiplied as fast as the Congressional wheel can
turn them out. LapSed land grants are 10 be re-
uewed Cor rich corporations.
The tide of jObbery is fast rising, and viii soon
get above the high-wa;er mark OF 1875.