Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-08-31
An Interesting Controversy.

An interesting and somewhat remarka-
BILE controversy took place between Sena-
tor Blair. the Chairman OF the United
states Labor Committee at present in
session in New York, and Thomas b.
Mcclure. of the Central Labor Union, at
the meeting Of the committee last Tues
dav. Mr. Mcclure, who was a witness,
said that he was a driver of a truck. At
one time he owned a small express bust
ness. bur express companies with more
capital made his business so Improbable
that he was forced to. sell out. He de-
clared his Willingness to work for twenty
years for nothing if anyone would feed
and clothe his family. He had worked
aud fought for the government four years,
and now. he said. he was taxed to pay the
interest on Vanderbilt's government bonds.
He began to charge corruption among leg
islators. when senator Blair interrupted
him. and said:
Il feel like this. my friend, that we are
all about alike. l have never known
single instance Of bribery in the House
Of Representatives or in the Senate at
Washington. not a single instance, and l
have been there eight years; nor do be-
lieve that either Of the Senators here pres
ent has ever known any such instance.
There i a very general miscOnception as
10 the personal character Of the legisla-
tors Of this country. | do not believe that
man for man. the clergy of the United
states. or any other organization average
any better in the matter Of personal NOR
al character. and YOU labor under
very serious mistake, and APP
proach the subject from a wrong direc-
ton. when YOU come TO it with the idea
that the majority of legislators Of either
party are not honest men. This problem
Of life is q very serious one, and can see
how a man OF your evident capacity and
ability. which, with proper opportunity,
would enable you 10 nil any station on
earth-I can see how you, crowded by
circumstances, may have come TO feel as
YOU do: but you are entirely wrong. |
don't say this 10 y0u reproyingly-God
knows l don't-but, my friend, you are
wrong i'm your estimate of men. phe ma
ioritv Of men are honest men. throughout
the length and breadth Of the world"
No doubt Mr.. Mcclure is sincere in
believing that there is corruption among
legislators. and it is equally certain that
Senator Blair believed every word he
said. senator Blair is moi the kind of
man to know whether there is corruption
among members of Congress or not, un=
less the fact is made so clear that it IS be-
vond controversy. That there IS a certain
amount or corruption there is no
doubt. but that there is as much
dishonesty among Congressman as
is generally believed is not
true. The great majority Of the members
of the Senate and House are honest men.
The few who can be bribed, and who are
now and then found to be mixed up in
questionable transactions, bring the whole
body into bad repute in the estimation OF
a class of people who condemn all for the
fault of one 1t must be admitted, how
ever. that it is easier to secure legislation
that is favorable to great corporations
than it is to secure it against them.
The influence Of capital is great, and
legislators are as susceptible to it as
any other class of people. This fact
workingmen recognize, and it produces
the feeling expressed by Mr.. Mcclure.
1t does not follow, however, that because
Legislators are Influenced by wealth, that
they are corruptly influenced. What is
meant is that a Congressman or Con-
gressiOnal Committee Will listen more
respectfully and patiently to Vanderbilt,
Gould. Garrett and dozen other we'll
known men in the financial world than to
Mr.. Mcclure or the leader of any labor
organization.