Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-14

! properly lnQlcdteS tnat ne TOO shared the feel
ing that fortune may grow burdensome and
dangerous by its own weight Hence, in oppo-
sition to the theory Of his father he distributes
his vast possessions with an approach to equal
ity among bis natural heirs. In this respec
the will reminds one of those partitions Of uni
versal empire made by the monarchs Of ancient
times among their children and favorites
Students of history find that such divisions
have generally resulted in strife and chaos and
the rise of new dynasty. A similar result
may follow the breakup of the one vast Van
derbilt fortune. While w. H. Vanderbilt lived
1.-The street. was In wholesome awe of his ability
10 prevent speculative panic. His 100000
600 of government bonds and his $50, 900, 900
of readily marketable securities gave him what
was practically bank balance of 800, OOO, 900
for use in any sudden emergency. And 1t was
known that all his interests and inclinations
were on the side of a steady market.
This great power is now distributed among
eight or ten persons. Their interests are for the
present identical, but no one can predict how
long they may remain in harmony. AS Jay
Gould now naturally comes to the front as the
heaviest operator, and as his influence in the
past has not always been thrown in favor of
settled values there Is some apprehension of
more restless markets, but it is usually the case
that the responsibility Of assumption to power
causes the new ruler to become conservative,
and that will very likely be shown in Gould's
course. 1t Is also given out that the two sons
of Vanderbilt, Cornelius and William, who get
the heavy requests of S62. OO0, 900 and $780,
100000. will operate together to keep the mar
ket steady. While 1t Is not safe to count upon
permanent alliance Of that sort between two
brothers, 1t is probable that they will work
together as matter Of mutual interest to keep
up the value Of what Is called the Vanderbilt
stocks and in this way they will help mater
tally 10 keep up the general market
The most important feature of the new code
OF HouSe rules proposed by Mr.. Morrison and
now ported favorably to the House by the
committee on rules, relates to the distribution
OF much OF the work heretofore done by the ap-
preparations committee among the other stand
ing committees. At present the appropriations
committee prepares twelve of the fourteen reg
uiar appropriation bills. It is now proposed to
refer the bills relating to the consular and diplo.
matte service, the army, the navy and the In
dams to the committees having those subjects
specifically in charge. The appropriations for
rivers and harbors and for agriculture are al
ready thus referred. This will leave the appro.
priations committee in control of the general
salary bill, known as the legislative, executive
and judicial bill, the sundry civil expenses forti
fications, pensions, District of Columbia and
deficiencies. Why a distinction is made against
the District in the general distribution Is not
explained and cannot be justified.
1t remains to be seen how we'll the new rule
will work from the standpoint of economy. 1t
is expected to facilitate business but this NAV
be done at heavy cost TO the treasury at q time
when the surplus is running low. But the
House is disposed to try the experiment, and it
acts under its responsibility, aware Of the fac
that the result of the general congressional
election next fall will depend very largely on
the record of the coming session.
b Brown rlo