The Harrison times. (Harrison, Boone Co., Ark) 1876-1938, 1886-01-02
CIR WASHINGTON LETTER.

House promptly adopted the new
rules proposed by Morrison, and
great 10 the joy of Republicans
thereat; and that other band OF
patriots, known as the Third
House, who annually serowd tn e
corridors Of the Capitol and shout
themselves hoarse for the old flag
and an appropriation, are filled
with eestacy and whiskey. 1t re
mains to be seen whether the tenn
tation to vastly increase the pub
lie expenditures can be success
fully resisted by the various com
nittees among which the respon-
sibility for appropriations is now
divided. As this new measure
was adopted ayowedly for the pur-
pose of divesting Mr.. Randall OF
his power over the appropriations,
and as that power has invariably
been exerted by him in the inter-
est of economy and retrenchment,
it quite evident that the reform
new rules is not intended to be in
the direction Of a decrease in pub
lie expenditures. What the said
reform will consist of must be de-
veloped in the future.
There is one reform which
might be adopted with advantage
to the public, and which would
immortalize the Congress institut-
ing it, and that is the suppression
of what, for want of better term,
we will call Legislative poppycoek.
There is a regular series of stand
ard subjects which a certain class
OF Congressman feel called upon
to treat with persistent regularity,
with no other apparent object
than to make little local popular
ity, or mayhap, a little money for
themselves or their friends in the
lobby.
The Washington Gas Company
ia one of the victims of this class
of legislation; and just as regular
ly as the year comes round there
is bill introduced into Congress
to incorporate a rival company. |
OF course this is ostensibly done
in the interest of the consumer.
and the standard talk is INDUCED
in to show that this company is a
gigantic monopoly which is grow
ing rich at the expense of the pub
lie, and that divine justice requir-
es that rival company should be
chartered, to the end that compe-
tition may bring down the price
of gas. All of which is trna
enough the Lord knows; but the
point is that the bills never pass
more than one House, even if it
gets that far. They are never de-
signed to pass. They are invaria-
bly, introduced at the instance of
some lobbyist or syndicate of lob
byist and are under their control.
In due time the Washington Gas
Company comes down with few
thousand dollars, which is put |
where it will do the most good, |
and the bill dies.
Another victim of this class of
legislation is the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company. A few years
ago Congress granted this COM
pany the privilege of building its
passenger depot on the public res
ervation just west of the Capitol,
This reservation was set apart and
dedicated, by the original plan of
the city, for public park. 1t is
the only park of any considerable
size within the city limits, and in
it are situated the Botanical Gar
dens, the Smithsonian Institution,
the National Museum and the Ag-
ricultural Department buildings.
The granting to a railroad COM
pany the privilege of running
across this park and building its
depots On It's grounds was an in
fanny that should have damned
every man in Congress who voted
for it, and to allow it to continue
such occupation is a standing out
rage on the people of Washington
and the public generally. But it
is bonanza to the lobby. Every
year q bill is introduced to COM
nal tho roilrpo1 tn rapnDy-n lie 10