The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-07-18

1
from success. And yet he hes sueceeded in
securing the support Of the rfencl, people,
who are adding millions 10 the millions al.
ready sunk in the lsthmus mud.
The memorial bridge 10 Lincoln and Grant,
to span the Potomac from Arlington to OBJ
servatory Heights, has been popular in Con.
gress nom the first inception of the idea.
The Senate Committee on Appropriations pro-
poses 10 begin the work by providing sufi-
cient sum TO have reliable plans aud estimates
made for submission TO Congress al its next
session. We believe that body will vote the
necessary funds for this patriotic as we'll as
useful purpose. Our present style of bridge
architecture Is disgrace 10 the Capital.
The proposed gas legislation, in the light
of the Senate committees report, squints at
the ultimate condemnation Of the gas works,
and the manufacture and sale of gas by the
Government. Why not take the bull by the
horns, and do now what the committee ad.
mits must be ultimately done' The only
way TO get cheap gas is for the District to
| acquire the property and franchises of the
Gas Company at fair price, and furnish
gas at cost. Light, like water, should be
furnished by the Government at or near cost,
the profits, il any, to go toward the improve
ment of the plant and the payment Of the
debt incurred by the purchase.
Not many years since, II we are correctly
informed, Grover Cleveland, Governor Of
New York, vetoed bill which proposed to
reduce the rates Of fare on certain railroads
in New York City, although the acts of in
corporation specifically provided that such
rates might be regulated under certain con-
ditions. We do not believe that the proposed
legislation fixing the price Of gas at an un.
femunerative rate, and virtually confscating
part Of the property of the Gas Company,
will ever reach the President. But IL IL
should he would be acting in the line Of
that conservative regard for vested interests
he has already shown, should he treat it as
he did the act Of the New York Legislature.
Senator Platts suggestion that II the
Government desired to lower the rates of
east and west bound freight, 1t could do SO
more chesply AMI efficiently by construct
ing railroad from the Atlantic TO the Missis
sippi, has more wisdom in itthan is apparent
at the first blush. The first cost of such rail.
road would not be 80 great. II Is not true.
IS was stated by Senator Miller, that the
average cost Of railroads in this country ia
eloo, 600 per mile. This represents not the
cost, but the cost and profits of construction,
flched from the roads by the managers. II
this Government has the power 10 construct
q canal, 1t has thepower to construct a rail
road. Aud experience has shown that where
the canal comes in competition with the rail
road the latter is the more remuneratiye,
Congress should make a radical change in
the present system of appropriations for in.
ternal improvements. Instead Of peddling
out small annual appropriations for an in.
Unity of objects, it should complete each
one as speedily as the condition of the Treas.
ury will permit. 1t is waste of money TO
pursue the system of such meagre appropris.
tions that one part of harbor fills up before
the other is dredged ont. Having agreed
upon the amount of money to be annually
appropriated for harbor improvements, II
should provide for the speediest possible
completion OF the works Of greatest necessity
and most national Importance. There is no
kind OF reform more needed than reform in
the methods pursued in relation TO internal
improvements. We undertake too much at
time. The consequence is great waste of
money and great delay in necessary im-
provements.
CONSISTENCY IS jewell too rarely found
among Legislators. If the Holmans and Rea-
gans of the House of Representatives, would
exhibit the same Roman virtue about appro-
priations which affect their districts, their
friends, or their own pockets, they would
stand higher in the estimation of observing
men. Unfortunately 1t is said that the same
vigilant watch dogs of the Treasury who voted
against months extra compensation to the
House employees voted almost unanimously
to place in deficiency bill an appropriation
for the payment Of a Texas war claim. 1t is
also said that many virtuous Congressman
draw mileage who travel on free passes, and
it is asserted that Representatives who pose
as economists get all the stationery they use
from the committee. rooms, and then draw
the Sl25 allowed each session for stationery
In cash.
The proposition of the Senate Committee
on Appropriations TO suspend work on the
Capitol terraces, until some feasible plan can
be adopted to veutilats aud light the rooms
that will be added to the Capitol by their
construction, should not be entertained for a
moment. The proposition looks TO the alter.
alton of the appearance Of the terraces by
piercing them with windows. This may
prove great convenience as regards utiliz.
ing the added space for committss-rooms, but
what appearance would It present to the
eyei Architects Of undoubted reputation say
1t would destroy entirely the grand effect
sought by the erection Of these terraces.
However that may be, 1t is as easy for Con-
gross TO decide the question now as TO postpone
It to the future, for postponement means in
creased cost and deterioration Of accumulated
material. 1.-THE utilitarian Committee on Ap.
preparations of the Senate, or even that dig
nifed body itself, halts now as to the plans
for this work, which has been In progress by
driblets for 80 many years, It can make the
appropriation, with proviso referring the
question Of windows or no windows to ex.
perts for decision. But by all means let the
work go on. The House provided only
100000 for the work, less sum than that
estimated for the year by the Secretary Of
the Treasury. It is hoped the Senate will
at least vote this amount, or, better still in.
crease 1t.
The oable-road robbers and their allies in
the House are responsible for wasting day
which was greatly needed for legislation OF
public interest to the people Of this District.
The vital faults Of this corrupt and scanda-