The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-17

poratioEs as with his duties to the public in
his capacity as q United States Senator. This
is what is being said of him, not by malicious
enemies, but with sincere sorrow by frieuds
The average citizen would probably rather say
and think this of any other man in public life.
so high has Mr.. Edmunds stood in the general
estimation
Senator. Edmundss course in regard to the
Beck bill. prohibiting congressman from serv-
ing as attorneys for land-gran railways, has
alienatsd many who have winked at all pre-
vious doubtful points in his record. Although
Mr. Edmundss name does not appear promi-
nently in connection with this matter, it is
generally understood, and Is probably true,
that he has been the master spirit of the opposi-
ton to the bill, with Mr.. Hoar as an able lieu
tenant. 1t is supposed to have been at Mr. Ed
munds's suggestion that Mr.. Hawley moved
reconsideration OF the vote by which the bill was
originally passed; and had 1t referred to the jul
dietary committee, of which Mr.. Edmunds is the
chairman Mr. Beck's bill may have been crude
and imperfect, as alleged, and if so it was the
duty of the committee to rectify its errors and
report it back in an improved form. so that the
object of the bill. confessedly good and de-
sirable one, could be more swiftly and surely at
tanned
Instead of this. the committee has reported a
substitute which. were it a less serious matter,
would be the laughing stock Of Congress- and, in
fact does provoke much quiet and unholy mirth
among those Congressman and Senators who
are opposed to the Beck bill The sub
stitute aims simply at a reductio ad alb
surdum. 1t says in effect, 'if you force
us to give up our railroad law practice, we will
force you to give up your practice altogether
By its terms member of Congress can act as
attorney in respect to any matter which comes
directly or indirectly within the control of Con-
gress, even in the very slightest degree. For
instance, it would be forbidden TO Congress
man TO defend or oppose suit touching the
manufacture of tobacco, because Congress levies
tax on tobacco. Thus a righteous measure,
directed against glaring and notorious evil,
has been deliberately overloaded by the ju-
dietary committee. under the lead of Messrs.
Edmunds and Hoar, obviously with the express
purpose of killing it outright, in order to fur
Their the personal interests of the railroad attor
neys in the Senate of whom, according to cur
rent rumor, there are not few.
Mr.. Hoar reported the substitute, but Mr.. Ed.
munds is credited, or debted. with its paternity.
Mr. Hoar, indeed. reported another measure
still substitute for the substitute. The
Democratic members reported back the original
bill, slightly altered representing the views of
the minority. 1t remains to be seen whether
majority of the Senate will dare to indorse the
scandaous aud trivial report of the majority of
the committee. It is generally thought here
that 1t will not. But the probability is that a
vote upon the measure will not be reached at
all and that it will meet the usual fate of caen
dared bills that are object onable to one more
Senators. But though Messrs. Edmunds, Hoar
and Hawley may succeed in burying the Issue six
pages deep, the people will not forget it in a
hurry.