Omaha daily bee., 1888-01-24


Congress has before it the reports OF
the commission which Investigated the
Pacific railroads and the plainly ex-
pressed views OF the president thereon.
In the opinion OF the executive, delib-
epately reached after careful study OF
the matter from the different stand
points OF the majority and minority re-
ports, the course Of the corporations has
forfeited all claim on their part to any
forbearance or generosity. The lam
guage of the president is that the re-
ports exhibit such transactions and
schemes connected with the construc-
tion of the aided roads and their
management, and suggest the
invention OF such devices on
the part of those having them in
charge for the apparent purpose OF de-
feating any chance for the governments
reimbursement, that any adjustment or
plan of settlement should be predicated
upon the substantial interests of the
government rather than any forbear-
ance or generosity deserved by the COM
panies." One Of the methods suggested
terests of the government is to purge
the debt of the corporations "of all that
is fraudulent, fictitious or unconscion-
able and he expresses the opinion that
congress may seek remedy against
those who issued and transferred the
fictitious bonds OF these corporations.
Finally the president says the public
"a anI off
tion.
With all the information that can
possibly be required in its possession,
and it being peculiarly within the
province Of congress, as the president
observes, to effect the settlement and
determination OF the questions involved,
that body should address itself to the
duty with the least possible delay. 1t
is the policy of the corporations to
prevent prompt and efficient action, and
they have friends in congress who will
undoubtedly do whatever may be de-
| manded of them in furtherance of this
| policy. 1t is certain that the men
who are responsible for all the
| abuses and rascalities that are disclosed
by the reports of the Pacific railroads
| commission are not idle. BY every
| means and device which most cunning
and unscrupulous ingenuity can suggest
| they will seek to defeat or defer legis-
| latiOn intended to bring them to just
accounting or to deprive them of the
power to continue the plunder of the
people. Their hand has been plainly
shown in the confirmation of a justice oi
the supreme court, and it is visible in
the effort to discredit before the country
the chairman of the commission, whose
sense OF justice led him to recommend
summary proceedings in the interest Of
the government and people. Ir
whatever way the resources and
Influences of these men can be
employed to better fortify themselves in
their position, to resist the progress o.
Justice, and to defeat the popular de-
mand that they shall be made accounta
BILE for their past course of fraud and
robbery, they will be used without stint
They can be thwarted only by the ut
most vigilance and zeal on the part o.
the representatives of the people, who
believe with the president that thi.
matter should be promptly and effect
lively settled. Thus far the conduct O
the present congress is not reassurine
as to any legislation urgently de.
manded. Nearly two months o
the session have passed withou
anything of consequence having
been accomplished. There has been W
to this time an exhibition of weakness
timidity and lack of craftsmanship dis
couraging to the hope of the country
All the evidence shows that congress il
dominated quite as much as ever be
fore by the political schemers and dem
agogues. The welfare of party, rathe
than Of the people, is the first considera
ton with the great majority of the mel
in congress. 1t is due to this tina
powerful monopolies and corporation
are able to steadily defeat justice ant
override the people. The struggle
against this pernicious influence must
however, be firmly and fearlessly main
tanned, and having the support of sterl
and irrevcrsiblc facts it's final success i
certain.
Industrial Reciprocity.