The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-11
riuecr to the Front.

Rochester. NOrce, WORDS, Wcrusi
Sprin ger to the Front.
Tho Hon. WILLIAM N. SPRINGER OF ILL.,
nois evidently has not been consulted by
the gentlemen who intend to ask Congress
to vote 10 Chicago an unconstitutional loan
OF s.. 900 900 to enable that town to carry on
the Columbian Fair When tho modest re-
quest reaches the House OF Representatives
It will doubtless encounter the stern and
spirited opposition OF this JeFersonian
Democrat.
In the first place. Mr.. SPRINGER Is dis
tinctly pledged against any such measure OF
legislation ns 4. now proposed by his fellow
citizens OF Illinois. The record is plain, and
SPRINGER Is no man to 60 back on his
promises. Speaking In behalf Of the people
OF Chicago. less than twenty months ago,
he declared with scornful emphasis:
"wssli, ask no money from consresa sxesps what
viii be required for the budinn and exhibits OF the
Government Five or s'r hundsee thousand dollars
will be ample for ,his'
That Chicago should ever turn up a. q
beggar, that Chicago could ever fail to per-
form her part OF the contract with tho Fed
eral Government, were ideas which Mr..
SPRINGER rcpudiated as insults to tho great
city In whose beha!ihe spoke. Their honor
Is pledged" he exclaimed, pointing across q
thousand miles to the Columbian enthusiasts
who stood ready with 325 900 cash, their
money is pledged. Does any gentleman on
this floor believe that these honorable and
responsible gentlemen have been playing
with Congress; that they have come here
as confidence men to deceive us:'
Before the lightning flashes Of indigna-
ton that darted from Mr.. SPE1SaER's eyes,
every doubter OF Chicago's honor and SIN
certify ouai,ed. Nobody arose in the House
10 assert that Chicago was playing O contl-
dence game, or attempting to obtain a
Worlds Fair on false pretences. II any man
had dared to suggest such q thing he would
have had to account for his words to the
Hon. WILLIAM NJ. SPRINGER Of Illinois.
But Mr.. SPR1NGER's record on the ques-
ton Of Government loans to Worlds Fair
managers goes further back than February.
1890. When the bill approrriating 81, 5oo. 900
In aid Of the Centennial Exhibition at Phia-
dolphin was before the Forty-fourth Con-
gross in the early months OF 1876. SPRINGER
was there, too, to oppose 1t. We quote his
searching words on that occasion:
"whiis xious for the foil OF this Cen.
tenniai Exhibition at the time regard this bill
simply aproposion 10 place in the treasury Of the
Finance Board $1,000 o to b divided among the
stockholders after this Exhibition 10 completed We
PASS this bill they will have 81 $1,000 more to divide;
IL We do not PISS u. they Will have sistouo less We
have farmsd out this Exhibition corporation which
10 rich enough to pay It's own way. and 10 TO receive all
the advantages and receipts Of the Exhibition"
After the failure OF movement led by
Mr. HOLMAN OF Indiana, to kill the uncon-
stitutional bill by striking out the enacting
clause. Mr.. SPRINGER offered an amendment
providing that in the settlement Of affairs
the United States should be entitled to its
81 500 900 before a cent went to any private
subscriber or stockholder. His amendment
was adopted; but when the bill thus
amended by Mr. SPRINGER came to vote
bringing up the general question OF Gov
eminent loan. he voted dead against 1t. his
own precautionary amendment and all.
Let 1t be added, TO the everlasting honor
OF the great State OF Illinois, that Of her
nineteen Representatives In Congress at
that time not less than fifteen voted with
WILLIAM n. SPRINGER against the Gov.
eminent loan Of $l,5oo.oo0 to the Phlladel-
phia Worlds Fair.
This Is why we feel ourselves safe In as
suming that when tho humillating and
preposterous demand OF Chicago for Gov
eminent aid to the amount Of s., OoO, 900 Is
discussed In Congress- SPRINGER OF Illinois
will be among the first to denounce the pro-
posed appropriation and to help to defeat 1t.