The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-01-16

Congressman Holman introduced a
resolution in the house a couple days
ago which should have been introduced
and favorably acted upon by that body
years ago. It's introduction at the pres
ent time smacks of the lock upon the
stable door after the horse is stolen.
However, it serves a double purpose
even at this late date. 1t places the
democratic majority in the house upon
record as opposed to the granting of
subsidies, bountles and lands, and the
pledging of the public credit to any
company or corporation to build up and
carry on private enterprises of any kind.
1t also notifies the world at large that
the vaults of the United States treasury
arc closed against Designing monopolles,
spectators and spoilsmen; that those
who have designs upon it to promote
personal ends need not apply, and that
the money Of the people when expended
shall be expended for the benefit Of the
people.
The resolution is particularly aimed
at steamship subsidies, sugar bounties,
and Warner Miller's Nicaragua canal
scheme. Aside from the sound principle
embodied in the resolution the condition
of the treasury forces congress to adjust
Legislation upon its lines. The treasury
is virtually bankrupt. The government
has not a dollar in it which it car call it's
own. The revenue fell off S43,OOO,0OO
during the past ten months. The Billion
Dollar congress made extravagant appro-
priations which must be met somehow.
1t will require all the of the
government to do this. Appropriations
must be confined to those absolutely
necessary to carry or the several depart
ments Of the government, frugally and
economically administered. No extrava-
gance can be permitted. The pruning
knife must be relentlessly employed.
There must be a cutting away here and
a pairing down there. The public money
is the peoples money and must be
husballed. These are the sentiments
which control the house. Who can say
it is not right:
The giving of subsidies and bounties
and grants of land or plcdcing the
credit of the nation is wrong in princi-
pie. Why not subsidize canal beats as
well as steamships. Why not give
bountjcs to wheat growers and wool
growers and cotton planters and corn
raisers as well as to sugar producers?
Why not grant lands to street railways
as we'll as to overland railways? Why
not pledge the public credit to build an
irrigating canal as well as to pledge it to
build a canal across the Isthmus of Mic
aragua! Why should capital be favored
with subsidies and bounties and grants
and Drawn and muscle be denied? What
are the answers? Ask the ovcrtaxed
people OF the country and get them.
Chairman Holman sounded the right
note in his resolution. He enunciated
a principle which should govern every
legislative body. Thank God, it is in
corporated in the constitution of Mon
tana. 1t is "a part of the organic law Of
this state that no Legislative assembly of
Montana shall make grants of any kind
10 private enterprises. Tho same prin-
ciple is incorporated in the spirit of the
constitution of the United States. and
Mr.. Holman simply emphasized it in his
resolution. let it govern the action of
the democratic house Of representatives.
and The people of the country will stand
L.. -