St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-09-15
STEWARDS INTEREST IN Sill
II 1,

Senator STEW ARTS attack upon those
or bis colleagues who own stock in ma
tional banks was Unsuitable one, and
might have been of more effect HAD it
emanated from one whose hands were
clean-who could have shown that his
own course was not influenced by mer-
ceiary considerations.
The laws of the United States forbid
senators or representatives in congress
from being officially connected with the
national banks. The theory which un-
derles this provision is the preservation
of the iawmakIng power from faint of
nercenary motive in the creation of the
laws. Ii is hardly to be presumed that
man will iegisate impartially upon
matters in which he has direct tinan-
cial interest, and the concerns of ma
tlonai banks are so frequently brought
before the two houses of congress that
there is danger of unwise or class legis-
iation ii officers Of those institutions are
allowed 10 frame the laws for their gov
eminent. The law, however, does not
explicitly diSquality stockholders in
these banks from seats in congress, al
though there can be no doubt of the in
tent OF its trainers. Thus we find many
senators, as well as representatives. who
ewn stock IN banks, and are therefore
morally Ineligible. aithoug h technically
eligible, 10 seats in those bodies.
Tie underlying idea is OF general ap-
pllcation to legislative bodies through
out the country. In a majority OF the
states the law forbids members of city
council OF state legislature from vot-
Ing upon proposition i'll which they
may be financially Interested. Where the
law IS silent on the subject a sense Of
proprietN, in nine cases out of ten,
prompts Il legislator TO decline to vote
on such propositions. If he persists i'll
voting his motives are invariably
questioned. and his character for hon
cSty is apt to suffer in consequence.
But people who live in glass houses
should be careful OF the manner in
which they huri dornicks about them.
Senator STEWAHT, in assuming superior
virtue 10 that possessed by those who
hold stock in national banks and who
persist III voting on the silver repeal bill,
condemnation. He may not. and prob
ably does not. own any national bank
stock, but ie has been largely interested
III silver producing mines, whose value
will be greatly affected by the pending
legislation. lie denies any personal
holdings at the present. time. but it is
well known, aud is a matter of record,
that his wife is one of the largest owners
of Silyer-mlning stocks in the country.
1t Is Il mere subterFuge to cIai IN that he
has no personal interest in matter that
Sc vitality concerns his wife. If her i'll
toreStS DO not influence his course of
action, he is certainly a phenomenally
indifferent and an utterly unworthy
husband, and Mrs. STEWART has good
grounds for seeking a legal separation
from him.
Hoist 10y his OWE petard, where can
STEM ART take refuge? IF it is sinful
for 4 national bank stakeholder to vote
or pending legislation which only ind i.
rectiy affects the banks, how much more
sinful ii must be for a large stakeholder
IN silver mines to vote on a measure
that involves, substantially, his entire
fortune. Is the Nevada senator dis
interested legislator? Can he be ex-
Dected 70 cast all honest and impartial
vote? Senator STEM ART must be vastly
superior to tile average mortal if con-
sderations Of patriotism are more potent
in forming his opinions and debating
his actions than considerations of a per-
SOnai nature, and Of such vast moment
as the MANY aIiiiions of dollars which
his wealth represents
Senator STEwAEr is not an impartial
Judge, and he should in equity be de-
barred from vote OH the pending silver
bill.