New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-09
malignant and bloody warfare against civiliza-
ton has lasted far too long already.
THO JNVESITG ATOMS.

Two Investigations are IN progress. One at
Washington, the other In this city The one
I'm this city seems TO be Investigating TO find
ont" Not much was expected Of II when 1t
began its labors II seemed TO halt and hest
tate at the threshold OF inquiry rs If not know
ing where precisely to begin. Men who had
sncnt much time and breath denouncing abuses
and demanding reforms were unable to furnish
testimony or give the investigators information
as 10 the line upon which they should begin
their work Political cynics Sncered nj the pro-
ceedng as only another effort TO hoodwink the
neonle with an empty pretence of investigation;
the average citizen who had settled down In
honelcssneSs under abuses that seemed impos-
sible TO correct or even to expose gave 1t little
hood: and the taxconsumers. brbe-takers and
lawbrcakcrs, the men with pulls" the GO
bctveens. panders TO vice and protectors Of
crime, only smiled contcmptuously at the sug-
gestion that their sources OF ill-gotten gain
might be endangered But the Lcxow Commit
tee presently began to feel its way and get
down to It's work. There Is no doubt now In
the mind of any intelligent citizen that It Is
bcnt on n thorough and searching investigation
Of the abuses under which this Tammany-ridden
town has suffered for years. The corrupt poll
crs have become thoughtful and anxious. the
Lcxow Committee is actually investigating ana
there IS no question but that It means business.
In marked contrast are the proceedings OF the
GRAY Committee Of the United States Senate
which was appointed TO investigate the sugar
scandal. The ostcnsiblc purpose OF that com
mittce was 10 make inquiry concerning the Ill
Auonccs which had been brought 10 bear upon
the Finance Committee Of the Senate I'D lhaN-
inc M the sugar schedules Of the pending
Tariff BILL and also 10 ascertain whciher any
Senators had engaged In spcculations IN sugar
stock during the pcndcncy OF the Dill. IL had
been charged that the Finance Committee were
Influenced in their action upon the sugar schcu
ulcs hy the fact that the Sugar Trust had con
trlbutcd a very large sum OF money TO me Dem
ocratlc campaign fund Of 1882 with an express
understanding that the interests OF the trust
should be regarded in any changes which mleh'
be made In the tariff In the event oi Dcmocrau'
success That WAS rather an interesting ana
ImDortant subject for Investigation. II was ais"
charged that certain Senators had taken corrupt
advantage of their official knowledge ~ me
,ronsocfinns of the committee and It's probable
action on the sugar schedules 10 Speculate, ia
Sugar Trust stock That. too was quite III.
tcrcsiing and important matter for the com
mlttcr 10 look into one line Of inquiry related
10 a scandal involving every Democrat In Con
rrcss who should vote 70 carry out corrupt
bargain made 10y the Democratic National Com,
mlticc: the other looked 10 probing seaman
touching individual Senators.
What has the Cray Committee done; Has u
acted as though IL was really IN earnest us
though It actually desired 10 ascertain al III"
facts in the case? 40 intelligent unpr"juIiced
ucrson outside ~ Congress thinks So. It's ihi'al
step in closing is door, and making It's inquis'-
ton secret and mysterious dd not give promise
OF carncstncss or sincerity. and il must bc said
that II has done nothing since To- chnn-c ih'
general impression that The purpose ~ the lh'
vcstigaiion is not 10 find ont bnt 10 whlirwaSh
The only thing It has done In which IL has
seemed 10 be I'm downright earnest l. - take
stcps - have two newspaper correspondents
who made the scandal public punished Tor con
tempt in refusing 10 give the names ~ ih'lr
informants In The view 81 the committee. ap-
porcptly the only offence committed Is IN max
ing the story public The important thing j.
not 10 find uui the truth - The story. but {"
punish those who told g. Meantime II is 10
credit 70 the committee that one Senator has
been exposed In Sugar speculation. The poor.
bcwiIlcrcd man stumbled into a confession BIN
self before the committee had chanc" To hnd
n way ont for him. So that The net results 81
The labors ~ ;he Gray Commliie" 10 date are.
two correspondents threatened with Indictment
for telling and one Senator tangled mp IN MS
own explanation because h. didn't walt for the
committee 10 take care Of him Ana thls com
Inliicc is worrying along day after day with !
apparently but one anxiety. and that y not -
find out anything. The contrast between the
two Investigations Is marked and significant.
the NEU CRUISER.