Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1894-08-30

which refused to put a reasonable ana
fair price on the tickets. There is one
satisfaction about It, they have deprived
themselves Of large amount of money,
and the loss may make them more lib
eral in the future.
Another notable gathering will take
place in Washington this week, when
the Southern Development Convention
begins its first session. This organiza-
ton, as its name implies, is southern,
interested in developing the natural re-
sources of the Southern States and
bringing their attractiyeness as places
of residence to the attention of the
world, and incidentally making money
for themselves. 1t is expected that
every Southern State will be represent
ed at the convention, and those inter-
ested express confidence that it will be
speedily followed by practical results
which will demonstrate the wisdom of
its originators.
The report OF the House Naval COM
mittee, which investigated the charges
made against the Carnegie Company of
having furnished the Government by
fraudulent means with armor plates not
up to the standard that was paid for, is
practically about the same as the ZEN
dering of true bill by grand jury.
Accompanying the report was a resolu-
ton specifying certain plates on certain
vessels and providing that they should
be removed and subjected to tests to
ascertain whether their defects would
substantiate the sworn testimony taken
by the committee. That resolution was
promptly passed by the House but when
it reached the Senate it was referred to
the committee on Naval affairs, which
was settler for it as far as the present
session is concerned, because there was
not a quorum of that committee in
Washington to act upon 1t, even If its
members desired to do so. II is asserted
by some that the resolution will never
be acted upon by the Senate. Senator
Mcpherson, chairman of the Naval
committee is in Europe.
One of the peculiar features of the
political situation is the fear openly ex.
pressed by sbrewd members Of the old
parties that the populists will hold the
balance of power in the next House. 1t
may he that these fears are being ex-
pressed merely to stir the old parties up
to extra exertion, but 1t is odd that
these men should now concede what
the popullsts in Congress have claimed
to be certain of for many months. 1t
will be no small thing to hold the ball
ance of the power IN the next House.
Il will mean the certain naming of the
next Speaker, the man who has more
power to shape legislation than any
other official under our form Of govern.
ment. But it may seem even more than
that. In case the election of the next
President should be thrown into the
House, and it may be, the balance Of
power might mean the naming Of the
next President.
Congress will adjourn Tomorrow,
unwept, unsung aud unregreted. 1t
started out with great flourish Of
trumpets more than a year ago to re-
leye the distress of the country. lfany
law passed by This Congress is to give
the country relief 1t Is yet to become
apparent to the people. Great promises
haye been made, but only time can tell
whether all of them will proye us delu
sive as some of them haYe already
proven.
The foreign student Of American pol.
itics must find the tariff bill which to-
morrow morning will be the law Of the
land an unsolyable problem. He re-
CARDS our system Of government as one
Of the majority, and yet here is law
on one of the most important subject
that Congress is eyer called upon to
legislate on that was not wanted by one
fifth Of Congress, nor by the President.
Still it takes its place on the statute
book. 1t is puzzling to Americans who
are reasonably familiar with Congress
sional Legislative methods. If it proves
that skilltul manipulation, and not a
majority of votes, is what counts in Con-
gress and if it proves that
we are hugging delusion in believing
this to be government Of the people.
I do not mean by this that the new
tariff bill is wholly bad, for it is not.
1t has many good and desirable features,
but in order to get them the majority
had to consent to many bad, very bad
features.
Adolphus paused outside the door
To interview the scraper;
Within those walls her father sat
L ] =,