New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-22

NEW LEGISLATION NEEDED.
,,,..n,rgton. July Ex-senator Aliens report
.,oar investigation. which will soon be
on - 9TH possibly some slight notifications IS
as follows -. co.,..ors
r. view Of the fact that the report OF senators
III ard Lindsay. In which concur. does not
o1"'. 9Th the facts in this case as fuIIy as
SCI ,bev should be stated, / have deemed
th'nN proper to file = separate and ad-
II pnai report The testimony shows TO my
eloI, n,,ite conclusively that contributions were
mli In NV the Sugar Trust to both the Republican
mauen democratic parties for campaign purposes
an ,rue that these witnesses testified that theI
i",,ihutions were made for local ana Htdte
cohtsos but there is no doubt in my mind that
pu'p,oneO. went into the general campaign luhu
wv ,hose States and was used as much LOT ~
o. o. as for state and local purposes me
"otsarce further discloses that the DOCKS Oh '"e
evlrscsr Refining Company contain an ac-
AM. account Of the number of these conlriou-
Gu, s or al least they contain sufhcieht udta
sron, which the amount can De aCcui 49, 80 oa
lo..a,ned But the witnesses IN eacn instance
~.,1snS 70 produce the books or TO disclose the
itnnaunts of such contributions respectively, l
am the American Sugar Refining COMPANY
l.n,,orIv and more properly known as the
lOp-Ican Sugar Trust, has been in the haolt OF
Ant.rihu,ing money TO the Nationa! campaign
cons OnSs NJ both the Democratic ana Kepuphcah
!u,,as through its president. win the eNpeT
plan II not the implied promise that wnlch
ta'lo. nortv succeeded TO power the interests or
ever eve ,dmnany should be 'cared for by II.
T This deduction is fully warranted py tne $50
In' .aken bv us That a political party must
nlvn! money for the purpose OF conducting
Ultimate campaign, and TO be legluhalely eA'
eeIs1s M one will deny: but that great cor
P',,or should contribute literally to promote the
Nar Of one political party in one state
s sue the success Of another political party
a. another State at the same se,'ei ~, anv
~ think cannot be justihed by any
uon' I'D of morality or process or honest
ss. Starving such contributions can only be
.n.,nnted by the expectation OF me c0hUlputor
a.hichever party shall succeed TO the controi
nai "1ovsrnn1ent 1t will look with some degree
o. , ,ne unon his interests. a wisely drawn
VA iudjcious law looking 10 prompt anu
a@c,snt remedy for this growing eVll shouIu pe
e.i emu bv Congress and approved by the Presi-
dent.
OSCILLATIONS OF SENATORS.
Tho testimony shows that two Senators. the
,.n 1obn r Mcpherson. Of New-Jersey. and the
Hon. Matthew s quay OF fennsyINai,a, uiu v,'
ra v IN specuatng in what are known as sugar
gas ~ certificates during the pendency OF the
$50, Tariff bill before the Senate: AS their
i,,r,onv accompanies this report ana Is seii-eN,
inatory | will do no more than to say that l
mink II fully dscloses the necessity loI Id"
prohibiting this practice. g.. 49, ,oo.s Ate
'Sneakinr entirely apart from the lacts as
,,ossd In this case. IT is Impossible TOT me 10
si,,a ~ a nerson who is engaged in discharg-
s s 49, du,ias Of office OF United States Sena-
.n9 and who may at any time be required 10 CON
s,5sr ar vote on measure anecung the puoIc
L,ore n divorce his private interests from
VIC - rnhlic and If he Is compelled 10 neglect
~ ono ar the other think We have rlght TO
conclude that he will invariaoly heslece '"e
nuhlic interest 10 preserve ms own -
I, e a delicate natter for me 10 SPEAK upon
.his s,hiac, hut a sense Of public duty requires
me m condemn the practice as unwlse ana
fraueht with danger. and as one whlch, II IN
duged In 10 any conslderaDie eAteni oS "a a.
.ors and Representatives. will inevitably Iead 10
the defeat Of needed reform in leglslatloh.
The evidence does not show that the oueda
Trust had any direct influence in procuring the
presantaton TO the Senate or the conHlillee
amendment 10 the schedule. although l think
that schedule in far as II prescriDes an ad-
valorem system OF taxation. is enurei! sduS-
factory TO the trust -
Representative should ever permit himself 10 be
APPROACHED upon any subject connected with leg,
isla;ion by those representing private or spec'ai
interests, except on such OCCASIONS Whell suVH
persons NAV be heard By the committee Of which
be IS a member exactly as they would be heard
IN a court Of justice in case there pending ana
p be determined. know Of no more reason why
Senator or Representative should be APP
preached. talked with and importuned by per
son representing a special interest TO be airected
By legislation than that judge before whom
case is pending and is 10 be tried should De APP
preached BY one Of the litigants and the case pr-
yately argued and presented TO him out OF court.
The place 10 present all arguments IL in the COM
mittee-room before the committee or sub-coIl>
rn,t,ee This being done and the committee fully
Informed the rule prevailing in courts should be
observed.
THE CONTUMACIOUS WITNESSES
It's proper to call attention 10 the reckless and
open defiance Of the authority Of the Senate 10
require witnesses 10 answer questions that may
be put 10 them or make disclosures germane 20
the subject matter Of Investigation. The Gen
ance Of our authority by the witnesses EdWaIuS'
shrver Walker Chapman Mccartney. the
nd
demonstrates 10 that II the Senate ever eN-
poets 10 arrive at the truth OF any matter unuer
Investigation by a committee appointed by j, ~
mus promptly take cOntrmaclous witnesses III
hand and deal with them without delay as they
would be dealt with in a court OF justice uhuel
Ike circumstances. To turn such witnesses oVrI
70 the Grand Jury Of the District OF Columbia
io' Indictment and prosecution and not REQUIRE
them 10 be brought before the bar OF the senate
% purge themselves Of contempt. ana. raining 70
% 50. punish them for a refusal. is pracucdl
abdicaiOn Of authority Of the Senate ana ieaN's
possible for irresponsible persons without any
fss TO themselves 70 make serious chaIsfs
against the integrity o. those in authority anu
when called on T. disclose their knowledge Oh tHe
facts 10 hide themselves behind the assertion
nat there is no authority in the Senate 70 cOmptl
disclosure Thus Il will be seen That under sucH
circumstances Investigations OF this character
sventuate nothing. There must be a radical re-
,orn in this respect before the public can expect
vongressiOnal Investigations 70 be or any prac-
ucal value
TWO LAWS NEEDED.
Without extending this report have TO state
conclusion that think this investigation mas
demonstrated the necessity Of two laws:
.lHst-A law prohibiting speculation by Sena-
VII ana Representatives in Congress IN any Grass
VI speculative stocks whose value may be I'M
..eualey affected by National legislation w men,
ever Senator or Representative is elected ana
a nes MS seat he thereby. at least lhpneuiy'
~ s'ess With the public that 80 long as ne hoius
as onlce ne will abstain from the TRANSACTION %
o., private business that may coniifct WIN the
,althiul discharge Of mis- public duty ! have IN
.vuuced ill into the Senate making Such
speculation cause for expulsion from Congress
second-A law should be speedily passed Yhlch'
.r sn committee reports that a "lthesa u",y
..aironed before II is recalcitrant or refuses 10
s"e' germane questions put 10 MIN ny ule
,mMlitee will require him 10 be Drought
rr.hp'ly before the bar Of the Senate ana mere
nsaout delay and unnecessary debate. Inc N'I'>
saeent or the presiding officer shall repeat ti!e
,s..aons 10 him. and II he shall then refuse 10
s ss'sr them he shall, by proper resolution win,
p,maelay or debate. be placed in conineihe"'
l.