Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-03

The report of the Senate committee
charged with the sugar" investigation, can
hardly be regarded closing the contro-
versy for to the non-partisa reader there
is much testimony In the document to show
that political cleanliness is OF deemed to
be party essential Is IT not rather strange
that the sugar trust should give Of its profits
only to local committees ard not for the
purpose Of influencing national campaigns
or for the purpose of securing OF defeating
national legislation? The citizen who de-
sires 10 see the publication of politics may
reasonably ask why did the trust contribute
to campaign funds II not for purpose, and
what purpose could be served by the prac-
tice Of generosity to purely local commit
tees for local use? Is 1t easier to work
through the individual legislators from the
regions Immediately benefited than 1t would
be through the national campaign commit
tee Of the party In the majority? There is
much concealed force in the paragraph in
the report which says: Though perhaps
outside the scope of the duty imposed upon
your committee. they take occasion to
strongly deprecate the Importantly and
pressure to which Congress and It's men,
bers are subjected by the representatives
of great Industrial combination whose
enormous wealth tends to suggest undue
influence and to create in the public mind
demoralizing belief in the existence OF
corrupt politics" There may not have been
any improper relationships but IL is evil
dent that the contact is altogether toe
close. Several Senators seem to have spec
ula.ed in sugar stock. but not, says the
committee, during the tendency of the tariff
bill No matter when the purchases or sales
were made. there is no likelihood that the
trust knowingly permitted anyone likely to
be useful in ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS capac-
ity to lose any considerable sum of money
But laying aside The consideration which
might not unreasonably lie given the al
legged friendship Of prominent individuals
With the trust. there IS teXt-material for
countless sermons on the necessity of de-
cent politics in the statement made by SEN
ators Davis and Lodge in their supple
men tai report. THE sugar trust" say they.
by the evidence of its president and treas
urer. has contributed freely to the state and
city campaign funds OF both parties And
Its contributions have been made In years
when national elections were held. This is
thoroughly corrupt form Of Campaign
contribution, for such contributions being
given to the two opposing parties. are not
for the purpose Of promoting certain politi-
cal principles but to establish an obligation
TO the giver on the part of whichever party
comes into power. The trust does not give
to political parties for the promotion of
political principles in which 1t believes. but
for the protection of its own interests, as
appears by the same testimony. The fact
that it gives to both political parties is suf-
fcient proof Of the purposes of its contribu-
tons and Of their dangerous nature"
There may be continuous and vehement de-
NAL OF any effects beneficial to the trust
Consequent upon that Organizations cam
paisn hberality, but no one can dispute the
statement that the Senate bill, which at
this time seems to be the favorite in Con-
gressional betting circles, has a sugar
schedule which is thoroughly satisfactory
to the trust. by their works We shall know
them"