The evening times., 1895-09-04
1NrERDEpENDENT MoNoPoL1Es

s
INrERDEPENDENT MONOPOLIES.
II gives one a creepy sensation to con-
template the corkscIew acrobatic feats OF
the Washington Gaslight Company in its
endcavor TO show that it is doing the best
IL can for the public, and that it is merely
charging price absolutely necessary for
the maintenance of its own existence.
One prop after another has been knocked
from under this company's superstructure
of equivocation and evasion, and it would
seem 10 most people that its last lie had
been exhausted; but it still forges ahead
with new inventions, each one more orna-
mental than its predecessor.
After all, however, 1t is possible the gas
company is hot the greatest criminal While
il excuses it's moral obiiquity with the self
assurance that 1t is bat pursuing the course
of all greedy corporations, whose mission
II is to grow fat and gross upon heavy con-
tributions from the public, there is no excuse
for the Indifference of Congress and the
authorities. There is yet less
excuse for certain members of the news
paper press who offer Gevotions to the pub
lie upon the street corners and housetops
with true Pharisaic vigor while secretly
playing the pickpocket and nipping the pub
lie purse
Cooperative greed is growing obsolete.
The people are discovering that franchise
for the use of public streets and for the sup
ply of pubic necessities must not be given
10 individuals or combinations whose greed
is their religion, but that such machinery
must be constructed and operated by the
people themselves and patrons and con-
sumers charged only enough 10 meet the
cost OF operating.
This can only be accomplished through
legislation, and therefore the people should
see TO 1t, through the most effective and
promptest methods, that Congressional COM
mittees having District affairs in their keep
ing shall be composed of men who cannot b.
bribed, and that newspapers whose silence
or utterance is purchased shall be rebuked
and exposed and in every way discredited.
CUBAN INSURG ENT FACTIONS.
The latest news from Cuba indicates that
INC lCbCio " ho uJc stAuESiiS WIN Psttii
otic bravery to throw off the yoke OF Spanish
misrule are in danger of weakening their
cause by disputes in regard to policy.
Gomez. one of the leaders, is said to favor
home rule, with relations similar to those
obtaining between the Canadian and the
British governments, while Maeeo, an
other and brilliant chieftain, will have
nothing less than absolute independence,
with a republican form of government.
The dispute is unfortunate, as any lack |
of common purpose must weak the
cause of the patriots. As the warriors and. |
the sinews of war are drawn largely from
the United States, the Cuban "Junta,"
which appears TO have its headquarters |
at New York, and which is really engin- |
eering the rebellion, should use its in /
rluence to compose matters. 1t is ques- |
ion of some doubt whether home rule /
and dependency" or perfect indepcnd-
ence with republican government would
aim. That which presents the greatest
possibility for long advance step would
seem to be the wisest policy.
Many Cubans who dislike Spanish rule
Ire not ready for the republic on account
Of fear that an Objectionable element
would be in the ma jority were popular
suffrage and perfect independence accom-
,lished. Opposing policies, however, may
10 more than Spanish bullets and bayonets
o defeat any sort of advance movement,
and the reported factienal dispute is
therefore, to be regretted by all who pro-
est against Spain's domination in the
Queen of the Antilles.