The morning times., 1895-12-20
POLITICAL FIREWORKS.

fOI1 llCAL FINE w OhhS.
There is something about the patriotism
of Senator Chandler that reminds one OF
the vaporings of 4 teakettle. That part of
his anatomy which does not bubble and
steam when il comes to an International
question would De difficult 10 hit with a
hostile bullet, were ii exposed, and if it
could be safely separated from the big end
of his body, the effervescing Senator might
go to war with perfect impunity- He wants
Congress to purchase Il million OF arms and
maintain an army on war footing: also
to bsiild a powerful navy and establish
costly seacoast defenses. When this is
done he will doubtless ask our national
legislature to begin the conquest Of Mars.
1t might be well TO add that Mr.. Chandler
belonged to that noble band of patriots
who built a tariff wall around this country,
and that this last effort is probably in-
tended as parapet 10 that wall upon
which his party may stand guard over the
destinies of our nation.
1t would cost the United States $780,.
OO0, 900 TO carry out the project OF Senator
Chandler This sum may seem n mere
bagatelle to his exaggerated mental vision,
but it means a good deal TO the American
public and it would involve the happiness
of many a citizen i'll the increased taxa
tions such an enormous expenditure would
make necessary. 1t is easy for statesmen
of Senator Chambers caliber to propose
these bumfuzzle schemes. To them they
inns
wasted in their preparation. But the pub
lie, who do not understand the tricks OF
politicians, look upon these elaborate efforts
TO make a newspaper reputation, as eX-
aniples of patriotic craftsmanship.
The present Congress will bristle with
such warlille measures; but like the quills
Of porcupinc, they will neither be dan
gerous nor far-reachng. In the absence
of opportunity 10 enact party legislation,
the Congressional ma Jority must resort to
burning this kind Of political red fire. But
the House has ovcrreached Itself In adopt.
ing the Venezuelan appropriation. and II
the Senate follows its example, an eruption
OF Mount vesuvIus will dwindle to insigni.
ficance compared TO the international fire
works that will follow.
THE VERDICT ALREADY KNOWN.
The public will hold its breath from sheer
amazement should the Senate resolution
to investigate the efforts of corporations to
control legislation amount to anything but
political buncpmbe. The last Senate in
corporated in the tariff law a measure
intended to annihilate trusts; but. instead
of doing. so. these hurdensomc corporations
are more numerous a nd arrogant than ever.
1t is possible that the antitrust law was
enacted in good faith. If SO, it would be
well for the Senate TO make inquiry why
ff ffias not been enforced.
In conducting lis investigation on the
methods adopted by corporations to con-
troll the election of Congressman and also
| tosifrhience Congressional legislation, the
Senate might, secure valuable Information
by ascertaining how many Senators and
Representatives are either members of cor
porations or in their pay as advisory coun-
sci. Further light on the subject might
| also be obtained from list of Congress-
men who are under Obligations to corpora
| tons through the acceptance of compli-
meutary passes franks and similar favors.
When the list of the national legislators
| who belong to the abovc-namcd classes is
! made up IL VIII be found that but few Con-
gressmen are left TO answer no when it
comes to voting on important legislation
that Concerns corporations.
1t will not be SO easy to learn how cor
porations manage TO secure the election
of Congrcssnen favorable to their inter-
ests. The wire pulling is generally done
in the selection OF delegates to Congress
sional conventions, and the party in the
ma jerity in the several districts usually
profits by the support of corporate influ-
ence. Many of the Senators and Repre-
sentaiives might If they chose to do SO,
tell precisely how it IS done. But, as they
will not be placed OF the witness stand. the
proposed inquiry Will doubtless end as did
the one that investigated the Senatorial
sugar trust stock dealing.