The record-union., 1896-03-18

yorable effects of such recognition have
been already discounted in advance.
All Of the political parties in Cuba (out-
side of the insurgents) have been solid
if ed in favor of a vigorous prosecution
of the war, although formerly some of
them were opposed to Spanish policy.
Then, too, the Spanish merchants in
Cuba and in some of the South Ameri-
can countries have combined to boy
colt American goods. Except for the
search of our vessels on the high seas,
about all the mischief possible has been
already done
A SUPERFLUOUS APPENDAGE.
Los Angeles Herald: There is q grow
ing sentiment among the people in favor
of abolishing ehaplains in Congress and
legislative bodies. No good reason can
be given for the continuance of that
superf1uous appendage, the legislative
chaplain. There are, however, several
cogent reasons why he should be drop
ped out.
religious exercise in. political
body assembled for purely political
and business purposes is out of place,
as there are likely to be present per-
sons of various religious beliefs and
uioOciiciSs SOIHe u WIOih
such an exercise is distasteful Fur
thermore, there is no affinity between a
sincere prayer and the average legisla-
ton of the country. They will no more
harmonize than light and darkness. To
say that the regulation prayer offered
by chaplain before a legislative body
is a cold formality, would be drawing it
mild. 1t is worse than that, it is farce.
REFUNDING SCHEME OF NOR
CAMS.
San Jose Herald: Senator Morgan's
proposition for the settlement of Pa
cific railroads matters amounts vir-
.tually to a Government receivership un-
til such time as the debt to the Govern
ment is paid, combined with a refund
ing scheme at per cent for thirty
years.
The chief point of interest in this
proposition is it's illustration of the
hopeless difference of opinion as to what
the Government ought to do. Morgan
has been the chief inquisitor for the
Government in committee, and has
earned the plaudits of the anti-funding
crowd by the vigorous manner in which
he has pushed his inquiries and roasted
Huntington. He has given the latter
several bad quarter-hours.
Now it remains to be seen how his
late supporters will receive his refund
ing proposition. Will they accept it as
proper solution of the difficulty, or will
they denounce him as a traitor who has
gone over to the enemy? The fact that
his resolution involves the ejectment
from office of the present directors in
favor of a Government board may rec
orcile them to the retunding scheme
Morgan proposes to reduce the stock
of the companies to the actual value of
the property. That can hardly make
much difference in the situation. 1t is
not the stock but the bonded indebted
trouble. Stock that pays no dividends
is not a very formidable feature. Be-
side 1t may be doubted whether the
stock is in excess of the actual value of
the property.
Another question naturally arises
whether the Government directors will
have any better success than the pres
ent managers in making the roads pay.
If other lines should take a notion to
boycott the route it would not be over
burdened with business. Nor is it ap-
parent how it is going to help the peo-
pie at large by reducing rates. To do
what is expected in the way of meeting
expenses and paying off Indebtedness
it must get business at paying rates.
In brief, Senator Morgans plan, like
all others, must be prepared to stand
great deal of criticism from all sides.