The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-24
Incidental Remarks by Mr.. ingalls,

Whatever criticism moralists may
volunteer concerning the gentleman
from Kansas, there can be no denial
of the readableness of the reported con-
versations of ex-senator ingalls,. His
talks for publication make incompar-
able copy" To a representative of
the Washington Star Mr. ingalls, re-
Gently unbosomed himself upon a num-
Der of the topics of the day, and from
the number we select for quotation his
comment upon the Chapman case:
I'm the old barbarous days If a COM
mon, plain plug citizen violated the laws
and was convicted and sentenced to inn
prisonment he was hustled into the Black
Maria, with policeman on the step, and
turned over to the jailer with unfeeling
and inhuman lack of ceremony. But here
when man suspected of corrupting leg
islation defies the senate and is convicted
by due process of law, the execution of
the sentence Is deferred till the delin-
quent has expressed his readiness to en-
dure the penalty. Obsequlous attendants
receive him upon his arrival in the city
as a distinguished guest He is consult
ed about the hour wnen he prefers to
have his incarceration begin. A diagram
of the prison is submitted to him that
he may select the most eligible apart
ments. Persian rugs alleviate the harsh
ness of the stony floor. Vans of furni-
ture are forwarded to replace the sim"
plier appointments of the CELL Trunks
OF fashionable apparel are conveniently
| stored for his access. Fellow prisoners
are detailed to act as Wallets of the cham
ber and cup bearers. A daily menu is
| prepared by a great chef for the selec-
| tion of viands and beverages to solace
his weary hours. Eminent citizens in
| carriages escort him to the gate. The
| iron cot is found to have been removed to
| make place for a brass bedstead with
luxurious upholstery whereon the minion
| of fortune may woo tired natures sweet
restorer, balmy sleep. Bryant evidently
| had modern Washington justice in mind
when in Thanatopsis he advised man to
so live that when his summons came TO
| join the innumerable caravan, he should
not go like a galley slave scourged to
| his dungeon. but
Sustained and soothed by an unfalt-
ering trust.
| Like one who wraps the drapery of his
| couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant
| dreams
! Hereafter should this example be imi-
| tated men will come to Washington to
| commit crime as in ancient days they
/
Concerning the sugar schedule in tho
senate tariff bill he said: From the
Republican point of view it would bt
| better that the tariff bill should fal
than that the senate sugar schedule
should stand. 1t is the most brazeI
and audacious hold-up of the century
1t makes train robbing respectable. 1
has no excuse except the insatiablt
greed and rapacity of the most shame
less squad Of plunderers that ever es
caIed the penitentiary. Ordinar!
marauders are content to rob a bank
or swindle a community. These brig
ands propose to pillage the nation, anC
to compel congress to become thei
accomplices. The trust schedule viii
destroy competition, annihilate the bee
sugar industry, and add to the oppres
sive burdens of every citizen of tn
United States, for the avowed purpos
of swelling the already inordinate gain
of a remorseless monopoly. These ar
the performances that explain popu
lism, and which, if not restrained, vii
make anarchy possible"
Asked if international bimetallisr
were probable he replied: 'Interna
tional bimetallism is a sonorous phrase
but when 1t is mentioned to the aver
age citizen he stops talking and wink'
or smiles, and asks about the priz
fight, or Cuba or the Greek war, G
whether colored shirts and tan shoe
are likely TO be worn much this sum
mer."
With all his faults, there is only on
Ingalls,.