The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-11-20
Circulation statement.
The Lobby Season Opens.

The Lobby Season Opens
On several occasions we have given the
encouraging warning to raw and ripe
statesmen alike that the approaching win
ter in Washington is likely TO prove the
most fruitful and wide open one IN the
legislative history Of this country After
some years Of effort the present leaders OF
the party IN power have succeeded nohly IN
fixing in cur political system the principle
that there is 20 duty which attaches 10 the
possession Of public office OF influence, save
the duty Of making money out Of the pos
session of either It follows that, when
legislation is desired by any OF the vested
interests which combinedly control the Re
publican organization and its Administra-
ton. although such legislation is certain
to be had. it must De paid for.
For the sake Of fastening the ultimate
rule Of money instead Of votes upon the
country the trusts, monopoIies, and com
binatiols have been willing to risk the ex-
pense which the single gold standard of
duty would entail, if adopted by Senator's
and Representatives generally. The reyo-
luton has been effected, and its results
viii be found next winter 10 extend TO the
halls Of Congress. What the cliques with
pet measures of Treasury loot expect to
get this year will be very costly to them
They are preparing for the struggle. and
some Of their a vance agents are already
on the ground. From what these gentry
confde to their companions over the des-
sort CT the jackpo., the conclusion is in
evitable that champagne. burgundy, terra
pin, birds, Holsters, and these delicate green
salad leaves that grow so opuIently in the
Bureau Of Engraving and Printing. viii be
. II zntier in this Capital during the next ses-
sion than ever before. Opportunities for i'm
pecuniGus young members, whose votes are
desired. to win large sums at cards. with
nothing to go in on but the traditional pep
permint lozenge, are to be too numerous
TO mention Representatives with ccnsei-
ertious scrupIes about gambling viii he
accommodated at any one Of several stock
1ickers. and ultra good, pure, and pious
Senator's. who are not to be had in either
way. Will be presented with handsome
copies OF the Bible, between the leaves Of
which they viii be apt to find most COM
forting and useful paper bookmarks.
The lobby is even now upon the ground,
ANYMORE or less at work At least we ian
cy so. from the announcement that bur-
glars have visited the Office OF the Inter
Oceanic Canal Commission, and broken
open the desk OF its secretary, evidently
with the laudaBle purpose of discovering
what its report to Congress is to te-
This, of course, tends TO show either that
one or more Of the interests opposed TO
the Nicaragua Canal desires foreknowl-
edge Of the Commissions conclusions, in
order 10 arrange the line of battle against
the American Cana, proposition, - that
some combination n Wall Street would
like a tip for use on the Stock Exchange
Whatever may be the proper deduction
there can be no doubt that the Canal
question will be a casus beI1i in Congress,
and that its discussion will cause elo-
quenee, cold bottles, and cold cash to flow
like the Potomac after a Hood up tie
country
We observe with close interest that Al
zninistration people are talking giibly
shout an early passage OF The Nicaragua
Canal bill, with the Hay-Palncefote
Treaty attached as string TO make the
waterway British Senator HawIey fur
nishes an exception in predi2ting that he
Nicaraguan route viii be reported upon
faverably by the Commission, xiii be
adopted. and that the Hay-Pauncefote
Treaty viii be rejected or amended, so
that the canal can be American and fer
titled by the United States. Such Tatri-
otic prophecies are more cre1itaole 10 the
prophet than convincing to the public
Marcus a Hanna, it will be disco -erej, is
the single legislator who viii muen affect
the destinies of bills in the ensuing se5
sion. He Is not advertising his purposes
TO any great extent What he Goes say
in a casual manner is not eaIcnlafeI 10
convey any assurance that his relations
TO the Panama exploitation scheme have
undergone the least change since last
spring. In any event, no Senator or mem
Der need feel discouraged. The Trans-Con-
tineatal lobby and the Panama lobby will
be on hand to help the Ship Subsidy lobby
in making life IN Washington for the next
four months one long green dram Of
rapture.