The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-27

There are some respectable journals and
people who appear 10 be convinced that the
scorching light Of publicity has killed the
Hanna ship Subsidy bill as far as the
present session Of Congress is concerned,
and perhaps they are right We shall be
ready to believe il when the gayel falls
some time next summer and the trust
schoolboys Of the Senate and House scatter
to their homes. to be questioned and casti-
gated according to their deserts.
When we reflect that it is from the bene-
fciaries of this precious measure that the
Republican machine hopes to secure its
largest single donation to the Presidential
campaign corruption fund, it is not easy to
think that the determination to jam it
through has been or will be abandoned
until the session is at its last gasp. The
Hanna bill not only provides millions for
the trusts engaged in ocean and lake trans
portation. but il is currently reported and
believed that they have anticipated its pas
sage and acquired foreign bottoms, or
options on them. in a way to confine the
benefits Of the scheme exclusively to them
selves. This is suggested in theiE insis-
tenee. through their agents in Congress,
upon the rejection in committee Of an
amendment extending for one year the
time in which American citizens could buy
foreign ships and earn the bounty. in fact
il is a matter of common talk in the
Capitol corridors and in Washington hotel
Hobbies that the five or six combinations in
the best position to control the situation
and seize the loot. have perfected their ar
rangemeuts TO swallow the whole OF it as
soon as the desired legislation can be had.
For The distinguished and devoted serv-
ices Of the Republican Administration and
managers in the premises. it is understood
that the steamship interests are willing to
devote one years subsidy or nine million
dollars, TO the noble purpose Of helping
Mr. Hanna TO purchase another Presiden-
tial election. The only point of doubt
in the connection is whether individual
Republican Senators and Representatives
who have been ordered to vote for the
measure. but whose constituents regard it
as a job and an outrage. can be wrought
up to any great pitch Of enthusiasm over it.
They may be assured that il is their high
est duty 10 pass the bin. but most partisan
Statesmen Of the sort in the employ Of the
combination would rather have a modest
moiety Ct the sum total in their own blue
jeans than to see any conceivable sum, no
matter how great. go into the bottomless
pit Of the campaign safe. They would
doubtless admit that this might not be
good politics" from an organization
viewpoint. but. to the last man. they would
defend the principle as being founded upon
sound business methods.
It is possible. Of course. that one or two
OF the nine millions may be diyisible
among those Who are deserving and need IL
in their private business before the bulk
is dropped into the box. In that case it
would strike AS that he prospects for the
bills passage between now and next July
should not be considered as hopeless.
There are. many earnest and unJiring pa
trio;s in the House Of Representatives
IS hose votes for the Payne Porto Rican in
fanny have destroyed the last chance of
their ever coming back to another Con-
gress To them the future holds out no
temptation. except to make hay while the
sun Of the current session is shining We
recommend to the subsidy schemers that
they bear this in mind. and be not over
porcine in their policy regarding legisla-
ton for the enrichment OF the trusts and,
incidentally. but consequently. of the cam
naign barrel