The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-07
A NOTE or WARNING.

Men who scheme to commit Federal leg
islation to the promotion of corporate and
selfish interests are always resourceful
and rarely overlook an opportunity. In
recent times no more daring scheme has
been originated to utilize the National
government to the accomplishment Of pri-
yate ends and gain than that which Is
represented In the Hanna Payne ship sub
sidy bill
The grave charge is made by the Denver
Post that a New York agent of the ship
subsidy iniquity will be on hand. on the
occasion of the Transmississippi Con-
gress, with the view OF committing the as
sembly to an Endorsement OF the special
plea that government aid is necessary
to build up our merchant marine. Whom
the fact is considered that the New York
Navigation company. dominated by the
Standard OIL interests. would become the
principal beneficiary by the success Of,
the ship subsidy bill, some conception is
had of how assduously tho Congress
should guard against allowing itself to be
made possible party to the nefarlous
deal. But here is what the Denver Post
has to say ON the subject:
From the published programme of the pro-
ceedbgs OF the Transmlssssippi Congress. IL
/ 10 apparent that the special Interests viii be
well represented there, and also some inter
ests which have no business in that Con-
gross. But as they will be there, they should
ho watched carefully. Tho advocates OF tho
ship aubsidy steal now pending before con-
cress. have succeeded in obtaining a hearing
4 for their agent lie will be sent on all the
/ way from New York. and as he was successful
I last year in inducing the Congress to recon-
mend the steal he will no doubt make a
strong effort in the same direction again.
/ inasmuoh as tho bill has been reported in
! congress for passage ana the great majority
/ OF the members from the West are opposed
I 20 the measure. An Endorsement of II by
the Transmississippi Congress would be
rsed TO whip the oonaressmeu into line for
/ the steal. 1t IS well for the delegates TO
understand this aud TO be Iorovarned
There arc some highly cominendablc sub
| 1ects on tho nrogramme. but also some that
| might be eliminated without imparipg the
usefulness of tho meeting. Irrigation and
| live stock Interests mines and mining, trans
! nortaton ard our commercial relations with
| Mexico. ara subjects which Interest the whole
West. OF like concern is the aria land 1ues-
| ton. II the Congress will conhne itself to a
thoroueh and careful consideration OF these
questions. it's time will he fully employed,
| and II can ACCOMPLISH some tangible good
| II. on tho other hand II permits eNtraneouS
matters TO slim in aud occupy Ia time. Il is
! likely to accomplish nothing and besides.
lend itself 10 the support of dlsrepMtable 1obS
The programme. as published. indicates tina,
II has not been carefully considered and u
would he we'll for tho committee IN charge 10
amend II at the FIRST opportunity. The Con.
sress should not he made the catspaw OF
schcmers who desire 10 use II for the further
ance OF their questionable schemes
Excent in so far as Its statement is adj
visedly made. as to the agent OF the shir
subsidy BILL We can not agree with our
contemporary that ut Is apparent that
the special interests viii be represented
in the Congress" Ii they do show up,
however. 'they should be watched care
4 fully" to the end that the great purpose
OF the assembly be not defeated by rep
resentatives OF selfish Interests who have
determined upon this shrewd plan to COM
nit the most thoughtful and progressive
constituents In the Northwest 10 propo-
sitons that would embarrass their mem
hers in the Federal congress, with respect
10 great issues In which the whole couu-
try is yitally concerned, Nor do we be-
lieye it TO be the province OF the press
to suggest the scope and character of ,he
questions to be discussed by the Congress.
We prefer to leave this to the committee
on programme and to the good sense OF
the Congress itself, trusting meanwhile
to Its ability and discretion TO conflne
results to the general good OF the ire
mendous territory It hopes TO advance
But II the Congress, which is not at all
likely in our view, be made the "catspaw
of schemcrs" the press should and win
speak out.