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

There are some respectable journals and
people who appear TO 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 ii when the gavel 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-
ficiaries 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 1t
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 it is currently reported and
believed that they have anticipated its pas
sage and acquired foreign bottoms, or
options on them, in way to confine the
benefits of the scheme exclusively to them
selves. This is suggested in theiS insis-
tence, 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
it is 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
rangements 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 il.
They may be assured that it is their high
est duty to pass The bill but most partisan
statesmen of the sort in the employ Of the
combination would rather have modest
lnoiety CT the sum total in their own blue
jeans than to see any conceivable sum, DO
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
but, to the last man, they would
defend the principle as being founded upon
sound business methods
1t is possible, of course. that one or two
of the nine millions may be diyisible
among those who are deserving and need it
in their private business before the bulk
is dropped into the box. In that case it
would strike us that the prospects for the
bills passage between now and next July
should not be considered as hopeless
There are many earnest and untiring pa
trio;s in the House Of Representatives
" hose votes for the Payne Porto Rican in
their ever coming back to another Con-
gress To them the future holds out no
except to make hay while the
sun Of the current session is shining. We
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,
but consequently, of the cam
paign barrel.