The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-05-01
SHORT TALKS
orisf Comment On Political and Other
Matters Of Public Interest.
(ANDREw j. PALM.)

tAANbhHN Ai<thst
The result Of the recent election in
Chicago shows what the people think
Of municipal ownership and what they
will decide IL they but get the oppor-
tunity of expressing their wishes. The
voters of the Queen City were asked
10 express their opinion as to whether
the city ought to own the street rail
roads, gas, water and electric light
plantS within the city limits. The re-
suit was that six times as many voted
in favor Of such ownership as against
IL. Any different result would not have
heen expected from a sensible lot Of
voters, unless still larger majority
might have been looked for. The
people who will vote to give their own
valuable franchises into the control Of
grasping individuals are stupid, or cor
rupt. or both.
Quay was anxious to have the pleas
ure of owning governor, and used
this as a reason why he wanted Stone
four years ago. The Old Mans owner
ship was absolute for a time, but 1t Is
evident that Stone has grown weary of
playing political dog and refuses long
er to obey his masters call. Elkin isn't
Quay's choice, for he well knows that
Elkin owes allegiance to other bosses
whom he would serve. The truth is
that Quay has reached that point in
his political career when he can no
longer dictate to the other big bosses
in his party. His political power is on
the wane, and much as he may dislike
the fact and try to conceal it, he will
be obliged hereafter to fall in and go
along, or suffer defeat at the hand of
younger and more vigorous men who
have graduated in his political school.
Quay has but little choice in the mat
ter, for it becomes more clear day by
day that Elkin will be nominated
whether the Old Man wants him or not.
1t Is high time that the honest Demo-
Gratis of the state should see to it that
no more Democratic traitors be sent to
the legislature to disgrace themselves
and their party. The treachery of a
few men, elected as Democrats, to the
last two sessions of the legislature de-
served death as much as treachery in
the army ever deserved 1t, but since
physical death cannot be visited upon
them, either legally or morally, let
and so certain that it will place them
beyond hope of resurrection. For de-
cency's sake, and for the sake of hon.
est government let every honest Demo-
crat take solemn vow that he will do
his utmost to keep all such men from
being nominated to represent his par
ty. Better far elect a machine Repub-
lican than a Democrat tainted with
Quayism. There are certainly enough
Democrats of influence, character and
self respect in every county Of the state
to prevent the disgrace of sending Quay
Democrats to the next legislature, no
matter whether they want to do their
dirty work in the house or the senate.
Every man who has attempted to de-
fend our brutal and treacherous deal
ings with the Filipinos has contradict
ed himself as well as the truth when
trying to explain the situation so as to
make our course harmonize with what
ought to be expected of a civilized ma
ton. In his testimony before the SEN
ate committee General Otis declared
that he believed Aguinaldo to be strict
ly honest in money matters, but having
few equals in duplicity. Aguinaldo
must differ very widely from all his
American brethren, for if there is any
one thing which will bring out their
dupliclty it is money matters. More
lies are told, more deception practiced
and more downright deviltry of all
kinds perpetrated because men are not
like Aguinaldo, strictly honest in mon
ey matters, than from any other cause
Otis, like all the others who have been
called to justify our outrageous con-
duct in the Philippines, dislikes to lie
hut dislikes still worse to tell the un-
pleasant truth which convicts us OF
treachery and rankest hypocrisy in oul
dealings with the Filipinos. Our whole
conduct toward them from start tc
finish has been simply outrageous and
Otis knows it.
Mr.. Finn, the gentleman from Pitts
burg, announced some time ago that
he has retired from politics, and, act
ing on the theory that repetition en-
forces truth, he repeats the assertion
at regular intervals. that no one MAY
make a mistake and think he is still
doing political stunts. 1t Is almos
certain that any political cause woult
suffer in the public estimation if 4
were suspected that it had Mr.. Films
sympathy. 1t is a question whethe
politics didn't really shrink from Mr.
Finn before he decided to perform tn,
retiring act. 1t is true that he doe
not retire very honorably but it il
equally true that it would be impossi
ole for him to remain in politics will
honor to himself or credit to any part,
with which he might ally himself. TIL,
reason why Finn was a political fail
IRE is that he devoted his whole ener
sies to furthering his personal inter
ssts. In other words, he was in poll
tics for what there was in It, Had h,
stOQd nm and done hattla for tha pub