Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-26
SUDDEN RISE OF STATESMEN
Abrupt but Brilliant Debuts Often Made by
Obscure 0OngresSmsn.
RIDE TO FAME ON IMPORTANT MEASURES
Case Of John X. stewart of New York
in PrOtecting District Against
ExhOrbitant Taxation
an Example.
rrom a star Correspondent,

WASHINGTON, May 25. - (special.)--
Sometimes men in congress proceed with
their ordinary duties year after year with
out attracting any great attention and then
suddenly spring into prominence by the
advocacy Of or opposition to some impor'
tant measure. This was true in the casF
OF John X. Stewart of New York, who maze
a fight in the house against the organization
Of What would have been a pretty severe
tax upon the people of the city of Wash
ington. Until a few years ago there we're
two municipal corporations in the district,
one known as Washington and the other
as GEORGETOWN.
In each of these municipalities there ex-
listed a gas company. Both Of these COM
panies are owned by the same people. The
capital stock Of the larger company is ST.
900, 900 and that Of the smaller company
somewhere about 5000, 900. The company has
physical assets worth at a liberal estimate
S5,5o0,00O, and 1t was proposed to CONSOLE
date and capitalize at S13, $50, 900 without, Of
course, the payment Of an additional dollar
In the treasury Of the combined corporation.
In other words. the gas people planned a
nice little scheme whereby they proposed
to add about $1,000, 900 worth Of water to
their stock.
Hs worked day aud night gathering statis-
tics and information and he convinced the
house that to enact this bill into law would
be to set a dangerous precedent because 1t
would mean the endorsement Of a trust
right at the national capital. Besides this
1t would preclude the possibility OF a reduce
ton Of the price Of gas to consumers in
Washington for a generation.
Although there was a clear majority in
fovor of the bill until Mr.. Stewart took
! nm tho c,YduaI In dafonoa 80 fha 0aapIa ~
Washington, his arguments we're so clear
and so forceful that he soon won the night
and it will be a long time before another
ATTEMPT will be made to force 1000, 900
worth Of watered stock Of the Washington
Gaslight company upon investors. 1t Is
worthy Of note in this connection that the
stock quotations show a falling of In the
quoted value of gas light stock OF 81, $50, 900
since the defeat Of the consolidation scheme.
Reforms in Liquor Laws.
A reform movement has been started in
Washington for the double purpose OF
more rigidly enforcing the liquor laws and
bringing about the enactment of a law that
will close up business houses that keep
open on the Sabbath. A local organization
that is leading in the agitation for a Sun
day law detailed scouts to patrol a certain
part Of the city below Pennsylvania avenue
and take account OF all places OF business
that were open. Then scouts went over
all that part Of Washington south
Of the avenue from Georgetown
to the navy yard and counted $50 stores
open and doing business. No account was
taken of drug stores and lunch rooms
which are not included in the list OF places
at which the proposed law is directed.
A similar canvass will be made in other
sections of the city and when the stats
tics have been arranged they will be pre-.
sented to the house committee on the Dis
trict Of Columbia, in charge of the Sabbath
observance BILL as an indication of the
need OF such legislation. The canvass was
made in order to refute the statement Of
local officials that Washington business mer
observed the Sabbath and that there wa.
no occasion for action by congress.
Sentiment in the house has not been as
certained definitely. but the committee thai
will pass on the bill is said to be opposed
to hasty action. so the chances are tina
the reform measure will not be reportet
at this session of congress. Advocates o
a Sunday law say they will keep up thei
fight until the bill is either passed o.
defeated.
The temperance reformers started thei
movement against the saloons by havinI
| the managers OF the cafes at the capito
arrested for selling liquor without licenses
| For many years liquor has been dispense,
to thirsty statesmen and others at boil
the house and senate ends and although ef
forts have been made repeatedly by the ad
vocates of temperance to stop this practic
they have invariably met with defeat. a
: the senate and house committees on publ
d buildings and grounds have supported tn
managers Of the cafes. At the trial Of thos
: arrested last week the point was made b
) counsel for the accused that the allege
offense vas committed on a reservation
> over which congress had exclusive supervi
sion and that therefore the courts OF tn
I District Of Columbia had no Jurisdiction
The cases are still pending. but the chance
are that a way will be found out OF tn
difieulty and that congressman will con
: tinue to present themselves at the bars Q
n the house and senate with astonishing reg
ularity.