The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-05-08
SHORT TALKS
Brief Comment On Political and other
Matters Of Public Interest.
(ANnREN 7 pAIM)

ANDREW PALM)
Our dress parade naval officers nre
rudefy disappointed because our rep
resentation at the crowning of his
royal hghness King Edward issto be
limited to single vessel. 1t was
thought that this spectacular display
Of royalty would give our naval off,
GERS an opportunity to make great
show of our ability to kill those who
may incur our displeasure; but now
to be cut down to single vessel is
too mean for anything. The English
are having so much expense in connec-
ton with the stubborn Beers that they
perhaps didn't feel like feeding 80
many naval officers, who strut about
In purple and fine linen, and fare
sumptuously every day. Teddy should
at once wire Eddy that we shall gladly
furnish the grub. II he will but con-
sent to have our entire fleet attend the
browning Of the king. We seem to be
stuck on kings lately, and all kingly
undertakings. The sight of two men
displaying dirk knives, slung shots
and revolvers as a token of their
Christian feelings toward each other
would be so ridiculous as to lead to
the conclusion at once that they must
be drunk. The spectacle of two great
nations sending huge black monsters
of death and destruction on state &C.
casions as token of good will and
friendship is even more ridiculous
than that of the drunken men. True
Christians have no use for armies and
navies. no need of swords, guns and
implements that suggest only the saw
age In man, no thought Of preparing
themselves so as to be able to slaugh-
ter their fellow men to settle dis
agreement. But then who has been so
thoughtless as to say that we are true
Christians?
The number Of men in congress who
are reported as opposed to certain
vicious bills, but still vote for them is
altogether too large. The man who is
conscientiously opposed to a bill and
yet turns in and gives it his vote be-
cause he has less courage than judg-
ment, and is afraid of the party whip
isn't fit to do business for the public
and ought to be retired at the earliest
opportunity. Senators Allison and
Spooner are conspicuous examples by
their action on the ship subsidy bill.
Being intelligent and conscientious
=,
scruples against any such public steal.
Both said in effect that it is an in
iQuitous measure and yet both voted
for 1t. This affords another argument
for electing senators by direct vote. 1t
is doubtful whether either Allison or
Spooner would dare go before the peo-
pie of his state and ask to be elected
after supporting subsidy grabs and
other questionable measures. 1t is the
fear of facing the direct vote of their
constituents that will defeat the ship
subsidy steal in the house If 1t is de-
feated at all.
The ship subsidy steal is hanging fire
In the house until the members find
out, II they can, whether the measure
is likely to lose votes for the party If
II becomes a law. The people have
been stupid enough to submit to all
sorts of steals under the name of pro-
lection, and they are now likely to be
submitted to another under the name
of subsidy or the more genteel and less
suggestive title Of ship differentials.
The scheme is unpopular with the COM
mon people, who will have the bills to
pay, no matter under what name the
steal is perpetrated, but it is a favor
ite with the millionaires who want it
passed to recoup themselves for the cor
ruption fund they put up the last two
presidential campaigns. There is
about as much real difference between
ship subsidies and ship differentials
and stealing as there is between lar
ceny and burglary.