The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-19
In the Grosvenor Gallery.

II ever the complete confessions OF
that great and good Ohio statesma an
Gen. CHARLES HENRY GBosvENoR are
published the world will have a work
full Of humor self-revelation and Con-
gressional psychology. A slice Of those
delectable memoirs lis In the Congress
sional Record OF Feb. 10. SO long has 1t
taken the Athenian sage to smoothe
and FURNISH his railroad rate bill speech
made in the House, Feb. 8.
Rich is this characteristic apprecia-
ton of the Grosvenorian elastic cushion
political game:
Il had occasion something like year ago 10
defend the Presldea, OF the United States against
assaults upon him by the Democratic minority, and
among other things which fell to my lot was 70 de-
fend him against assaults myself mad made upon
him. Laughter snd Applausel
Excellent opportunism. One thinks OF
that Ingenious French officer who,
sternly called TO account by Secretary
of War KNOX whom he had asked for
an Office, for having abused WASHINGTON
scandalously. said: 20, meant moth
ing; thought it was popular
One more picture for the Grosvenor
Gallery After praising the railroads,
admitting that the railroad rate bill
amounts to proposition to seize si2,-
900, 900. 900 worth OF property to-day han
died and managed to the tremendous
advantage of the people OF the United
States, and make that property subject
to the caprices OF politics; after admitting
that when you take away the right TO
fix prices you leave only a nominal
ownership; after predicting that Gov
eminent control OF coal mines and Gov
eminent regulation of the price Of labor
will be the next steps, Gen. GRosyENoR
right-about-faced gayly and closed with
out grin or wink:
And now comes the pertinent question am
asked. II all this be true. why do you vote for the
bn1' voted for tho bill to repeal the canteen law
1 believed al the time thai IL was unwise vote
know It now did It because there was such
public clAmor tina, the people would take nothing
less. The Popullstic idea that tho people should
own the railroads and that private ownership in
railroad is a myth IA being tostered and promoted
In this country 10 an cIlcnF tnaN ~ aaNOhanhGi anu
the people have been taught TO believo that tho
railroad management OF the country Is In enmity
10 their interests and after long study OF this sub
jeot by the able committee that produced this bill
/ am not willing 10 put my own judgment up against
the judgment OF that committee when the action Of
that committee seems to be demanded by such
popular canor In the country do not stop to
discuss how that olAmor arose. do not stop TO
discuss that during tho mighty campaign Of 1904
| never heard the subject preached. | do not stop
to discuss the phenomena OF this popular uprising
but bow TO the apparent demand that something
must be done. and am trying to do the best can.
As lover OF my country and - = friend OF the
common people pray that good may como from
the passage OF this bill. II It does. tho men who
have projected IL shall have the honor II II does
not and evil results they shall have the assurance,
30 far as my voice goes. that they have honestly
done the best they could"
Gen. GRosvESoR is franker than most
of his colleagues. They, too, belong in
the Grosvenor Gallery. They vote not
according to their knowledge their
belief. their best judgment, their con-
science, but according to their under
standing, often their misunderstanding,
Of what the people want.
What a compliment to pay TO the peo-
pie, to think and say in effect: This is
fool bill, but the people favor it