Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1845-1851, 1848-12-28

own way, address hi, constituents free of EXPENSE
with such facts and arguments he deems best suit
ed to his purpose. This is adsana &c over his CON-
peiltr OF slight importance. and Of en-. very often,
controls the result But tie abuse of this priveg is
greatest uta Presidential election. For many years
pnst The principal efforts Of tie long sessions ju.t
prior To the election have been produce reports and
speeches, deemed best calculated By each party to in
fuenre the result. which franked broadcast
The land These Instead of enligLlcning tie public
mind tend 10 confuse il such efforts are exerted not
TO disseininate truth alone, bu put that face upon
things best calculated 10 control the canvass The
evil does not stop here. Each party collect, iis funds
generally BY contributions cXaced from Office holders
and employs and stations al Washnginn such men,
bers OF both houses of Congress il is believed are
most adroit managers and ready fankers. These su-
perincnd the printing of speeches and pamphlets the
folding. directing and Thanking them all parts Of
the country. As tie member members thus en-
ployed about equal with equal means and indus
try they accomplish about the result. Each par
ty succeeds by this abuse Of The frankng privilege,
IN nrousing their parizans aud stirring up the bitter
waters OF strife without essentially controlling the
result The fight being with equal weapons rs well
aS strength and perseverance. generally ends where
II begun, the and tear of cha rac,cr and the
loss of temper and amiable feeling. There are
at Washington, plaioons of members of Congress
poyed IN tins partlzan labor. Literally cart loads of
printed matter sent off daily different parts Of
the country, to stir up the people, on either side with
the vain hope by each Of securing favorable results
From MI such labor no rood results 10 the countrv
can be expected to flow.
We may here safely ASK was the frankng privilege
designed to aid in such partizan efforts for public
office! VIII any member Of Congress boldly and
frankly tell his constituents and the world, that
preserved on The statute book for any such purposei
1t too late IN history pretend that such a law
is necessary To enable member Of Congress TO en-
Tighten his constituents aud the people Such an ALE
CATION might escape criticism when the people
deeply STEPPED IN ignorance that the few who have
been educated authorized control and govern.
In TINS country the people select their public SER
wants 10 out the views and wishes Of the cleo
tore, and to reflect their opinions and Intelligence
They do not elect them schoOlmasiers. The peo-
pie attend to their education in their wav. and
need no schooling political questions. On the
trary they instruct their public and inform
them in their duty. We doubt whether there is one
member Of Congress brazen-faced as TO tell his
constituents that they ignorant to know for
whom they ought to vote for President. any other
officer, and too stupid TO know what opinion TO adopt
and act upon. One who should do SO, would furnish
the most conclusive evidence of his Of quahca-
tons for Instructor representative. But If
bers are 10 play the schO0masler 10 their constituents
by determinations from Washington what is the prac-
teal result! One side teaches that democracy is a
blessing and whiggery curse. and the other a
,rary doctrine Each instructor leaves his pupils
where he found them, except more confirmed in good
bors. The people really made no more wise OF
happy by all this.
We appeal to the people say whether they
wish tier public servants clothed with such power
with invdious privilege, which Is really much
abused. and one that costs them So much
1t cannot be disguised that this system In its use
and abuse. Is palpably hostile the interest Of the
country press Instead Of resorng the local press
for useful documents and speeches, they printed
u at Washington aud distributed under the frank oi
members. the quantity transmitted u>uolly indicating
the extent Of the desire and expectations of re-elec
ton. of winning favor with those expected welc
= political power. Take awav this nnti-democrati,
privilege, and the country press will receive new
= impulse advantageous to itself and TO the coun'r,
where located BY abolisng il, the expense of trans
u porting the mails Will be materially diminished, ant
the great obstacle to low postage efieciualv removed
Abrogate The selfish personal privilege conferred b.
members 'henses es. and You will break up thos
eectioneering camps where rankers preside nd pros
tituc privilege conferred for oiLer purposes ant
leave the people. through the country and other pa
pers to ob'an such information and intelligence a
they desire. The heated and acrimonious contentious
usually exhibited ut elections will, ia consequence
e become much moderated The III effects Of an elcc
J, tion campaign will no, long linger among the peo
pie. The ties of friendship will then be less likely
: be sundered matters Of opinion, while III,
affections Of kindred will nearly cease TO be efaced b,
: them Will members Of Congress longer cling tc
this justly odIous and oft abused privilege, or vii
:. they patroticay abandon it What say the press
particularly the country press on this subject Dt
they 90 for the old system of privileged abuse
high hostages. or for REFORM purity and equality ans
u the low rates
ITEMS.