Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-06-13
Pleasure of Being Member of Congress

From the La Crosse Democrat.
While in Washington last week, at the
rooms of member of Congress from
this State, we we're forcibly struck with
the pleasures Of his position, the little
work he had to do, eIc. Holding Office
is little less than martyrdom-yet
strange to say many people are ready to
be thus sacrificed for the good of their
country
The morning mail brought him nine.
ty-seven letters-all but three being on
business affecting in a greater or less
degree the interest of his State or consiit.
uents, This was an average mail One
man wanted posioflice and wanted to
know how he could get it. Another
wanted some flower seed Another
wanted information concerning how to
renew patent Another wanted his
son made Captain in the regular army.
Another wanted letter of introduction
to President Johnson Another wanted
a set OF Congressional Globes for the
past fovty-six years Another wanted
to know if Mrs. Lincoln had the frank
ing privilege Another wanted copies
of all the speeches made on reconstruc-
tion, saying in his letter that he was 60
ing to stump his Assembly District the
coming fall, and wanted to know what
to say Another wanted bounty claim
adjusted. Another wanted his nephew
to have secured for him good fat place
somewhere Another wants a pardon
for his father who was sent to State
prison for robbing a store Another
w nto ooptaa of III Tho nuhl;o docuo,anto
printed since 1850 Another wants
a situation for himself in the postoffice
and a situation for his wife in the Treas
ury Department, saying that he inte nds
giving up farming and going into politics,
winding up by saying he voted for Lin
coin and Johnson Another wants
some situation-don't care what-and
says be is too old for any kind of busi-
ness, except giving good advice An
other wants 10 know what the railroad
fare is from Washington to Baltimore.
A lady wants to know about the charac-
ter of her husband, who is clerk in one
of the Departments, and is particular TO
know if dark-haired, black-eyed, tall,
good-looking young lad" is ever seen
with him nights after his work
IS done. Another gives the amount of
his earnings for a year and wants to
know how much internal revenue he must |
pay
And so it was through the list One |
man wants a postmaster removed and |
another appointed, and TO accomplish |
his writes a private letter, which several |
leighbors endorsed, which, of course,
,.A
being used at Court.
Men write letters on all topics To
answer half Of these would work a Mem
Der of Congress sixteen hours out of
wenty-four He is expected to be al
Ways in his seat-to vote on all ques-
ions-to make one or two speeches q
yeek--to answer all the letters--to run
rom one Department to another on err
ands, which the applicant could do
'etter himself by writing direct TO the
)epartment-ts have hundred or more
,ffices at his disposal-to be judge Of
from political theories to po-
ey seeds-to answer all letters promptly
nd to be a political cyclopedia Of useful
and a savings bank from
Thich all his constituents can borrow
hen in Washington aud out OF money.
ie is expected TO keep open house for I
II comers, TO entertain frOh one to a
undred guests at his hotel continually
to subscribe literally for all docu-
tents, speeches, etc, and 10 have intu-
nee with all parties, from devils TO d.
ines-from Senators TO bounty brokers
from editors to the President
lrth TO heaven. We suggest that the
eople write few more letters 10 their
Iembers, and thus give them no time
, study the wants and interests Of the
Duntry.