The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-13


the Secretary Of War
CuIiOsities OF Congress True Position
of Journalists.
From he Herald.
During the proceedings OF the House OF Repre-
sentatives on Tuesday very curious incident
occurred. Mr. washburne, of Illinois, read an
extract from a Massachusetts paper, edited by
Mr.. BALDWIN, member of the House, which
charged that a railroad bill that had recently
been passed was designed to relieve the Illinois
Central Railroad from its obligation to carry the
mails and troops of the United States free of
charge. As the bill passed by the House pro-
yides that any railroad shall perform Govern
ment service and receive compensation therefor,
it certainly has the effect OF relieving the Illi-
Iois Central and all other roads that entered
into similar agreements in regard to Govern
ment transportation in return for donations of
public lands, although those who passed 1t may
have had no such intention.
Mr.. Washburne having engineered the bill
through the House, naturally felt aggrieved by
Mr.. Baldwin's charge, and hence his speech and
the debate which followed. But, as the debate
proceeded, the fact was developed that the bill
had been passed under the previous question, and
that but few of the members who had voted for
it knew any thing about its provisions. When
Mr. Baldwin was asked why he did not state his
objections on the floor of the House, instead OF
writing them in letter to his paper, he replied
that he "had sought to obtain the floor to make
statement, but it was impossible to do So"
Having thus exposed their own ignorance, the
folly OF hasty legislation, and the nuisance OF
the gag-law OF the previous question, the mem
bers of the House concluded to send to the
Senate for their bill, and to make it the subject
OF some intelligent consideration.
Whether or not they will again pass it is their
own affair; but we at least hope thai they will
endeavor to understand what they are voting
upon next time. 1t is all very well to strike a
blow at the Camden and Amboy monopoly. but
it is not necessary to build up other monopolies
by the same means. The Illinois Central has
contracted 10 carry Government mails and troops
| free of charge in consideration of certain dona-
tions of land, and the land has been given to the
| company. 1t seems very singular that there IS
| nobody in Congress wise enough to draw a bill
| that Will enable the Government to use other
| roads for fair compensation without releasing
the Illinois Central from its contract Obligations.
But there is another equally curious phase OF
| this Congressional incident. Here we find Mr..
| Baldwin, OF Massachusetts, appearing before the
| House in the dual capacity of editor and men,
| ber of Congress. He is called to account as a
| member for what he said in his paper. Several
| other gentlemen are In the same position, and
are equally liable to find themselves in the same
difficulty. In opinion the duties OF an editor
| and Congressman are totally incompatible.
| No man has light to assume to discharge them
| at the same time. Ii he devotes himself to the
public service and becomes good legislator he
will neglect his duties as journalist; and if he
| gives the necessary time and attention to the
conduct of his paper he will be of very little use
| as q legislator. In the past period OF American
| journalism people were accustomed to take the
| EDITORS chair as a step to some political office.
They had no idea of the importance and re-
| sponslbilites OF the profession, and employed 1t
| as temporary tool to aid their political ad-
! vancement If by serving a party or by oppos-
| ing 1t they could write themselves into an office
! they were perfectly content. But since the es-
tablishment of the Herald journalism has be-
zn6 inn
| 1t now furnishes its own rewards, and there are
none higher for which any man can aspire. 1t
! supplies wealth enough to gfatify those who de-
| sire to make money, and honors enough to
| satisfy the largest ambition. Instead of serving
| politicians and parties it now manufactures
| them. 1t can place a President in the White
| House, or condemn Presidential aspirant 10
| obscurity. At it's word parties rise or fall.
Next to the people, whom it represents, it is
the greatest and the grandest power in this free
| country. No journalist who properly appre
ciates his profession would barter its advantages
and its influence for the highest Office in the
| land. Those who attempt to make it a mere ten
der to Congress try to degrade it, but only injure
themselves. No editor can go into Congress as
n member, and maintain that independence OF
! opinion as a Journalist which is the mdlspensa
| BILE requisite OF his success. In Congress he is
bound by party ties, whereas he should be a Dove
all parties. His paper can no longer criticize
| Congressional action or II 1t does he is at once
! called upon 10 explain and apologize His double
position may give him certain apparent advan
tage, as IN the case OF Mr.. Baldwln-for he may
be able to say in his paper what he is not per
mltted to say in Congress-but this advantage is
after all, only apparent, and is accompanied with
many disabilities.
The result is that we often find paper hold
ing one view, while its acknowledged editor il
his seat III Congress processes to entertain pre-
ciselS contradictory opinions. recent instanc
OF this remarkable antagonism is still fresh il
the minds OF the public. 1t is impossible u
speak with freedom when the orator is choke
olaaAtg ,.,t,
il Is equally impossible to write with freedom
when the pen is clogged with parliamentar
laws and partisan obligations. For these reason
we believe that Mr.. Baldwi and the other Con
gressional journalists are guilty OF a grave erro
III being 10 the House at all, and we should NJ
be surprised It, before the close of the session
their dual position should involve them in eve
more delicate dilemmas than that exposed b
the railroad debate.
Canada-ReciprOcity.