The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1870-06-09
About Congress.

The following is taken from the Fond
du Lac Commonwealth 1t presents a
picture Of our present Congress which
ought to cause deep sorrow in the breast
of every true American, without any dis
tinetion of party.
Thank God, our own District is repre-
eented in Washington SO that no other IN
these United States can show better or
truer men in their respective officers; but
in regard to many other members in the
national councils it is. as the writer of
this article most truly says, hl0h tLnc,
that greater pains be taken, in selecting
MEN for Congressional honors:
"Whyis 1t that Congress has accom-
plished so little during the six months it
has been in session? If any one can an
swer, please let him step forward and do
SO, on the shortest possible notice. This
question is not only being asked by Ed
tors, but by the masses. We viii venture
the gneSs that there are men in both
branches of Congress who will say that
every particle Of the Legislation that has
been done since Congress convened in
December last, could have been done IN
two months, II not IN less time. Instead
of two months, they have squandered-
yes, squandered-that' the wofd-slx
months, and still they go laundering along.
The people have been anxlously looking
for something definite IN relation TO our
finances. They had hoped that the re-
construction business might De ended am
icably and much more rapidly, but It
seems they have hoped in vain. 1t has
seemed next to impossible for Congress
70 get right down to solid, substantial
work, this session. 1t is only too evident
that there is a screw loose-and we are
inclined to think there are several of
them.
SIN tae first place, Congress is getting
too many cheap orators-men who loose
10 opportunity to make fowery speeches
to show of to make Us in the dis
lance think they are great men. Now,
orators are good things. in their place,
but when they get into Congress and use
up weeks OF time In speeches that extend
only to the Congressional Globe-at q
great cost to the Government-we must
be pardoned for thinking that they are
not just the thing. Yes, we have too
many orators in Congress. That's one
trouble. A large proportion Of our mod
ern orators are as fit timber for Congress
men as mud is for Nicoison. The sooner
the people learn not to send man to
Congress just because he can make tell
ing, fi0wery stump speech, the better for
them and the country. We must learn,
too. not to send a man to Congress be-
cause he cxcels in the gaming hall or
ssprize ring" We must learn, too, not
to send men to Congress because their
fathers and grand fathers were smart men.
We must learn, too, not to send men to
Congress because Of their immense riches.
We must lea n, too. not to send men TO
Congress, who are known to possess hab-
Its Of intemperance. 1t Is lamentable
fact nat there are dozens of men In Con-
gress who are little less than drunkaIds.
Such men to do LegislatIng tor 4 great
nation! What an absurdity. There Is
not much wonder that business drags-
not much wonder. We must learn, too,
to send men to Congress who care more
for their honor and have more respect for
their families aud society. than to keep
a hired mistress, with whom to parade
abut the streets of Washington.
''All must admit that there are men in
Congress-from both parties-who, TWEEN
y
suited to ELL county office. When we
see such men pushed into a body of the
Importance of Congress, we can but think
there is need of radical reform. If
such men care for the interests of the
country, they havn't the ability to sub
serve them Every time State sends
q drunkard, libcrtine, a gambler or a
trickster-and many Of them have been
sent-it takes long stride toward max
ing a farce of our National Legislature.
mo sane, honest man willquestion bat
that it is high time that greater pains be
taken in selecting men for Congressional
honor. Men well informed, Of sound
Judgment, exemplary habits, Of undoubt-
ed intcgrity-men true to the Nation' 5,
their States and their neighbor's inter
ests-men who cannot be bought to do a
wrong act, driven into yillainy or coaxed
into corruption men who viii make it a
business to do National work aud learn TO
do it rightly. That the kind Of men
we want; no matter whether they be
lawyers, doctors, preachers, farmers,
manufacturers, bankers, merchants, clerks,
day latorers or printers.