Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-03-28
Mr.. CAsWErLIN CONGRESS.


of the Fort Atkinson Union, bearing up
on Hon. L. B. Caswsll's service in Con-
gress. The tribute is just and manly
one and the sentiments expressed will be
warmly approved wherever Mr.. Caswell
is known. The following is the letter:
EDITOR UNIoN:-Hen. L. B. Caswell
has just completed his fourth term in
Congress and been welcomed home by a
large and ever increasing circle of friends.
1t is therefore, an appropriate occasion to
view his congressional work and ascertain
whether it has been fruitful or emily bar
rem of results for the public good The
past eight years have been stirring and
eventful ones Abuses growing out of
the war had pushed to the front, in many
cases, the worst elements of both parties.
oelf-seekers, regardless of the public
veal, in a great measure controlled the
government. As consequence party
contentious had become bitter, almost re-
lentless, especially in Congress, where
they BODIED no good to the country. Cool
Judgment and a steady hand were requir-
ed to control these baleful influences.
These Mr.. Caswell possessed in an emf
nent degree. Averse to stirring up party
strife, he constantly struggled to assuage
its bitterness, and to restrain the fiery
zealots on both sides of the House. His
efforts in this direction have accomplished
much that will rebound to his own credit
and to the lasting benefit of the country.
The very important matter of appro-
priations for the postal service tor the
years beginning July l, 1882 and July
l, 1883, was entrusted to Mr.. Caswell in
1882 Prior to that there had been a
regular annual increase of about three
million dollars in these appropriations,
occasioned partly, it is true, by an annu-
al increase of the service. But while
there was an equal increase of the service
in 1882 over 1881, aud an estimated pro-
portional increase in 1888 over 1882, un-
, der MIR. CaswelPs management the APP
preparation for 1888, was only one mill
ion dollars more than for 1882 and for
1884 is about one hundred fity-four
| thousand dollars less than for 1883. That
| is while the expense OF this branch OF
| tie public service were increasing at the
rate of three million dollars per year, be-
fore Mr.. Caswell took charge of the APP
appropriations, they have been increasing
since She took charge, although there
| has been constant increase of service.
| This has been accomplished only by cut
ting off abuses wherever they could be
reached, and plaCin, the service upon a
thorough:business basis. These bills appro-
pirate over forty four millions each year for
the current anu the next year, and the task
was very laborious.
| While thus materially decreasing ap-
preparations, the reforms he brought
about enabled him to reduce the rate of
postage. He therefore introduced, and
by his ceaseless vigilance and activity
secured the passage OF law reducing
letter postage from three to two cents to
take effect October 1st 1888. Thus at
one and the same time he affords the peO-
pie of the whole country the benefit OF
an increased postal service, at decreased
expense, and with a decreased rate OF
postage,
AS member of the subcommittee
having the matter in charge, Mr., Cas-
we'll assisted in preparing and passing the
Indian appropriation, a work involving
the whole Indian policy of the govern
ment, including the maintenance of its
treaty obligations, embraced In about so
treaties with different tribes. He also
secured the passage through the House
permanently settling the constantly re-
curing troubles between the different
bands on the Great Sioux Reservation in
Dakota, and making it possible to extend
the great railway system OF the country
through that reservation to the Pacific.
Mr.. Caswell also introduced and cham
pioned the bill exempting purchasers in
open market for their own use, of patent
ed articles, from prosecution by the pat
entee for Infringement and compelling
the latter to seek his redress from the
manufactures, who made or the party
whO sold The incalculable benefit of
such an act will be seen at a glance.
Under existing laws some trifing device
| is patented and afterwards used by the
great manufacturers Ia making, for ID
stance, their wagons and agricultural i'm
plements, and the latter are sold in open
market for actual use to purchasers who
know nothing about the patent. Soon
the patentee pOunces upon the purchaser
compelling him to pay large bonus, or
submit to the expense and worry of suit
in the United States Court for infringe
ment. Mr.. CaswelPs bill relieved the
purchaser in such case from all liability
and compelled the patentee to look to the
manufacturers or vendor who would be
able to contend with him in the courts.
Though encountering the united oppo-
sition Of the great army of patentees
throughout the country, Mr. Caswell Sc
cured the passage of the act through both
houses, with but slight amendment in
the Senate, which necessitated further
action in the House, to which it was not
returned IN time to permit final action at
the last session.
We might mention other measures of
public Importance advanced by Mr.. Cas-
well, but the above are sufficient to illus
trate the character of his work. They
indicate continuous and successful efforts
at practical legislation for the great mass
Of the people, and entire freedom from
that pest OF Congress, local jobbery.
Yours truly,
GEO. w. BIRD.