The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-16
THE PRINTING ABUSE.

An Incident Showing the Shameless Uses ito
Which 1t Is Put.
Special TO the indianapolis journal.
WASHINGTON, Jan. l5,-There is little doubt
that the proposition Mr. Vest. of Missouri, is
urging in the Senate, and Mr.. Warner, of Ohio,
and other members in the House-to prohibit the
printing of speeches in the Congressional Record
which have not been delivered-will pass If not
at this session as some other one Glaring
abuses of the privileges granted in the columns
of the Record come to light almost daily.
Southern senator related one to-day, that is not
without interest, as it portrays practice so uni
versaI that it is not alone confined to the House
of Representatives
during the discussion of the silver question
in the Forty eighth Congress" said the senator,
"a member from one of the Western States was
very anxious to make his views known in opposi-
ton to the bill, but did not feel sufficiently In
formed on the subject to undertake the difficult
task that lay before him. His close personal
friends at home were writing him that unless he
made speech against the silver bill he would be
defeated Recommendation. This news caused him
manysleepiess Nights, and restless days. His mind
was entirely absorbed by the matter. BE was
afraid to venture on speech making, as he had
never said anything on the floor except to an
swer the roll-call After studying the matter
over calmly he determined to find some one who
could help him out of his distressing dilemma.
He went to friend who had made the silver
his case the friend said:
oh yes, can help you. You want some
thing strong and pointed, do youa"
81 do" replied the distressed member; 81
want speech that will re-elect me- My people
you see. are very fond of the greenback idea.
1.-THE speech was promptly written. The
more the member read it the more he liked it,
and he imagined himself great statesman in
securing so great document, even from the
pen of friend. He received instructions as to
how he would believer his speech without inter
rnption, and without being answered. that day.
Everything worked in his favor Speaker Ran
dali recognized him late one afternoon. Most
members were anxious for adjournment, and
left when the speech was begun. He arose
and spoke from manuscript. AS he closed a
friend moved to adjourn There was no
objection The speech appeared in the Record
in splendid form. Old members congratulated
him upon his success in handling the intricate
points of the silver question. He had completely
annihilated the friends Of the bill He felt
greatly relieved that he had got a big job off his
hands, and ordered 1000 of the speeches
printed and circulated in his district The press
that had opposed him now conplimented him.
He was lionized. He was happy.
"But change came over the spirit of the dream
ofthis member few days later he was answered
bya MEMBER then another; then several in one
day. They criticised, they abused him. He left
Slis seat and reiterated to the cloak-room, refus
ing to answer the questions propounded TO him.
Friends iocked about him, all inquiring in one
breath
".Are you not going to replyP
Is No. he said; words are cheap they can't
answer me. am upon record; my people know
my position; that is enough. shall speak not a
word more
"That member s-as reelected by the largest
majority he ever had He is in Congress yet,
aud is a candidate for the Senate"
If the people of the country knew how many
members are of this character they would shud
der.