, 1885-04-08
MINISTER PHELPS TWELVE

MAXIMS-
A dispatch from Middlebury. VT. gives
the following: when the Hon. John
W. Stewart of Midilebury first took his
seat in the lower house of congress as the
representative of the frst Vermont dis
trici in December, 1883, he received a
letter Of s~atirical good ADVICE from a dis
tinguished Vermont Democrat, who had
long been a personal and professional
friend. The letter was passed around at
the time among Mr.. Stewards friends in
both houses of congress. The letter is Of
public interest now, from the fact that
the distinguished Vermont Democrat who
wrote 1t is the Hon. Edward J.. Phelps, Of
Burlington. who has Just been appointed
minister to England. The letter contains
the following maxims;
l.. Always vote in favor Of a motion to
adjourn; and if the period Of adjournment
Is in question, vote for the longest time
and the earliest day.
!. Vote steadily against all-other propo-
sitions whatsoever.
(a) There is already Legislation enough
for the next Eve hundred year. (b) No
honest man wants any more. lei Even
unconstitutional bills for the further en-
largement of the negro should form no
exception to this rule.
;. Make no speeches. Nobody at
tends to congressional oratory when de
livered. When printed nobody reads it,
and il is q nuisance to the mails. | have
had more than 1000, 900 such speeches
sent me. and never read one in my life
4. Do not allow yourself to be drawn
into aspersions upon the memory Of Guy
Fawkes. He has been much censured by
shallow men. History will in the end do
him justice. Before you have been long
in congress you will perceive that one
snch man nowadays, with better luck,
might do the country more service than a
hundred presidential candidates or Chris
tan statesmen.
3. Do not be seen much in public in
the company OF republicans. Outside Of
New England they are not, as u rule. sa-
worry. Some associations WILDE tolerated.
though known to exist. when d~ecenily
yelled. But thereIs no excuse for parad-
ing them in public
q. practices rigid cconoms. The ex
perienee OF the average congressman
shows that il ia possible by jndiciOus fn-
gality to save about 100000 each session
out ofhis salary. Thus the true patriot
in standing by his country makes the
country stand by him.
:. Cultivate assiduously all newspaper
correspondents. All there is of public
life is what the papers say, and they will
say anything hat is made worth their
while.
3. Do not become a candidate for the
presidency. The idea that the country is
anxious to elect you to hal office is chi
merieal Nor has the country anything
to do with IL except to vote as it is told.
O.. In case of doubt take the trick.
10. Keep your %nostriis open, your
mouth shut, your head cool and your
feet warm. Avoid congressional whisky,
Bob lngersoll. the game of poker and the
courts of the District of Columbia.
II. Beware of statesmen with great
moral ideas. You will find immoral ideas
more honest, as well as more interesting.
10. Whatever happens, do not re
linquish hope. As Cicero observes, nil
desperandnm, do not despair. You have
once been respected member of the Ad-
olson county bar. Resolve TO regain that
position. Live for the future and live
down the present.