The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-11-21


nature. Many men, however, soon tire
Of Congressional life. The servitude OF
one or TWO Congresses is enough. The
excitement of politics is all very well,
but the drudgery attached 10 the every
day life of a Congressman Is more than
they can stand. Several Conk ressmen
have personally told me that no amount
of money could induce them 10 seek
denomination. They had had all the
experience they wanted IN three or four
years. On the other hand, there are
many men who would be like fish
out of water If they were not men,
bers OF Congress. Some have occupied
positions in the Senate aud House for
fifteen. twenty and twenty-five years.
1t has become second nature TO such
men to be in the halls of the National
Legislature, actively engaged in the dis
cussion OF political questions, and en-
thusi asticaly battling for whist they
consider the welfare of the nation. |
That kind Of individuals are numerous
in Congress. They love political life.
and the many years that some of them
have been engaged in it. prove that they
have not mistaken their profession. Ii
is very hard upon this class of men
when they are involuntarily retired by
their constituents. Some are totally
unable 10 outiive such q calamity. They
mourn terribly their defeat, and
canno5 refrain from hanging around
Washington, q city which, 10 them
has been the battle ground Of many q
hard political fight, and the scene OF
many pleasant associations of 8 social
kind. know several men who, after
having been in Congress for a number OF
years. gave every indication Of going TO
the dogs after they were retired, unless
they secured some remunerative gov
eminent position, especially If they
happened to be in comparatively poor
circumstances. During a session OF
Congress these ex-Congressmen can be
seen in Washington on every hand.
They live in some retired boarding
house, and infest the hotels, the lobD!es
Of the Capitol, and every prominent
public place in the city. They pretend
that they have influence with this, that
and the other Senator or Representa-
tive; that If employed they are
confident they can de-eat certain
proposed legislation, no mat er what
its name or nature. They will lobby
| for anything and everybody, so long as
there is money in the scheme. In the
matter of lobbying they, as ex Con-
gressmen, possess privileges that do not
| belong to other people. They have the
privilege OF going on the floor OF the
| House while Congress is in session,
which is q considerable advantage so
far as reaching men they desire TO see
is concerned. They can spot their men
and confab with them on the lounges
behind the seats OF the members. The
practice. however, of admitting eI-
mem ers to the floor Of the House may
some daY before long be abolished.
The privilege is said to be greatly
abused, and once or twice last session
there was considerable talk of expelling
certain eI members from the HoCr,
in consequence of their having been
accused Of lobbying on the floor
contrary TO the rules OF the House.
At one time the members were allowed
to take their secretaries on the floor, but
the abuse of this privilege became 50
scandalOus that IL had 70 be abolished.
Whenever members had . number OF
friends visiting them in Washington
they all wanted TO 80 on the noor While
the House was IN session, and the
SECRETARY" trick was played to accom-
plish the desired end. The result was
that a very large number of people were
admitted to the House IN this way; in
deed the crowd Of strangers behind the
railing, sometimes, was so great that II
was with difficulty that members could
move around. The privilege OF allowing
"secretaries'' on the floor had, therefore,
70 be abolished. so that now the space
behind the railing is always free for
members and q few ex-members to
move about. The change Is a decided
improvement, and adds considerably 10
the dignity OF the House, so lar as dig
nifty goes; for dignity IS not com
modify that is superabundant IN the
] ~ q rH.H val
unidentified scenes are enacted occa-
sionally. Attacks are made upon per
sonal character; ungentlemanly accu-
sations are made; red hot .intiammatory
speeches are INDUCED in, the result
being that the Speaker has all he can
do TO keep the body in his charge in
ANYTHING like order. He is continually
compelled TO keep rapping with hi:
gayei. above the sound Of which his
= stentorian voice is heard shouting
1.-The House will come TO order" bu
I have never seen any thing but
, the very slightest attention paic
to the request. OF course perfect ordel
in so large body OF men Is not to o'
, expected, bnt as rule, IN the House o
representatives, there is always grea
confusion, and yet the public Uusines
OF the nation Is transacted, never
theless. ...-
In regard 10 the time allowed to eacl
Congress for the transaction OF bust
mess, there is considerable difference Q
, opinion. Some think it IS amply suth
: Gent: Others think It is far too shor:
/, The first session OF each Congress gen
! erally extends over a period OF seven o
, elght months; the second session iron
: the hrst Monday IN December until n
: lth OF Narcn, or about twelve month
: IN all. 1t would also appear ths
? twelve months in constant session woul
= be a sufficient time 10 transact q
: the public business OF the nation, an
:, pass. al the laws that were rsal'
. necessary, without any question as
:, the time being extended Such, how
= ever. Is not the case. Senator lngall!
n OF Kansas, thinks, for one, that To
= time for each session of Congress shoul
!; De extended, and introduced q 81
embodving his views on the subject !
the early part Of last session. HIS bil
: however, will not be reached before ID
: Fortv-ninth Congress expires. In an
case il would, in all likelihood, hal
~ had TO encounter considerable oPposi
= ton. His proposition 10 meet
e October instead OF December, won