The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-01-20
LOOKING AFTER PETTY CLAIMS
The Work Many Consressmen Have To DO
For Their Go stituenta

The Work Many Congressman Have to DO
For Their Co stituents
There are plenty of men of ability in the
house who are almost unknown. says the
their constituents 10 represent them in con-
gress on account of their especial abilit, ;
they are men Of high rank an students and
thinkers, and yet their congressional en-
reeis have been marked by disappointment
and failure. The reason for this is not that
they have plunged in over their depth,
nor that they have been oyershadowed
by others around them. II is that
they have been dragged down by the eternal
grind OF routine. A Thousand little things
which in their freer life they found unwor-
thy of their attention are pressed upon
them, and their time is SO taken up that
they have no opportunity TO gratify their
loftier aims and ambitions. They have no
opportunity 10 make study of legislation
and 10 devote 10 the consideration Of the
national affairs they are presumably sent
here 90 take part IN. Th,ir constituents
send them 10 congress because of their su-
tatiyes of the people; then, having sent
them. proceed TO belitile them and curiail
their opportunity for doing good by de-
munding of them that they give their time TO
matters that might be attended 10 by boys,
There are plenty of men III the house who
might have influence and power among
their colleagues aud be able 10 serve their
constituents in n broader and more import
ant field IL their whole time we're not taken
up with doing the work Of private agents or
even erraud boys. The Importance of the
house M Legislative body IN constantly ret
r, grading because Of this abuse, How to
overcome the evil has puzzled tho members
each year AS they have settled back into the
dcnnition grind. Snme have been IN y 20
sItiOn tO make a bold declaration of inde-
pendence and some, because they afo rich,
have been able 10 hire Others To do all this
petty routine Tor them. but the prcat ma
loT.ty have had 10 continue To dslye and
grind away hope, ossly and without reward.
II was with II view 10 correct this evil that
Mr.. Perkins, of Kansas, introduced his bill
the other day providing for bureau of
corr spOndence and Information NJ the cap
itol, tue idea being to have corps of EN-
ployes whose duty IL would be To get the in
formation members are constantly called
on for but which has nothing 10 do with
their Legislative duties.
A statement of whnt congressman are
called on 20 do outside of the halls Of con-
gress would scarcely be believed by one not
familiar with the fncts-lt would seem 40
absurd. The matters tbey are required by
their constituents 10 look after are CHIEFLY u
lot Of petty claims Of all sorts before the de-
pirtments. There are the pension claims
always, then the bounty and back pay
claims, land claims of various sorts, horse
..I. "A. Etfs.t Al
ing the war, establishment and change OF
post routes in tue districts, not 10 mention
the claims for federal appointments and the
thousand and one other even more plttlc-
ularly private business they are called ON Ia
attend 10 at tho various departments. The
mails each day bring on an average Of forty
or fifty requests To look after matters at
some Of the departments, many of which
involve the consumption of great deal OF
time IN looking over documents and records.
Some Of the members from the east are
comparatively free from this sort of thing,
but most Of them and all Of those from the
western and newer states ARE ovcrrun.
One member was telling the other day
that II cost him one-third Of his salary u
employ young men TO 20 about the depart
ments for him ON this clnss of business
and besides, that his own time was ~
taken up by il that be had no opportunity
TO make study Of the legislative matters
before the house. More than that, his wife
turned IN and helped him, and much Of hei
time WIS taken up in attending 10 CORE
spOndence that no member ought 10 be
bothered with at all. Nearly all hours OF
the day, be said, that he was not ON the
floor Of the house he spent in running
abou, the departments looking mp privat,
cases that some young claim agent ought "a
have ia charge. and his evenings were spent
la writing and debating letters 10 report h
his impatient constituents the result OF
his days work.