The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-09-08
TRIALS OF coSaEEssMEN.

1t il quite q common notion that the
position Of . congressman Is In every way
enviablc. 1t is by many supposed that
their duties are simple, and might be easily
disposed Of in hals or quarter of the time
usually devoted TO q session. But on fair
and careful consideration it will be found
that this 10 all Q mistake. II q man be hon.
est, conscientious and fairly endowed with
capacity, the only wonder, after fair con-
alteration of the facts, must be that any
such man, If he has anything else to do,
out Of which he can make decent living,
will accept or continue to hold the Office.
In respect TO any leading measure that
has been presented during the pending
session of congress. or ct least in respect to
one or another detail Of each, there is
scarcely . member who Is not liable to
condemnation by more or less of his
immediate constituents whichever way he.
may vote. This il especially true concern
ing Republican members, for within their
party their ID more independence of
opinion and less subsection to bossism and
leadership.
state Of the Union, and In every congress
sional district, there have been decided
differences Of opinion among Republicans
in regard to the necessity. the wisdom, or
the policy of passing the federal elections
bill Doubtless a. . general rule in most
parts Of the country the Republicans by
large majority have been in favor of it.
But In many sections the number opposed
TO It has been large, and has included
many men of influence. And amsng these
latter there have been many shades of diff
ference; some questioning the necessity,
others the wisdom, and others treating it
simply as question Of present party
policy.
The same rule applies to the details of
the tariff bill. All are for protection to
American industries and labor, but as all
the leading manufacturing and industrial
pursuits are mainly conducted by Repub-
licans. and as these involve diversity OF
needs bring to light some differences
among them. The same article may be
the finished product of one industry and
the raw material of another. In such case
the protection to one may be. or may at
FIRST glance appear to be, tax upon or
of an article on the free list, or the re-
moval from that to the dutiable list helps
one and hurts another. To weigh, and
balance and properly discriminate in such
cases is a nice and difficult task, and in re-
gard TO 1t the chances are that no member
can please all of his party friends, much
less oil Of his constituents.
The silver bill placed members in SINH
lar dilemma. Among Republicans of this
section there was general and an earnest
desire for the free and unlimited coinage
Of the white metal. But in the East there
were more or less of both parties uncom-
promisingly hostile to it. The Democrats,
true TO their obstructive tactics, would
have taken advantage Of this fact to pre-
vent any legislation. BIT the Republicans,
or majority Of them. were determined to
approximate, II they could not exactly
reach free coinage. The result was an admir-
able law which has already accomplished
producing classes than any other act passed
within twenty years. In reaching this re-
suit, however. some members laid them
selves open to Misrepresentation in being
compelled to vote against pretended free
coinage resolution introduced by Demo-
Gratis for buncombe.
And so it has been with reference 10
every important measure. In each one
there we're more or less details about
which there were honest differences within
the party. To get them through at all it
was in most cases necessary to yield some
what. and in every such case members laid
themselves open TO animadversiou. So
that IL is easily seen that seat in congress
is not cushioned with down or upholstered
with roses. Our representatives have their
trials, as well as humber people.