Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-05-04
OUR SPRINGFIELD LETTER
The Legislator at Home and at the
Capital.
The Marked Difference With which
he liz Regarded-The Worlds
Fair crawford Makes
Frank Confession.


wonder in looking over the majority of
the members OF legislative body why
there was SO much difficulty in selecting
proper man to represent the constituents
OF any locality. By the strife and con-
tention and bitterness displayed in an cleo
ton 1t would seem to appear that the can,
didates of the different parties were the
salt of the earth and that unless chosen
The material interests of the district would
yither away and die. And the success.
full individual. however meek and modest,
Is naturally on good terms with himself
aud his soul is surprisingly exalted. He
Is about to be sent away as the represent
tative OF his district to stand in legislative
halls, there to shoe forth in his native
brilliancy, while the absent ones at home
are watching his every move, feeling that
be holds in his hands their destinies and
that if he would. he could oyerturn the
state or nation by his personal fat and
vither his opponents by his Jove like
scowl Admiriug friends write him let.
tiers upon all manner of subjects request
ing that this or the other thing shall be
done and that he must not listen to what
his rivals have to say, but step forthwith
in to the imminent breech and carry ali
before him by strength of will. legislative
acumen or convincing eloquence. 1T is
for that we elected him, his admirers will
say, land cid he himself not promise the
earth as he warmly shook our hands be.
fore election and urged US to stand up for
principles and vanquish the enemy?' Re-
inforced by q newborn strength brought
into existence by a ceItifc tie of election
the aspiring statesman finds his way TO
the capital. Others are rushing for the
same locality of wisdom and as he
meanders from the train, grip in hand,
and writes his name with flourish, or as
best he can. upon the register of his
chosen hotel. he has memories of recent
ovations, brass bands and torchhght pro-
cessions and that himself was the central
figure. If in Springfield. for instance,
and he has been here before he is not dis
appointed; but if it is his frs. mission IS
the representative of the great and grow
ing interests Of his section of the country
he feels that chill of disappointment rush,
ing msdly along his spinal column that so
many have experienced before him. No
demonstration in his behalf, no gathering
of friends all eager TO grasp his trds.y
hand, no solemn silence as ne sees Fl to
drop words of wisdom from his teemiag
brain, no hurrahs nor shouts OF eXnIta-
ton for the honorable gentleman before
them, but instead he is treated with in
difference. People iostle against him
just as if he were a common man. He
hears men talking horse and not asking
him the tactics by which he won News
boys shout about the recent accident aud
not mention made of his election.
He is introduced perhaps to an
old and experienced member and
the new acquaintance casually asks
him what district he represents.
Great God, Has it came 10 this? A
while ago, he muses., my name was on the
tongue OF everybody. My presence ere
ated ftutter of excitement and here am
lndiferently told by this gentleman that
he didn't catch my name and he also tells
me IN a cold blooded mauper that he
thinks II looks like rain. He doesn teven
ask me 10 take drink. Neither does
be care TO argue with me what is the best
legislation for the people along the Fry
lngpsn river nor whether there should be
damn built across Trout stream or not"
In all legislative ssembies there are al
ways few members who lead They
are generally experienced in all the ways
that sre dark and tricks that are vain"
and a. rule, they make the others do
their bidding. Now and then new
member appears who by strength of in
tellect or force of language, claims large
share Of it, but he is an exception. The
major ty of members even in the commit
tee rooms have little or nothing TO say.
They vote rs their leaders propose On
hn Of
representatives have nothing-absolutel
nothing-to say. You could not get
them on their feet with the aid of a der
rick. The steering committees look after
their votes and they vote according as
they are prompted. Those who are as
silent IS an oyster in the hours of session
are the loudest takers on the outside.
The intelligent member who knows what
he is about, says little when away from
the capitol except when il is necessary.
The fellow who is the oyster, while in
session, is heard at his boarding house
or hote or on street corners or wherever
you may find him, talking away at
great rate. He buttonholes everybody
who wi let him and then Dours forth his
labber. He asks everybody around him
what he thinks of his measure He laws
down tie law in precious manner as to
what the Legislature should no, but in SEES
sion lie never knows what to do himself.
he has stack of phrases picked up by
ear and these he is constantly shooting
forth without rhyme or reason and to the
disgust of everybody. When he reaches
home at the end of the session he NAV
regale his bucolic lIstners with all this
parrot chatter and they may look upon
him will open mouth, his acquired wis.
dom add lofty mind. little dreaming what
a stupid donkey they have before them.
And ofsuch is the kingdom of legislation.
The foregoing remarks apply TO all the
legislatures of the country, and Illinois.
OF course, is not an exception. And those
who represent the farming element in this
state are IS intelligent as farmers any
where, but little observation will con-