The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1893-02-24
CONGRESS AS IT IS.
A Body Thoroughly Corrupt and Shame.
less, Daily Bought and Sold.

Body Thoroughly Corrupt and shame
less, Daily Bought and Sold.
Doubtless the most apparent para
dux in American economics lies in the
unconcealed fear that the people have
of their own chosen representatives
in congress. To such an extent has
this feeling of probable danger or
possible disaster obtained that the
assembling of congress acts like a
storm signal upon all business or a
! red light to all Industrial efforts.
The people have learned by sad ex-
perience that the idea of beneficial
legislation for the general public is a
stranger at the capital of the nation,
and that private jobs and corporate
! deals take precedence over all other
measures. To enact laws for the re-
lief OF the people is hardly consid-
| cred, either in or out of congress,
since 1t requires the united
| efforts of all the candid
and honest to keep down
and head off unfair and vicious meas
ures. At the present time it is not a
contest to bring about the greatest
amount of good, wholesome legisla-
ton, but struggle to prevent the
enactment of corrupt and vicious
law, says the National Watchman.
Many earnest reformers are disap-
pointed in the results of the labors
of the little band of reformers in con-
gress. If such persons understood
the true situation they could not be
otherwise than perfectly satisfied.
While this small Spartan band have
not been able to secure much reform
legislation, it has been the instru-
ment of preventing vast amount of
that which was unfair and corrupt.
In appropriations and private bills
alone the Peoples party in congress
has saved the people more than $780,
100000 Nothing discloses the decay
and retrogressicn of congress more
than the position the few men
occupy and the services they
have rendered the people. The rules
governing that body have been so
| manipulated that few men at the
head of important committees vir-
tually dictate what shall or shall
not be enacted. The greater portion
of the work is done in committee,
and the balance of the members
usually stand by the committees re-
port, and vote without knowing any
thing regarding it's merits. The
boodler and lobbyist puts his work in
of sufficient magnitude to warrant it.
the formation of certain committees
enter into the contest for speaker,
or even extends to the election of
members themselves. Half Or two
thirds of the members of the senate
and house are the paid agents of some
corporation, scheme or steal. Any
measure, no matter what it's char
acter may be, can be passed provid-
ing there is sufficient amount of
money connected with it. There is
no job so corrupt, no steal so bare
faced, no scheme SO gauzy, that can
not be put through congress if there
is plenty of Doodle in it. Some
few years ago, it is said, man pre-
sented an honest claim for $4,000
He could get no satisfaction. He
finally withdrew the claim, and
brought in another for $4,000,
which was allowed without much
trouble. He put $4,000 where cit
did the most good, and received the
balance himself. Transactions of this
character are the rule and not the
exception. Ex-senatOrs and ex-cOn-
gressmen throng the halls of congress
| h h r1vy,,
and prestige to lobby through meas
ures of questionable and dangerous
character Because of these we'll
known methods and the dread of re-
suits people heave a sigh of relief
when congress adjourns. and thank
God it has done no worse. Every
thing is subordinated to the sim
gle effort of gaining politi-
cal advantage. Principles are
left for discussion among their con-
stituents and do not interfere with
congressional duties. Let a member
begin speech on some principle of
economics and he will empty either
chamber in ten minutes, but let a
miserable squabble over some party
manipulation come up, and, as if by
magic, every seat is filled and each
member is attentive and vigilant
Unless something of party nature is
being considered, there is seldom a
quorum present, and it is fact that
the speakers gavel passes more bills
than a quorum of the members elect.
This is the power for good or evil
that this great industrial reform
seeks to bring back to it's original
endeavor and once more make it the
refuge of the peoples rights. and the
citadel of their liberties. The un-
dertaking is stupendous, but fail
ure means the loss of all.
They Made no Mistake.
Dispatches from Washington state
that blanks and business men
throughout the country" have been
urging Mr.. Foster, secretary of the
treasury, to stop the further purchase
of silver bullion.
Recently Mr.. Foster kindly HE'D
him. to New York, and in an interview
with New York bankers intimated
that they made mistake in send
ing their petitions to him instead of
to congress.
Bankers and business men" are
not apt to make a mistake of that