St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-11-07
HON. .. Nj. HALL.
He Tells Why He Voted Against
Adjournment.

Special to the Globe.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 6.-"Why did you
vote SO persistently against adjourn
ment, Mr.. HaIi?'' inquired the GLOBE
correspondent of the representative of
the Third Minnesota district.
Because 1 was opposed to adjourn
ment, and desired that congress should
remain and attend to business. There
was no good reason why the special ses-
sion should not have been continued
mil the day for the opening of the reg
uIar session. The country is waiting
anXiOuSly to learn what congress is to
do on the tariff question. The full sway
Of improved times need not be looked
fer until the business men of the nation
are thoroughly Informed as to the de-
tails of our proposed reform OF tariff
laws. The people had a right to de-
mand that we remain here and attend
to the public business. If the ways and
means committee was not quite ready
to make its report, there was still an
abundance of business to be attended
to; and every hour put in here during
the cool. wholesome autumnal weather
would have saved two hours of torrid
and useless suffering next summer.
During the special session just
closed l have been out of my seat only
few times-never out of reach when
any important business was to be trans
acted. Maj. Baldwin, of the Sixth dis
trict, has been just as attentive as my
self, if not more so. notice that the
members who have been most prone to
absence during the session were ap-
parently the most eager for adjourn
ment. l have no disposition to criticise
any one, but it is amazing to me how
men can neglect the interests of their
constituents as some members of the
house have done. and reconcile their
dereictions with their cOnsciences.
Possibly 1 am old-fashlJned in
my ideas of public duty, but [
shout feel myself as derelct if |
should fail in my duties in congress as l
would if had knowingly neglected the
interests of client In an important
lawsuit.
''These remarks are not intended to
apply to the Minnesota delegation. most
of whom have been prompt and efficient
in attending to their duties, but is in
tended to call attention to a growing
evil in congress. Members go away
and desert the house during the most
important sessions. and thus give an
opportunity for small minority to OBJ
struct business. Some notable in
stances have occurred since l came to
Washington where members absented
themselves during nearly half Of the
session,and it has not been at all uncom-
mon for many Of them to be away for
days and weeks at time.
MY theory is that the people elect
representatives to come to congress
during every session, and TO remain
here during all the session. unless the
demand for them to go away is impera-
tive. The peoples business should al
ways take precedence of their private
affairs, or the concerns of the members
friends or clients. Can any one conceive
of anything of greater Importance just
now than the settlement OF all questions
pertaining to the business world of the
country. The repeal of the Sherman
law was only one step-altbough long
one. l hope-toward the restarotion OF
business confidence in every part of the
country. Besides the tariff there is the
bankruptcy bill and many other lesser
measures that should be debated and
settled at once.
"Do you now see the reason why l
voted against adjournment, my friend
l want congress to attend to business,
and then go out of business"