The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1893-12-29
H'KENZIE'S WASHINGTON LETTER.

Not SO CIassicalIy Educated, But They
Have a Better Kind If Knowledge.
Although there's general belief prev
alent that congressman as a rule are
wiser in the pursuit of office than in the
practical experience and book knowl-
edge which go to m Ike up the best legis-
lators. A careful review of the leading
members of the house and senate will by
no means reinforce this theory. There
have been, no doubt, times in the his
tory of the British parliament when
there were more members distinguished
in letters than there has been at any
time in the American congress-, but it
must be recollected that the membership
of the house of commons is nearly twice
as large as that of the house of repre-
sentatives, and besides the manner of
selecting candidates is somewhat differ
ent. The constituencies that they repre-
sent are often learned bodies, such as
universities, which would naturally
s6Sose men distinguished for learning
rather than those wise in the affairs of
practical life. 1t is conservative to say,
however, that, for knowledge of prac-
teal life and of the art of governing. or
statecraft in the best sense of that term,
no legislative body in the world sur
passes the senate and house of the United
States congress- There is kind of
worldly shrewdness, a hardness of fiber
intensely practical in its manifestations
which peculiarly marks the American
legislative body. There is less of the
"bOokish theoric" about them than any
foreign body of the same kind. All
questions are mainly discussed from the
practical side and ip the light of past
experiences. The visitor seldom hears
quotations in congress from authors with
theory, and if looks are quoted they
are practical, economical or statistical
reports or dry law books of precedent.
Nothing will show this clearer than the
manner in which tariff bills are con-
structed. The men who are in the
business of manufacture in the various
branches to be dealt with in the tariff
changes furnish the basis in sworn testi-
mony for all tariff schedules, although
the facts are sometimes ignored as thus
presented for the benefit of the con-
sumner and to carry out party pledges.
~
The question has furnished an i'm
mense amount of discussion in almost
every congress since the time of Alex
ander Hamilton, the founder of our
tariff system, and those who now take
part in this discussion, which will prob
ably drag its slow length along in this
session of congress will show great
familiarity with this literature in such
way as to disprove the theory that
American congressman are only poll
ticians a little more successful than
ward heelers.
~
The extraordinary session broughtito
light in clear way the learning of the
American congressman in all the litera-
ture of political economy connected with
the mo ley question and national fnan-
ces. 1t has also called attention to the
fact that the congressional library is
drawn on very extensively by about two
thirds of the members of congress. 1t
is said by Librarian Spofford that never
at any former session was there quite
such a great demand for lite ra
ture dealing with the silver ques
ton and with financial sub
jects. Senators and representatives
have studied the subject of raising rev.
enues by the different governments, and
of banking, state, national and foreign
| W., Lh~I Of oYo6 tho history
of income taxes have furnished the
Democrats mental food of very brac
ing and filling nature now for several
months. Yet they seem much in doubt
as to whether it is better to make up the
estimated annual deficit in our revenues
by an increased internal revenue tax OF
by system of taxes on the revenues o.
incomes and inheritances. This miscel
laneous study, however, and the speeches
that have been made upon the silver
question have certainly served to en-
phasize the fact that our congressman
can not be dubbed professional
politicians, but on the contrary
are wise and studious for the bes
interests of this country in the ligh
that the best literature of the past shed:
upon all economic questions. This
country has yet produced no epoch max
ing books on political economy, but thu
demand during the present session TO
such works as those of Professor Thomp
son of Pennsylvania university, HI. c.
Carey, Professor Perry, Francis A
Walker and Henry George go to show
that they have left their impress upol
subsequent legislation. Of course, sucl
works as John Stuart Mill, the text bool
of modern political economy, and Adam
Smith, the father of the science, if j
may be called such, are always in de
mand. Then there are Sisimondi
Matthews, Bastiat and the modern GEL
man historical school-all of whic
receive more or less attention o.
the silver question there are
CARLOAD of standard works, such a
Robert Griffen's "Case Against Bimetal
lism," Cernuschi's Illegal Tender,
Jacobs History of Precious Metals,
Professor McLaughlin's "Bimetallism
and Seyd on Omitted States Currency,
which have been perused extensively b
the men who discussed the silver que.