The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-03-25

Say His Policy Is y selfish One--Eiection
Of Senatorial Bold Woman Retains a
Seat.
WASHINGTON, March 24.-tSpecial. i
Speaker Reed is straining every nerve to
keep the total appropriations OF this SEES
sion Of congress below the five hundred
million mark. The chances are about
even that he will succeed. There Is great
deal OF restlessness among members who
want appropriations for their districts, es-
pecially for river and harbor purposes and
for public buildings. Many mem bers OF
| congress look To successes OF this sort for
their capital In seeking reelection, and 1t
must not be forgotten that all tho repre-
sentatives have 10 go before their constitu-
ents this year for denomination and re-
election. Better than any speech, better
than free distribution Of public doou-
| ments better than straight record rs a
| party man, for this purpose, Is an appro-
priation for the district. This is the spirit
| the speaker has had TO contend against,
| and SO far he has managed TO hold it pretty
| we'll in check. Some of the members of
his own party have contended that the
speakers policy is a rather selfish one de-
signed to help him as presidential candi-
| date regardless of their fate but they have
not yet succeeded In organizing revolt.
The odds are that the big speaker will
carry his point, and that the total appro-
| priations will be kept within the five hun
| dred million mark. Mr.. Reed does not
want the "billion dollar congress- cry
used against him at this particular juno
ture.
One Of the peculiar features of the stu
alton is that the speaker says the govern
ment must bo economical because of the
scarcity Of money in the treasury. "Uncle
Sam is hard up" says the speaker. I'm
the present state of the finances we are not
justified In spending a dollar that can be
kept in the treasury" The speaker has
made good use of this argument, but the
facts arc against him. The truth Is the
treasury Is rolling In wealth. 1t has q
tremendous surplus. Taking the official
statement Of the treasury, as It is made up
day by day, we find this great item,
"a valuable cash balance, including gold
reserve, s265, 613, $685." That is O lot Of
money. 1t is enough to run the govern
ment more than six months. OF course
nearly one-half of it, or sl2s, 600, 600, Is
gold reserve, and according to tradition
the gold reserve should not be touched, but
outside the reserve there is the snug item
of sl37 200, 900 available funds. Thanks
TO tho presidents policy of issuing bonds
for gold, the treasury Is In capital condi-
tion, and great many people think that
as long as we have so much money on
hand idle and useless, IL would be good
policy to make larger appropriations and
put more of IL in circulation among the
people. At any rate, this is what the con-
gressnon say who want river and harbor
appropriations and new public buildings
in their districts.
The Election OF Senator'S
There Is a little prospect that congress
will provide for tho adoption by the states
Of an amendment to tho constitution re-
curing United States senators to be elected
by direct vote OF the people. The senate
committee on privileges and elections has
ordered favorable report on such meas
ure, and an earnest effort is to be made to |
pass 1t through the senate. Senator |
Mitchell, who is in charge Of the joint res
oiution, says he has no doubt a majority
OF the senate Is In it's favor, but he fears
the necessary two thirds will be lacking. |
In this he hopes he Is mistaken, for a |
change OF sentiment on this question has |
taken place recently. The large number |
of contested senatorial elections In legisla-
lures, tho vexntious delay, the opportuni- |
ties for violence and fraud which such i
struggles open, have oil tended to bring /
about stronger feeling In favor of per-
the people to elect their senators
as they do their governors and congress
men, The house Of representatives once
passed joint resolution of this nature by
the necessary two-thirds vote, and 1t Is be-
lieved tho house at the present time would
act fayorably upon the pending resolution,
should 1t go through tho senate. II is we'll
known that one of the most difficult things
In our system Of government Is to change |
the constitution, for the constitutional re-
luirement Is that the proposed amendment |
must first be proposed by two-thirds of
zach branch of congress, and must then be
ratified by three. fourths of the legislature
Of the states. Men who have given the
subject close attention say the change IL
not only very desirable but that the STUN.
bling block Is In the senate itself. They
believe the legislatures of nearly all the
tates would ratify the amendment II con-
sress were to propose it,
A Prey to Politicians.
There is prevalent idea that the sena-
ors who are able to win and retain their
eats In congress by means of the use OF
money are the ones who oppose the change.
While 1t IL not fair to name any particular
enator or senators as belonging to this
ategory, inquiries which have made sat.
sly me that this is not true. The public
nen who depend to some extent upon their
'ank accounts for their election to the |
enate would prefer to have senators chosen
y direct vote. Their reason II n simple |
ne. In that event they would have only
control the state convention of their |
arty, which would place them In nomi |
'ation as their party candidate, and the
would be easy. Under the pres
MT system they have to control not only |
he state convention-for IL they are not
'osses they canDut in tho nature Of things
ope to be senators-but they must fix the
legislature as well. In other words, they
re now prey TO every political striker,
whether he be candidate for tho legislature
r member of a convention.
A Little Story.
A society woman story to end with: One
the most prominent society DANES of | =
Washington went to the grand opera re.
emily. She had simply an admission
icket, for which she had paid Sc, but, SEQ
ng vacant seat, she proceeded to occupy
}. When the man who had bought IL
anne along and presented his check, and {
he usher politely asked her TO vacate. she
luntly refused. The head usher was sum-
loned, and he asked the lady to move. =
will not, she said, land dare you to
ouch meP' policeman was appealed
,, and he discrectly declined to interfere.
he result was that the grand dame held 4