The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-24

Mississippi, is beginning his prepafa-
lions early. He will not begin his term
until 1899. He was not satisfied with
the highly colored stories of the Cuban
insurgents or the partisan reports of
Weyler, so he went to Havana and in
vestigated the situation for himself.
We will have Cuban news at first hand
from another source in the next con-
gress. Representative-elect Robbins, Of
Pennsylvania, has been there, and he
has brought back very positive views
about the recognition Of the republic.
And from the West comes the report
that presentative-elect Pearce, of st.
Louis, has chartered a tug and gone
on an exploring trip down the Missis-
sippi, with a view to learning something
at first hand about river improvement.
No doubt the constituents of these gen.
tlemen will applaud them warmly for
their efforts to equip themselves for the
important positions they are to hold.
LEARNING THE ROPES.
mands no diploma. A man who knows
nothing about the history of his coun-
try can come here and help to make
her laws if a bungling constituency
sends him. He passes no examination
and takes no degree to qualify as a
lawmaker. So it happens that we have
a good many ignoramuses in almost
every congress. Some of them never
get over a mild surprise at finding
themselves in public life, and some are
blinded to their own weaknesses by
pride and never know what a sorry
show they make. On the whole, the
latter class is to be envied. An egotist's
appreciation of himself IS so gratifying
to him. far 1@-.
A great many new members OF con-
gress come here after their election
to learn the ropes One of the newly
elected Massachusetts members is go
ing to housekeeping in a week or so,
and we have had several others at the
hotels for short visits. One of them,
whom I met recently In the pleasing
companionship Of Col. Jay F. Durham.
was Judge Page Morris, Of Duluth, the
city irredeemably associated with the
name Of Proctor Knott. Judge Morris
is thoroughly at home in this section
because he was born IN Virginia, and he
is a graduate Of the Virginia Military
institute. He taught mathematics in
Texas colleges, studying law in his
spare moments, and in 1880 he returned
to Virginia, where he was a candidate
for congress four years later against
John w. Daniel. Mr.. Daniel is now
senator from Virginia, and Mr.. Morris
a member of the next congress from
Minnesota.
NO LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE.
Mr.. Morris has had no experience in
legislative work at all. The last con-
gressional campaign was singular in
bringing to the front men who had
served no apprenticeship even in state
legislatures. Marion De Vries, Of Cali
fornia, has never held a public office
except that of assistant district attor-
ney. c. B. Lands, of Indiana, has
held no public office. He is a news
paper editor. Capt. John Lamb, of
Richmond, has been sheriff of his coun-
ty; but, though of wide experience in
politics, he has never assisted directly
in the making of laws. jeremiah D.
Botkin, of Kansas, is a preacher, and
he has never held public office J. NJ
Robinson, of Indiana, has been prose
cutting attorney, but he has held no
other office sSaG k-2.ssH ,2BN.SC
The only positions w. III Zenor and
r. w. Miers. of Indiana, have held
were on the Bench William Council.