Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1897-06-03

the state Board or EQUALIZATION WOuiu
not have been under the necessity of
raising the valuation of property to
raise enough revenue to meet the ex-
pense of the State government. Ihave
shown that had that measure have
become law it would only have re-
lieveo the State to the extent of S67,-
600, thus leaving an indebtedness of
1888 ,010. The House has been CEN
sured because the members did not
see fit to violate their constitutional
obligations and vote the endowment
for the relief of the State. That would
not have relieved it. When they had
passed measures admittedly good, land
about which there was no constitu-
tional question, that would not only
have relieved the state, but would
have furnished large surplus and
have put the states finances in a
healthy condition. only plead that
justice be done those members who
stood so earnestly in defense of the
State and of the people. If there is
blams for the deficiency not being
provided for only want the blame to
rest where it justly belongs.
1 do not feel disposed to enter into a
criticism of the actions of the Senate,
just now, at least, but do beg leave
to differ with those who hold that the
Senate should be a criterion by which
members of the House should be gov
erned. There were, to say the least
of it, some strange influences at work
in that body and apparently not with
out effect.
1t seems to me that the laboring
classes, the producers of wealth, the
great mass of the people, should see
that the Senators they elect are more
in touch with themselves and their in
terests. They win never get any re-
lief from that body until they do this.
They are too much of that class called
machine politicians politicians made
to order, politicians by profession,
and for what politics brings, and that
it matters not to which party they be-
long. 1t seems to me that the farmers
especially-the laborers upon whose
shoulders the whole burden of the
government rests-should take the
matter of electing Senators into their
own hands and should see to 1t that
none but those whose interests are
identified with the people are elected
to ill that important position. Until
| this is done I see but little hope for
remedy in the future. We want good
men, broad men, men who are states
men and not misers, men who love
honor more than gold, men who will
listen more to the cries of the suffer-
ing toiler than to the sweet notes of
corporate greed, men of principle and
not of selfishness, men of and men for
the people, and not alone for self
aggrandizenent.
1 would not say that there were no
dishonest men in the House, men who
would not be bribed. There may have
been, and for aught know some were
bought. But ! do not that the
greater portion of them, being in di-
rect touch with the people, felt more
their responsibility to the people than
they otherwise would.
must be allowed to say that the
Senator from this district, Hon. E. w.
Major, proved himself every inch
man and as far as his pledges to the
people are concerned he filled them
as far as his vote and influence could.
The people of this district may feel
that while he represents them they
have brave, conscientious and faith
full servant.
do not feel disposed to follow these
papers further just now, but 1 will say
this to the people of my county: That
thank them very much for the con-
ficence they reposed in me. 1 was
elected honestly and without single
pledge, only in all matters to do the
very best l could. To the best of my
ability discharged that duty. That
| m ade mistakes is more than likely. !
| represented what believed to be the
interests of the whole people and if 1
did well all ask is your good will; if
wrong, only that you throw the man
tls of charity over the mistakes. This
is all / ask and all I feel you owe me,
and this believe will receive.
JAMES BRADLEY.
| A curious story comes from Lancas-
ter county, Pa, of a man who was
legally free three months before he