Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1897-01-27
AT axpayer's Views.
Montpelier ida, Jan. %, 1897.

EDITOR EXAMINES Three weeks of
legislative days have passed, and to all
appearance we are as far from having a
senator elected as we were the first day
the two houses were organized, and ex-
Perience of the past has taught us, that
it is the case, not only with our own
states but all others, that little or moth
ing OF any thing else is accomplished
until the matter of electing the senator
is out OF the way. think we are JUS
titled in taking tn is view of it, sine on
the fourth day think, the ballot re-
quired but three more votes to elect Mr..
Clagget, and the Bear Lake representa-
tives had not voted, and now SO far
away from electing one.
The cost to the state. up to date for
this body of law makers, )" will approx
mate TO $1,000, 90; and for the informa-
tion of those not familiar with the costs
| will endeavor to enumerate a few of
the expenses that go to make up this
amount. Saleries for seventy members,
$500 per day, speaker and presi ent
pro tenn, So 90 each per day, seargent at
arms, two each per day, $500, one door
keeper for each house at $500 per day,
one chaplain for each assembly at 81. 90
per day, two clerks for each at 1900 and
$500 per day respectively and corps
OF engrossing and committe clerks at
corresponding figures.
The average amount of travelling ex-
penses paid the members will be about
El25.OO each, postage $500 each, copies
of statutes and session laws which will
not amount to less than 1900 for each
member, and the printing for the entire
session will not be less than 100000.
II is an easy matter for person to cit
down at home Thousand miles away
from the seat of war and conjecture to
himself what ought to be done, in fact
one can carry it on until they are led to
complain over some thing they have
little conception of; therefore it shall
not be my purpose to even criticise the
conduct of our representative" but
assume that they are doing the best
they know how.
Looking at the situation in a general
way however, the question arises: Is
the matter of electing a United States
senator of more moment to us in this
raw" western country than every
thing else, for which our legislatures
are convened? If it is, then we'll might
the Taxpayers" be anxious for the
time to come when they shall be elected
by the popular vote, and put an end to
this seemingly extravagant and selfish
system. The writer is not sufficiently
well acquainted with the conditio ms
surrounding the case perhaps to even
venture an opinion, but he does hope
the Democrats will not put the party in
the position on the question. OF acting
in bad faith, with the populists or
silver republicans, but rather sacrifice
position than principle always.
can hardly reconcile the position
taken by Bear Lakes representatives.
with that of other prominent democrats
in the state, as to the understanding OF
agreement had at our state convention
in September with the populists, but
since we are to understand they were
all three members of that convention,
in which case must have been parties to
whatever agreement was had, should
not at least, question their conduct
with reference to it. But there does an
opinion prevail with some people in the
state, that the populists were to name
the candidate for senator and the demo-
Gratis were in duty bound to vote for
that individual; and that being the
duty Of the democrats, every one of
them to vote for Mr.. Clagget since the
majority Of his party supported him,
and that matter would be behind them.
making it possible for them to get
down to work at something else that the
country is SO manifestly in need of but
If we are to, understand that the agree
ment only extended SO far as to require
the democrats to vote for such a pop.
ulist as suited, then we might as well
give up the goose, because that ia the
next thing to an possibility; because
there is no man that can please, or
meet the favor of mole than a majority
of his own party. 1t seems to me there
is but one qualification required at the
present, and that is an unfiinching
determination to work for the white
metal, which perhaps can be vouched
for in Ell her of the gentlemen that have
been named for the position; but il we
are to understand it is required, that for
the position, man must possess an
extraordinary amount of knowledge and
ability, should not Idaho feel proud of
having such host of such men?