Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-01-14

none OF its abilities, to SO appear, seem
to have been biighted. Fhe attendance
at the opening of the regular biennial
session this year, if one may judge
from the opinions of the permanent re-
sidents here. considerably out numbers
any such occasions of former years.
Judging from the amount Of self intro
ducing which l have observed, the
opinion is soon confirmed, that some
people appear to be terribly anxious to
form new acquaintances. But as soon
as the preliminary expressions of in
terest are declared. it requires but a
few seconds to understand that some
one is looking for valuable endorse
| ment. Fortunate indeed. / consider
myself. haTiog been duly elected To
the Office of representative, by my fell
low citizens at home; and doubly so
when | possess the necessary creden-
tials to entitle me to recognition. For
! were it necessary for me to resort to
some of the methods that are used here
to secure positions, sadly fear that
some more Jealous indi yidual, would
be basking in the sunshine of prosperl-
ty; while | would be modestly retiring
again. to the quiet aud unaesumIug life
of dispenser of pills and lotions.
AS a member of the House of Repre-
sentatives | shall relate only of the
events which transpire 10 that division
of the States legislative organization.
The regular session of the 39Lh Gen
eral assembly was called to order by
the Secretary of State, promptly at
noon on the 9th of January, and pro-
ceeded Immediately to effect a tempo
rary organization. A list of the names
of the members who had been elected,
and were entitled to hold office, was
read and the oath of Office was admin
istered and afterwards subscribed to,
Individually. There are one hundred
and forty names on the roster of this
body, and all of the professions and
trades, as well as the ordinary sources
OF employment, are we'll represented.
The permanent organization was de-
ferred until the various candidates had
ample opportunity to ascertain their
strength and marshal their forces.
The race for the elective Offices began
Immediately after the November cleo
ton; but Judging from the ability with
"AANh Vi bbCh4 III
terests, / am inclined to state, that
they had begun much sooner. If each
one of the representatives received as
many applications by mail, as were
sent TO me. there will be no deficiency
to report in the income of the postal
service for the ensuing year. There
are ten principal Offices, with about
one hundred and twenty appointive
positions under them. The estimates
given by the newspapers here, places
the average at twenty applicants, to
each one of the positions to be filled;
who are here and ready to assume the
duties at a moments notice. What
then might be said of the number,
that are remaining at home waiting
for call to come, just as soon as their
member sends the necessary notice of
their selection. Indeed it is possible
to fill every one OF the positions from
the number of willing workers who re-
side in this city. As might be expect
ed, the certainty of the disappOint-
ment which is in store for nineteen out
of the twenty, only serves to make
them all the more active.
If there is anything within the range
of probability, that some of them
would not be able to request, after
experience here, | am wondering
what a description of its undesirable
features would contain. la cOuse-
quence of the political complexion of
this legislature, it Is evident that the
Democrats will claim all of houors,
and no one doubts their ability TO I'M
dertake the performance of such an as
sumption. There were live candidates
for Speaker of the House and from
eight to twenty for each of the other
elective offices. Caucuses were held, |
and other caucuseS of factions were |
held, all kinds of combinations were |
attempted. Trading of the patronage |
of the various offices was INDUCED, aud |
promises were made for anything one
might ask. In fact this has been the |
most promising occasion, that my limi- |
ted experience has ever Witnessed. |
The Republicans also had a full tick |
ct for election, which | suppose was |
made up in like manner, but probably |
not so vigorously commended for. The
election which followed, resulted in |
placing Democrats in all of the posi- |
tions. The inclination of the mem bers |
TO favor an equable distribu- |
lion of the various offices throughout |
the State, and was, no doubt as nearly |
as possible under exist |
ing circumstances.
Reading the transactions of the leg |
islature in the newspaper, one would |
infer. that almost nothing !
had been accomplished; but when l |
tell you that, what is expressed by a
single line of type. may have been the
result of an hours discussions; and Of
ten resulting in a directly opposed OBJ
lect FROM the original proposition,
then the records possess greater signi-
fcance. Considerable time is occupied
in the offering and debating of lengthy
resolutions, which often appear to be
mere self advertisement, than beuef-
cial legislation for the taxpayers of
the common wealth.
Until the speaker shall have an
nounced his appointments on the vari-
Gus committees. there can be nothing
done in the business line. All legisIa-
ton is accomplished, only after a pre-
scribed routine, which is laid down in
the laws of the State, aud is strictly
by parliamentary Gus
toms and usages.
The se~eral committees are supposed
10 be formed of members, whose spec
al qualifications and abilities, fit them
ior the consideration of such features