The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-24
7 to get away? Did she

men who will be in the next congress. I
pick them at random out of the pile AZ
the same time l find the names of ten new
congressman elect v no have been aldermen
or members of a legislature, and so have
helped to make municipal or state laws. If
the proportion holds good through the list;
we will have nearly 100 men in the next con
gress guiltless of any practical experience in
lawmaking.
Whatever their past legislative experience,
though. the roster of the next congress shows
an unusually distinguished lot Of new ma
terial. and the house promises 10 exceed in
Intelligence that Of the Fifty-four con-
gress or any of its immediate predecessors.
That means a great deal more to the country
than having men here who have served ap-
prenticeships in the making OF laws. Legis-
laing for country is different from legis-
lating for a city or state. No doubt too
most OF the new members are in touch with
rational affairs, even If they do not know the
rules OF the house or the duties of It's mem
berS. And that is more than can be said for
many men who have been made presidents
OF the United States. 1t has been said of
the presidency always that the capitol was
Few OF the presidents have had service in
congress.
President Cleveland had never helped make
a law except when, as governor Of New
YORK, ne signed bills sent to him by the
Legislature, or when mayor of Buffalo he
approved bills passed by the municipal as
Sembly. He was not we'll acquainted with
national afatrS-a fact which one Of his close
ADVISERS illustrated by saying that he thought
the tariff ws something to eat when he first
came to Washington.
jackson knew little of public matters
and he acted in defiance of all law when he
invaded the Spanish possessions. Clay wanted
congress to condemn him, but the old hero
came to Washington himself to protest against
the resolutions, and they were not passed
Jackson, in spite of his ignorance of public
affa1rs, made record at Washington which
the Democratic party never tires of celebrat-
ing, and there is little doubt that Mr. Cleve-
land will be equally lauded by posterity. On
the whole, l think it is a good thing some
times to send men of limited experience to
Washington. They come here with minds
fresh and impresSionable What they see in
terests them as it could not interest the faded
polltlc1an who has been looking at it for per-
haps twenty years They take an original
view of everything. They criticiSe what the
old politician has learned to tolerate, and
they shake up the dry bones in both houses.
New blood is good for anybody and esnecially
for the body legislative.
HARD TO OUTGRow.
But. it is hard to get the old members 10
give up congress. I'VE could make twice as
much at the practice Of law as we get here"
said one Southern member to another recent
". Perhaps So" said the other, but the
$1,000 year comes in pow'ful reg'lar.''
The habits of a congressman become pow
full reg'lar'' too. He would be miserable if
he could not attend the opening Of congress,
sit in the cloak room to have his hair cut
go to the basement of the capitol to take 4.
bath, use government pencils and paper and
send his letters without pay. Then there
is the pass privilege. The congressman car
ries ANIMALS en- most of the railroads running
out of Washington. He sends kilograms and
his express packages free. The only person
to whom he has to pay tribute is Mr. Pull
man, the man with the iron heart. No WON
der the old congressman wants to keep Ms
job in spite of the poor pay.
Speaking of passes, they tell an interesting
anecdote Of Southern senator whom jeff
Davis described once as the educated pig.
This senator has always made it his business
to denounce the railroads when opportunity
offered, and he has refused always to ac-
cept railroad passes for himself. One day no
went into the office Of a Southern road ana
said he wanted tickets for his family and
o colored servant.
'All right, senator" said the general agent
OF the road. THAT VIII be so much"
The senator took out a fat wallet He
opened it hesitatingly. II think you ought
to take my servant for nothing he said
Sorry. SENATOR, said the agent, bandy.
eve couldn't do that. But If you viii let
me make cut a pass for you"
No no." snorted the senator. 'I'li pay tor
my ticket" And ne paid for al Of them.
George Grantham Balm.