The San Francisco call., 1897-10-28
OUR WEAKNESS AT WASHINGTON.

has been the theme of many complaint on the part of
our people. Nor have these complaints been without
foundation Hundreds of instances of neglect could be cited to
justify them. California has received nothing like her fair
share appropriations for public improvements The revenue
she has paid into the national treasury far exceeds the amounts
expended on her rivers and arbors and other works of
national character.
1t is worth while to seek out the of this neglect in
order that may devise some of removing it, for
shall suffer the effects long the
mains. The search will not be long In fact to those
who acquainted with the in which appropriation
bills made up at Washington, the of failure to
receive due share of them is plain piestaf We
have failed simply because have not given representa-
tves in Congress sufficient length service to enable them
to acquire potent influence with their fellow-members.
is not the delegations from the greater States that direct
affairs Congress- the delegations that have been longest
service Maine potent than New York because he
representatives have virtually life tenure of the office Men
who to Congress after make friends
among both parties and friendship gives power The
delegate who has rendered service to the Ohio delegation at
tme the New Workers another and in turn those of
other Staes hardly be refused by those he has
served when he goes day to ask them to vote for
appropriation for his State.
In politics. business and society," reciprocity is the
fundamental principle of the mutual relationships of
Our Congressman receive help exactly in proportion they
have given help. The at Washington, who has
assisted one, handicapped in competition with
of perhaps less ability but experience who asks
support for his bs not from strangers but from with
whom he has coopeTated in the past enact their bills
California will have her ghul and due prestige at
Washington until her people be e and changeabe
in political action So long change Congressman
with every succeeding term long will lack the power
compel governmental attention to interests The of
failure to obtain the appropriations merit is with
Selves and not with the officials at the national capital The
remedy also with ourselves If eliminate from poll
tics the local eaousies which seek drag down
he begins rise and acquire influence at Washing
ton, shall soon have to complain of gov
ernmenta neglect.
The issue is a most important to the State Our in
terests affected by legislation Washington very great
Either directly indirectly they the progress of every
community and the business of every citizen. is gross
folly leave the choice of delegates Congress the
chance and hazard of the strife posmen and local BOSSES
The representatives of the business and the industries of the
State should take that good elected
Washington and kept there when they have proven their
WorthineSs.
Let rid California of the absurdy of having districts
that need protection represented by casual freeaders;
sound money districts by unsound theorists and then having
elected satisfactory delegation to look after the interests
the State let keep at Washington grow and increase
strength from term to term