The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-27

insurgents OF the partisan reports OF
Weyler, so he went to Havana and in
vestigated the situation for himself. We
will have Cuban news at first hand
from another source in the next con-
gress. Representative Elect Robbins of
Pennsylvania has been there, and he has
brought back very positive views about
the recognition of the republic. And
from the west comes the report that
Representative Elect Pearce of st. Louis
has chartered a tug and gone on an ex-
ploring trip down the Mississippi, with
a view to learning something at first
hand about river Improvement. No
doubt the constituents of these gentle
men will applaud them warmly for
their efforts to equip themselves for the
important positions they are to hold
Learning the Ropes.
The profession of congressman de-
mands no diploma. A man who knows
nothing about the history Of his country
can come here and help to make her laws
if bungling constituency sends him. He
passes no examination and takes no de-
gree to qualify as a lawmaker. So it
happens that we have a good many ig
noramuses in almost every congress.
Some of them never get over mild sur
prise at finding themselves in public
life, and some are blinded to their own
weaknesses by pride and never know
what sorry show they make. On the
whole, the latter class is to be envied.
An egotist's appreciation of himself is
SO gratifying-to him.
A great many new members of con-
gress come here after their election TO
learn the ropes. One Of the newly elect
ed Massachusetts, members is going to
housekeeping in week or SO, and we
have had several others at the hotels for
short visits. One of them, whom met
recently in the pleasing companionship
of Colonel Jay F. Durham, was Judge
Page Morris of Duluth, the city ire
deemably associated with the name of
Proctor Knott Judge Morris is thor
oughly at home in this section because
he was born in Virginia, and he is a
graduate OF the Virginia Military insti-
tute. He taught mathematics in Texas
colleges, studying law in his spare mo-
ments, and in 1880 he returned to Vir-
ginia, where he was a candidate for con-
gress four years later against John W.
Daniel. Mr. Daniel is now a senator
from Virginia and Mr. Morris a member
of the next congress from Minnesota.
A Warm Contest.
Mr. Morris made 1.-The fight of his
life' to win in the last election, and
Colonel Durham, who edited the Duluth
News-Tribune then, was his right bower.
Colonel Durham, like the leopard boy,
has changed his spots frequently, but
his politics only once. He was a Ken
tuclcian and Democrat when he went
to Duluth. But he voted Mark Hanna 8
ticket.
Mr.. Morris had for his opponent c. A.
Towne, the present member from Du-
1uth. The conditions under which he
sought election were peculiar. Mr..
Towne was elected to congress two
years ago as a Republican and sound
money man. Eight months later he
made hot speech for free silver coin
age at 16 to 1 by international agree
ment, if ble-independently, if we
must. He made a like speech in con-
gress, but professed allegiance to the
Republican party, and in spite Of his
radical views the Republicans stood
ready to renominate him. But Mr..
Towne was not cute. He followed Teller
in his bolt from the Republican party,
and therein lay his undoing. The Re
publicans could not nominate him.
They turned unanimously to Mr.. Morris
who was district judge of the Eleventh
judicial district of Minnesota
Instead of sticking to his own dis
trict, Towne went away campaigning in
other parts of the state. Toward the end
he grew frightened and put in some
time among his own people. But he was
too late to save his political head Mr..
Morris beat him by T12 votes Mr..
Towne had majority of more than
3, 900 votes two years ago, and plural
ity of nearly 10, 600.
No Legislative Experience.
Mr.. Morris has had no experience in
Legislative work at all The last con-
gressional campaign was singular IN
bringing to the from: men who had