Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1899-02-09
TO SAVE A SMALL SUN LEGIs-
LATORs ExFEEDED SEVERAL
THOUSAND DOLLARS.
HON. CT. cLARws RESOLUTION
Relative to the Payment Of Two salA
riss Voted Down by the Rsrubli-
cans, to the Humiliation Of
Speaker waTd-captain
Aliens Letter.

Corresponaence Of the LnDsHn.
JEFFRRsON CRY, Mo-, Feb. 8 8-0ld
Boreas spread himself during the past
week, but his zero weather didn't In
terfere with the onward flow of legis-
lation. The great river that iows by
the capitol was locked In an icy en-
brace, the streets we're covered with
a thin layer of frozen snow; but the
"spiritsn OF the members Of both
Houses flowed on just as II "spring.
Time Gentle. Annie'' weather was
bringing the roses TO blush. Don't
suppose for one moment that your
correspondent is referring to that
kind of "spirits" which have made
Kentucky famous. No, sir; not at ali.
The fact is, this Legislature, so far as
have seen, and I have seen a good
deal OF it, is drinking one. II
any one member has clipped the
glass" too often and failed TO "waik
a straight line," have not seen him.
One thing / will be positive about,
and that Ia, not a single member Of
this House has ever appeared in his
seat showing the least sign of the
slightest liquor excitement. This is
sober body, and the same thing may
be said OF the Senate. Some OF those
days, however, some remarks may be
made touching the advantages Ssna-
tors have over Representatives, espec-
tally in regard to committee room ex-
srcises.
Last week there was good deal Of
"cut and slash" in the House, and
some bad blood was manifested,
which all conservative men dseply
regret. The trouble came about thus:
Last November, and sbout the goth
day thereof, the Governor, in com
plIance with q statute directing him
so 10 do, appointed Mr.. Ward (now
Speaker Of this House), Senator Mo
Clintic and Mr.. Mueller, of St. Charles,
committee 10 look into the accounts
and the financial management OF
public offices at the capital. This
committee went to work, but did not
sat through within the time allowed
b. the statass Te.i~ f@sh was- .
tedious one, progress was slow, espec'
| iaIly when they we're looking into the
Labor Commissioner ofiicei and
when their time was ''up" the COM
mIttee were compelled TO ask for q
fifteen -days' extension Of time so
that they could complete their report
something that is nearly always
done. The statute allows the mem
hers of this committee each 50 per
day, plus expenses. When the ex-
| tension was asked, the question was
at once sprung, win the members OF
this auditing committee, each Of whom
Lis q member of the Legislature ane
drawing s5 per day as such member
also draw IS per day as member o
the auditing committeef
To Q "looker-on in Vienna"
seemed that no one cared penny To-
Senator McOlIntie or Mr.. Mueller
whether they got double pay or NJ
(, pay at all-but for Senator Ward &
get such double pay was awful. Ant
, a fight for ''economy"-an econom,
that involved the tremendous sum o
come s250-was begun that lasted tw
3 DAYS. The two days. discussion cos
: the State several thousand dollars
: and Il any benefit has been gained Q
any great saving to the State has bee
made no one has seen it. The fact
no one approves the drawing OF tW
o salaries by any officer, and II the cor
o tention had really been directed to
!, condemnation OF that practice or prir
Il ciple (or whatever you may call ~
. would have been decided In fe
= minutes, but that didn't seem to
n the object or purpose of those wi
precipitated the discussion. Itseems
r, that they wanted to "whack Ger u
i head, and humiliate Speaker War
b. and the Republicans are ready at
times TO Join hands and votes with q
'N Democratic minority in their effort
D do this, and finally success orown'
their efforts. That condemnation
ID the practice Of drawing two ssiari
:. At the same time was not the object
the resolution, but-the humiliation
Speaker Ward is attested by the 70
d. that when MIR. CLARK, OF Audral
o. offered the following resolution, NV
", voted down by the Democratic mine
A. ity and the Republicans;
aResolued, That tie the sense OF q
iy' House that no member can iega
sr' receive more than s5 per day q
to actual expenses for any and all .
tic vices he may perform during the o
-. sion OF this House as a member OF
committee appointed BY the Cover