Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-02
From Jefferson City.

1 quest 10 write something Tor pUDIlca-
ton concerning my experience while
here. will al least make an attempt
The earlier part of the session was SO
completely occupied with the orgaui-
cation, and the time passed so rapidly.
| that each day was gone before l had
even stopped TO think of the outside
world.
LII 1t were possible to retain the ideas,
or TO note them as they pass In success
sion through ones mind. probably
enough might be saved from the whole
lot, TO compose an Interesting narra-
ton. But each day and hour brings
new thoughts and varied associations,
SO that it seems almost impossible to
write any thing that would be OF inter
est without rehearsing many things
which the daily papers have already
published. By the time | had become
reconciled TO the defeat in the election
OF the officers; | was Frustrated by the
grippe, and felt more like keeping
quiet. than attempting to write for the
paper. This malady has been preva-
lent here and has affected everybody.
In comparing notes its varied forms of
attack are wonderful and the results
in many cases quite serious. If / had
been an editor during the past two
weeks. and paper had depended on
me for news | would have been com
PEELED to use the scissors instead of The
pen
To give satisfactory account of the
organization of the House of Repreeen-
tRfJUaS nf fhn 1lth
1t is necessary to go back TO the No
vember election. Even for months
previous some would-be leaders, had
proclaimed their candidacy for the
highest positions. But Immediately
after the results of the elections had
been published. letters began TO arrive
setting forth the claims of the various
aspirants for the elective offices. The
number of candidates continued 10 in
crease until from six to ten. according
to the importance of the Office, were in
the race and all apparently confident
OF success. If the assurances of abIll-
ty or the anxiety to serve the people,
were any guarantee of the kind of SER
vices which would be rendered. then
1t was of little importance whom were
chosen The process of marshaiing
forces aud obtaining promises was
vigorously continued through the
mails, and on every occasion, where
any number of Legislators CHANGED to
be assem- bled.
Most of the candidates were disposed
to advocate their own claims. and per-
mitted all others the same privilege
Tho nAiaofoc frr III
aud efficient men; each part of the
state was represented. while the south
east bad two aspirants. AS natural
Beither were expected to
be successful. In politics the laws of
economy are often Influenced by un-
seen opponents. So it was in this case,
one of the candidates was endorsed and
naturally aided by those highest 10
authority in the slate, while the others
we're opposed by all means of attacks,
personal political and all other kinds
which were necessary to accomplish
their defeat.
There were also applicants for each
of the other elective Offices from our
district. Naturally one would be ex-
pected 10 stand by his neighbour, in
preference to one from another part of
the state. A choice must be made. |
and all thoughts of friendship must be
laid aside, where ability and adapta-
bility were the essential qualifications.
On arriving at St. Louis the pros
poets of the several leaders 10 the race
were soon learned, for some combina-
tions had been effected Early in The |
week the members began to assem- Bile |
Ill the Capital and then the earnest |
work began. Each candidate estab- |
lished in some convenient headQuar-
tiers, where all the good things which |
be had done or might do, were related |
to the several members of the assem-
bly, as fast as they arrived on the |
ground.
The ability of the workers for the
several candidates to push and pull, to
possible and many things almost i'm
ooss, BILE. was interesting 10 behold.
And no doubt some. whose small
bored intellect will not permit two
IDEAS 10 occupy the same vacuum at the
'ame time. will continue 10 foster feel
ngs of dislike for a life time. for 9TH
ers who were disposed to act in &C
,urdance with their own judgment
Having associated ia the laet session
With all of the ca tdIC ateS, | felt quail
fed to decide 10 my choice Re
ying solely npou MY abahts tn j.dge
men, and reasoning from previous OBJ
,ervations of the duties to be perform
ID. decided to support the one, who.
q my opinion, would make the most
suitable officer. Having ,houghtfully
considered the matter, fairly and hon.
estly weighed all the arguments. add
% one an admiration and friendship. |
md to the other an undue and unde-
'irab BILE Influence. / do not hesitate to
'ay that there were influences used
md methods practiced which should |
nave been denounced by every honest
nan. The personalities which were
injected into this contest. were used
oy those who should not have been
Known in the case. and whose duties
we're sufficient TO occupy their atten-
ion, ana have left the organization of
he assembly to the members who /
it.
Had the members been free to voice /
heir sentiments, or had more of them
been possessed of sufficient manhood
20 assert their rights. the election
would have resulted differently. But
pride one of the most dangerous temp
5ations to weak human pature was in
1ueDtial and completed the victory 4
desire to be popular. prominent on the
winning side, and to be seen With
hose in authority was too great to