The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1899-11-24

done by the boys and men under my
direction. / do not say these things in
any sense of disparagement of Mckin-
ley, who did his work we'll; but simply
to give you an insight into the ways
of securing practical results in legis-
lation of national Importance.
when the Wilson bill was passed
in the Fiftythird congress, the demo-
cratic deputy sergeant-at-arms had
just as much work to do to keep up a
democratic quorum, and, to hear him
tell the story, you would be led to be-
lieve that he had even greater trouble
with his men than had with mine.
when sovereign people are casting
their ballots they do not half of the
time know what kind of men they are
electing to congress. They do not
know anything in detail of the ways
things are done in congress, and they
are often received by the men whom
they elevate and honor. Men who
realize the Importance of the trust COM
mitted to them would not need to be
watched and chased about to keep
them in line of duty"
All of these things are true, and the
people ought to know the facts. The
lessons of the past should prove to be
advantageous for the future. The
party now having a majority in the
senate and house of representatives
proposes to enact considerable nation
al legislation of Importance during the
coming session of congress. The ma
jority in the house of representatives.
is only IA; and it will be almost impos-
sible TO keep quorum present all the
time to do business. The people i'll
every district should know this, and
they should resent having their repre-
sentatives come to their homes on po-
litical missions while the congress is
in session. The people should compel
their representatives. to remain in
Washington and attend to their bust
ness.
When the congress conyenes in De-
cember the house of representatives
will elect speaker and other officers.
Ex-Secretary of State Henry Casson, of
Wisconsin, will be elected sergeant
alarms, and upon him will devolve
the duty of keeping quorum present.
He has had great experience in public
life and will prove to be equal to the
task. He was seven years private Sec
rotary to- Gov. Rusk, and four years
private secretary to the same states
man while he was secretary of agri-
culture. Afterwards he was secretary
of state for Wisconsin; and in these of
fetal positions he has not only gained
great practical knowledge of affairs,
but he has become acquainted with al
public men of the republic. Conse
quently it is assumed that he is well
equipped for the duties of the office.
But, judging from the experiences of
those who have filled the office in the
past, it may be assumed that he viii
have his hands full all of the time, and
that he will be very busy man dur
ing the entire session of congress;
session which will undoubtedly be pro-
longed far into the summer of 1900;
session which will be full of epoch
making events as well as of partisan
acrimony and heated discussions.
The moral of these facts is that the
people should themselves see to it that
their representatives do their duty and
that they shall each be compelled to
earn the salary of $4,000 which the gov
eminent pays for their services.
SMITH D. FRY.