The Savannah morning news., 1901-03-24
The Franking Privilege.

Some person employed in the poStofnce
Of the House of Representatives has been
so unkind as 10 call attention 20 the lit
tie stealings done by the members of that
body in the matter of franking Kitchen
stoves. reaying machines, and the family
wash from the capitol to their homes as
mail matter sent on official business. of
course, this unkind persons remarks
have caused some editorial comment of
character as caustic as if the statement
were the revelation of something entirely
unheard of. This employe Of the post
office is evidently Come young man who,
but recently has been corralled. No per-
son of any experience whatsoever would
consider it worth while to again direct
attention to what is regarded as great
abuse of the franking privilege.
1t is always some unseasOned man who
makes remarks about these things and
causes a little furry. After the new-com-
er has been here for a year or two he
ceases to regard these things so serious
w. He will have discovered by that time
that If nothing of a graver nature is ever
cone, Uncle Sans treasure chest would
soon be bursting with a plethora of dol
lars But while a man is green, he broods
on these little perquisites and imagines
such puny little mole-hills to be large
enough to attract attention even If placed
as integers in the range of the Hmalaya
mountains. II he were in China, he would
think it was dreadful that the American
officers should buy costly fabrics from
Coolie Cinnamon at few dollars (Mexi-
cam and ship them TO friends in this
country. But the man who has long been
in government services, ceases TO regard
these things as worth talking about. The
government doesn't lose anything because
congressman ship their household goods
home in mail cars. The railroad and ex-
press companies are the only ones who
may in the expressive language of the
day, have a kick coming at the practice
If the government did not carry them as
mail matter the express companies might
get few dollars out of the thrifty con-
gresham, but it is more likely that the
congressman would be around the gem
eral Offices Of the express companies with
their hands out asking for express franks
A good many have been so honored by
the express companies, but as each book
contains only comparatively few
stamps and as these may be needed for
articles that can by no possibility be
shipped in the mail cars. the Congress-
men who hate to part with their hard
earned money would undoubtedly con-
tinue to send them under a postal frank.
An Obtuse Congressman.
The furry in the House Of Representa-
tives during the last week of the ses-
sion, on account of the abuses in making
up the list of employees OF that body
arose from the fact that some guileless
members, after serving six years, has
just made the discovery that men were
drawing pay for labor they never per-
formed. This Congressman is unusually
obtuse, or he would have learned OF the
practice long ago and having learned Of
Il, he would have sung the little song en-
titled Gimme a Piece Of that Money or
III Break Up the Game" The wise rep
resentative Of the people, when he learns
that there has been some pork distribu-
ted closes his mouth, proceeds 20 the
man who deals out the good things and
demands his share. II is only once IN
a while that such an exhibition Of right
eous Indignation as D. shown by Represen-
tative Moody or MasFnchusctts Is given
for the odiAcaiion Of the dear people. by
this Il Is not intended 10 say that Moody
is not live man. but merely that his
Olfactory nerves are not very acute. or
he would long ago have discovered the
odor Of pork. Having discovered a., had
ne been like other members ~ the House,
~ would merely have demanded hiaahare.
and ~ he rs an influential member. he
would have received a. without muir
mur. The rule Of nddiilou. division. and
silence b. stll very highly regarded by
men who lre oloefcd 10 serve enc people.
Ga, For ~ work
This matter N carffins fnen on fhe 10Y
roll and not compelling algm ~ Wgfh