The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-13
FEpERAL PATRONAGE.

In the current number Of the Forum
member of Congress from Alabama, has
an article on 'rrhe Corrupting Power Of
Public Patronage" He has served
three terms at Washington and so may
assume to know something Of the prac
teal side of politics in the national CAPT
tai. He details past and present history
to strengthen his arraignment Of form
of bribing that is considered respect
able.
Mr. Underwood gravely announces
that during his entire service in Con-
gress he has not learned Of the corrupt
use of money to influence legislation.
That is comforting thought. The
charges of corruption against Senators
and Representatives are usually un-
founded, he says, except In the distribu-
ton Of spoils.
As showing the heavy expense Of the
spoils system on the Government, he
points out that in 1926, before the in
auguration Of the system, the civil ex-
penditures amounted to 81, 400. 900; in
1883, after. it's Inauguration, they
reached total Of $22,713.OOO, with n
corresponding increase of the number of
officers dependent. In the succeeding
years three collectors Of the port of New
| York defanlted In amounts aggregating
over $2,OO0,O00, and down to the ap-
pointment of Mr.. Arthur, in 1871, the
New York Custom house was q mass of
corruption and abuse Of power.
After the passage of the Trumbull
resolutions ON March 3, 1871. an i'm
provement was noted. but not until the
Pendleton bill became law, in January,
1883, were the abuses of half century
previous seriously checked.
| 1t is by evasion Of this Civil Service
law that much Of the present patronage
is secured. Places simply must be
| found if Representative wishes to hold
| his political leadership 1T is he says
that the pressure brought by the people
at home on their Representatives to Sc
cure offices for them gives the executive
branch of the Government a dangerous
power in influencing legislation
Taking advantage of this fact, ad
illustrations pass measures that other
wise would never see their way into the
statute books. Mr.. Underwood cites thu
case. Of the. Porto Rican tariff. In tn,
beginning, over thirty Republican mem
bers of the House declared themselves
opposed, but, rs the debate progressed
announcement was made that the ad
ministration whip was being used-il
other words, that patronage and pres
sure from home districts were brough
to bear on the recalcitrant Representa-
|; tives. After the debate had closed, onl,
] wight of the Republican opposition re
: manned on their ground.
Mr.. Underwood does not claim tina
| the present administration alone is re
. sponsible for the condition of affairs
He does contend that from decade to de<
ade it has grown worse instead Of be,
ter. Concluding, he points out as tn
only remedy law prohibiting the reI
: resentative of the people from havin
5 any voice in the appointment Of the 60,
. ernmental offices, either directly or il
directly, and making him ineligible fc
an appointive Office under the Cover
ment for; at least two years after til
. term for which he has been elected ha
} expired
While coinciding in the efficacy (
the remedy. there II reason to belief
that the alabama COngreainaan b
=