Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-03-20
is CRAFTSMANSHIP A GRAB?

is CRAFTSMANSHIP A GRAB!
The Cedar Rapids Gazette delivers
itself of half column asking what
Congressman Cousins has done for his
district that he should be retained in
office? The complaint is made that he
does we'll enough by a few newspaper
friends in Cedar Rapids, but pays little
attention to the other counties of the
seenly in the Gazette to have waited
until some republican paper raised
complaint for so long as all seem salts
fled outsiders should not borrow
trouble. but the Gazettes question is
entitled to consideration. OF late there
has been very little that the district
was entitled to from the hands of the
national government until rural free
delivery was inaugurated. Then all at
once the Iowa congressman, including
the speaker himself. woke up to the
realization that Bob Cousins in his
quiet way had landed more rural deliv-
cry routes for his district than any one
of them had done. 1t is needless to
enumerate the federal appointments of
the Fifth district men, but the republi-
cans of each county seem very we'll sat
isfied
However this test of what has he
.o,, 1,.l
to congressman's fitness for his place
is becoming rather disgusting of late
in the frequency of its use. We have
just listened to the newspaper argu-
ments of the Hull-Prouty campaign, in
which the only claim Mr.. Hull seemed
to have for return to congress was
that he was better able by experience
to get million dollar appropriation for
Des Moines So common has this claim
for Hull's commanding abilities as a
member of congress become that a fell
low member at Washington was moved
expensive for Uncle Sam to keep Hull
in congress. Two years ago 1t was
$500, 600 for an army post and now II
was S1000000 for a postoffice building,
Said member observed that If all con-
gressmen were as expensive the federal
government could better afford to leave
them all at home.
From the general use OF this kind OF
argument in congressional campaign
it would seem that the only use a dis
trict has for congressman is for him
to grab from the national treasury His
vote on epoch-making legislation such
as the canal BILL monetary reform bills.
tariff reform measures, or his work OH
business of the nation, seem of little
consequence. when a congressman is up
for reelection. 1t is exceedingly dis.
gushing to see our politics reduced to
such plane. The Gazette, asks why re,
publicans of this district do not pass
the plum around. and the answer is
very apparent that the republicans
have not found man of more eminent
ability than Mr. Cousins. He is man
of influence in national affairs at
Washington, member of important
committees, speaker of such force as
to command attention among thou
sands. II candidate should arise who
could prove his claim to ability and ca
pacity superior to Mr.. Cousins the re-
publicans ought then to transfer their
congressional commission. but the r.
r. sincerely hopes that a campaign will
never be waged on issues of what
has he done?" or what can he %" for
the district. Marshalltown has present.
ed unanswerable claims for a federal
building. Mr.. Cousins lis doing all In
his power to secure congressional rec
ognition of these claims, and an appro-
priation. but if he should fail such fail
ure ought not to reflect upon his capa-
cities sas a statesman. Since when did
craftsmanship consist of grabbing pub
lie funds or fat jobs for ones district?
Was it for this that the immortal men
of independence Hall drafted consti-
tuition providing for a house of repre-
sentatives?
COUNTY BONDS FOR ROADS.
A recent incident at Mason City
wherein local bank subscribed for an