River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1902-07-10
ARE GETTING CROSS.
congressman No Longer in Love
with the Reed Rules.
Republicans as Well as Democrats
Tired of One-Man Power in the
Shaping OF National
Legislation.
Especial Washington Letter.1

sional life that man should
desire to spend all of his days
in its drudgery," says Congressman
Page Morris, of Minnesota. There is
no ADLER man, no more conscientious
public servant in the national house or
representatives than the gentleman
from Duluth He was born in Virginia,
of one of the Oldest and best families OF
that great commonwealth, and IN 1884,
when only 30 years of age, he was the
republican candidate for congress
against John w. Daniel, one of Vir-
pinfa's ablest and most eloquent sons,
and came near being elected. Mag.
Daniel was subsequently elected to the
limited States senate, and IS still a
member of that body. Mr.. Morris, IN
1886. went to Duluth where he has since
resided. He has been representing the
Duluth district in the house of repre-
sentatiyes since 1896, when he was
elected to succeed the celebrated ora
tor Charles A. Towne.
81 have had all of the experience in
national legislation that desire"
says Judge Morris, "and am ready to re-
tire to private life. Although some
men remain in congress as long as the
people will keep them there, there
comes time when every man would
gladly retire, and propose to retire
now, before the life pals on me. There
is an awful lot of hard work in the life
of congressman, and there is very lit
tie appreciation of it in some quarters,
because thousands Of people have no
conception Of the environments of
representative of well nigh 100000
citizens"
That is a very brief way Of telling
the story. There is nothing but selfish
ness in the life of professional poll
tician, and there is no such thing as
gratitude High-mindcd gentlemen
must, sooner or later, tire of congress
sional life. The longer a man remains
in the senate or the house of represen-
tatives, the more supremacy selfish he
becomes, and the more ungrateful to
those to whom he owes his preferment.
The few who retain their unselfishness
of disposition tire of the life and quit
it, sooner or later.
Very few members of either branch
of the congress have the courage to
resign, and fewer possess the wisdom
to voluntarily decline nominations for
those positions. Even the great Will
liam Mckinley chung to his place in the
house of representatives until he was
defeated at the polls in 1890. That de-
feat made him a presidential probable
ity.
The designations of Senators Conk
ling and Platt, of New York, in April,
1881, are wildly remembered by those
who were at that time interested in po-
litical affairs. They dramatically re-
tired from the senate, expecting to be
Immediately reelected by the legisla-
ture of their state. 1t was their pur-
pose to thus challenge the wisdom of
the president who had dared to NOM
mate for high office a man for whom
the senators entertained AVERSION.
That they were right in asserting their
constitutional privilege to 'advise"
with the president there can be no
question but the administration was
powerful enough to overthrow them
and induce the election of other sena
tors in their places.
Three years ago Thomas B. Reed, of
Maine, resigned a greater office than
that Of senator, an office almost as
powerful as that of chief magistrate
of our republic. While occupying the
position of speaker of the national
house of representatives Mr.. Reed re
signed from congress and retired to
private life. He was opposed to Nc
Kinley's policy in the Philippines, and
in other matters, and he resigned
rather than remain in congress and
continue in political wrangle. 1t is
probable that the administration
would have been powerful enough to
have caused Mr.. Reed a great deal of
trouble or humiliation if he had not
retired from the scene of his triumphs
and Civilizations. His superior ability
has always been conceded, even by
those who were most opposed to him.
That he rendered his party and his
country good service is conceded; and,
yet, the Reed rules are not an unmixed