The St. Louis Republic., 1903-04-26

My confidence in human nature was badly Jared
when heard this preachers son, who was
serving his first term in the House He looked the
part Of thoroughly unsOphistcated member from the
country. If there an honest man in the House
was satisfied this fellow was. until heard the fol-
lowing story him:
II seems that he had the power Of naming clerks
to be employed ON a certain job The work was easy
and the pay good. This part Of the job made huge
hit with the clerical force and there was rush 10
ger aboard One members nephew thought he had
Il "cineh'' on the job until he interviewed the MEM
her with the appointing power
Your name goes on the list provided get half
the salary was the he received from the
preachers son.
Why. l will have my uncle expose you for this
en- the floor of House. declared the applicant for
the position. who was unwilling 10 be mulcted out
Of one-half his salary. This threat had no effect ON
the member however
LAwMAKER WHOSE SPEECHES
do NOT MEAN ANYTHING
One night in a committee l heard eloquent
House member make oratorical effort on behalf OF
a certain measure that would have done credit TO
Patrick Henry. The measure most meritorious
one on its face and the member fairly Outdid him
self explaining how important it TO his con-
stituents that the bill in question should pass
While discussing the speech with a member of the
committee the day. astounded TO learn that
before lie started in to talk the eloquent member had
approached his friends the committee and told them
not 10 mind what he said in favor Of the bill that
night as it done simply for purpose What
he could have done and didn't do on behalf Of the
bill was also done for purpose" presume.
This same member is Of the most prominent
young leaders of his party in the State. How long
he will doing business this sort Of basis re
mains to be seen.
One weIEknown member Of the third house sent
me n sixty-rde ticket good of the roads he is
rbor c-ata xrnfrn on
80 the day the Legislature scheduled TO adj
journ / returned the pass and notified the person
who il to me that my term Of office did not ex-
pire on March 50. never heard from the gentleman
again until a few days ago, when received an an
Eual on the road. The only drawback 10 IL. however
is the fact that must sttach his signature to
conductors receipt whenever the ticket is used
This receipt is doubtless filed away by the railroad
company for future use. Should such an emergency
ever arise that made my vote necessary, presume
that receipts would be held over my head
and threat made TO sgainst me IL failed to
vote the right way. The State Constitution prohibits
a legislator from accepting free transportation No
matter when used the pass. the fact that IT might
have been on an occasion when charged the State
mileage would put the trouble Of doing lot OF
explaining. More serious consequences might even
arise in connection with the matter.
FREE TRANSPORTATION LAW
WILL DIsARM LOBBYISTS
The voters will have a chance to pass constitu-
tonaI amendment at the next State election making
il obligatory upon transportation companies TO trans
port Legislators free OF charge. In my estimation
this was the most meritorious bill passed by the
Forty-second General Assembly. II ought TO. and
doubtless win greatly curb the influence OF the rail
road lobby. Many country member travels on
PASS TO and from capital and then collects mileage
from the State Treasury. In accepting free trans
portaton he puts himself in the Of the lobbyist
10 certain extent and they don't fail TO take at
vantage of n