New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-03
BAKER TELLS WHY HE USES FRANK.
"Anti-Pass' Member Explains His Sending
Party Literature Free Through Mails


Sir: My attention has just been called to the
article in Sundays Tribune headed Criticism of
Anti-Pass Bakers Use OF FraRkirg Privilege"
So much space having been given to the article,
and as many Of your readers may deduce there
from the conclusion that the circulation of my
speeches In this manner IS abuse OF the frank
Ing privilege. It would seem only fair that an op-
portunity should be accorded me to state how and
why this speech is thus out.
Some fifteen months ago received through the
mails. under the frank OF Congressman Littefeld,
what purported be n list OF trusts" on which
stamped with n rubber stamp. appeared an adj
yertiscment OF the Congressional Information Blu
reau' a private cOncetn located IN Washington.
at once sought Postmaster Roberts calling his
attention TO what then regarded a violation
OF the franking privilege I pointed ont that il
such document could be mailed under frank.
there would seem to he why n depart
ment store could not have its advertisement placed
on q CongreSSman's speeches To this he assented
but my expressing increduity he offered TO
communicate with the Postmaster Generals de-
partment and secure a ruling thereon. Some ten
days later he informed that the Postofnce De-
partment sustained his view.
Now, your criticism: What right has he
(BakeD to allow the special privileges given TO
him personally to be used by the Radical DeInoc-
racy. a political. partisan organization. for the
dissemination Of what is PaIpabIy campaign lit
erature?''
Nour critic presumably Is unaware that the Con-
gress committees OF both parties send out in Con-
gress elections. particularly in Presidential cam
pagns, millions Of these speeches. many. how
ever. like that Of Congressman (now SENATOR Dick
of January O. sixty pages long and that Of Con-
gresham McCleary, OF April %. hfty-sS pages In
length, being documents OF which not
tence was uttered the floor OF Congress
Like most other abuses. &c operates In favor of
the rich and powerful and against the poor md
weak No matter whether It be q political party
which raises S6.O00.Or campaign fund to save
the honor Of the country; whether II be a mill
fnT lot
lam Waldorf Aston or Henry Cabot Lodge: whe her
II be one like ChaunCey NJ Depew. who can COM
mand the Vanderbilt milions-ir operates against
the party or tho candidate who is not rich or
who Is not backed by tho putocratic interests
Your critic grows indignant over the poor weak
Radical Democracy OF Brooklyn sending out a few
thousands OF my speeches. but seemingly has no
eyes Tor the millions OF speeches which the Re
publican Congress Committee is sending out much
or the matter for which was prepared by depart
ment clerks at Washington paid out Of the Dubli,
funds. Republican Congressman and Senators have
at their command and freely call upon brreau
chiefs and clerks to make up literature which is
inserted In THE Congressional Record and then
circulated under some ones frank How unfair
the whole business is Is shown in the fac, that
the Prohlbitonists. Populists Single Takers and
Socialists have no Representatives in Congress and
consequently Nve no means of getting their mat
ter made into public documents: and even IL they
could cannot raise -thousandth part of this
money the G.. O. p. can and does raise for such
0or it, comparatively innocent purpose
Your critic says: IF no is able to paw his own
railroad fare. he loudly proclams surely the
Radical Democracy should LIE able to Fay postage
on its own campaign literature" First as to the
Radical Democracy. That organization is made
up In tho main Of a band o: enthusiasts who in
sist that things are radically" wrong in body
polite which produces tho millionaire and his corol-
larry. the tramp. and out of the scanty earnings OF
enrhfen b pay %son Tor meengs and literature to
rlyes the power to rob and Cypress the pSopIe.
the plutocratic forces In either party IL could
not only obtain the funds to send out millions of
II sends out thousands in it's efforts 10 eiII-
cate them. but there would doubt be placed at
other accessories of responsibility Inertia and eo.I
tentment. so long 1t did not challenge the sx-
/ have never said let alone loudly proclaimed"
that was able to pay my railroad fare. But that
members of Congress L signed n receipt for the
mileage which the law allows. I could scarcely
road pass in my pocket. That aspect of the matter
Is. however, trivial compared with the we'll known
handing new legislation in their Interest," mod,fcs-
tons OF or relief from provisions of laws enacted
Ieges but they openly hagrantly and notoriousy
NpIate EXISTING laws None are more vocifecous
In demanding that law and order shah be main
tanned. particularly against their employees while
all the time they nuify. trample upon and set m
naught laws affecting them. So commonplace has
tn I become that whoever. like the Governor OF
Wisconsin. would attempt to curb or check them
or even require that they also shall DO lawabiding
Is denounced as fanatic a 'Populist" or
laughed at as a fool a visionary -
IL is not In human nature that he who Is the
recipient of favors from a railroad. telegraph or
telephone company care not whether he he
alderman. assessor District Attorney. Corporation
Counsel Mayor Judge whether he no Assem-,
blyman. Senator Congressman United States sem
ator; Cabinet officer the President himself
can bring the same mpartality to the consideration
had not used or We're not using their passes and
irp pnhs;, -, 40 . ROBERT BAKER.