Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-03-20

The new YORKER LEFT congress
With A GOOD RECORD.
Was Conservative Fighter of All
Corrupt Practices. He Fought fhe
COngre SSionai Mileage Grab, Which
Passed the House But Was FILLED
in the Senate.

Robert Baker left congress on the 4th
with record for good service Of which
many OF his associates in that body
might well be envious if ambition for
good service entered into their thoughts
Mr.. Baker became famous before taking
his seat, by refusing railway passes,
those little conrtesies whereby iriend Y
understandings are established with
congressman, presidents, judges and
other public officials who have it in their
power to dispense courteses in return.
This brought down upon Mr.. Bakers de.
frenzied, OF every pass-grafter in the
country and has set in motion some very
encouraging anti-pass legislation. He
could not get congress to notice the cor
rupt practice, however, and the caucus
OF his own party, against large minori.
tv, effectually pigeon-holed his resolution
condemning the practice. The rdicule
that assailed Mr.. Baker for exposing
congressional corruption at this vulner-
able point, followed him in everything
he did. Among those citizens who get
newspaper correspondents, the notion
may prevail that Mr.. Baker has played
the part OF an irresponsible and hysteri-
cal crank, laughing stock for the safe
and sane members who tried at first to
silence him by parliamentary fnesse,
but were beaten by Baker at their own
game. But different opinion is held OF
Baker by those who have followed him
in the official reports Of the Congression-
al Record. We do not allude only to
speeches he never delivered, but which
like those of nearly every other congress.
man, ere inserted in the Record under
"leave to print" We refer to his short
speeches actually delivered on the floor,
which testify to his ability, his fidelity,
his public spirit and his vigilance.
One OF Bakers latest exploits on the
floor was to denounce the mileage grab
mercilessly. He had fought for the
school teachers of the District OF Coum,
bia, whose salaries were despicably re.
duced on the plea of economy, and now
he was confronted with an appropria-
ton Of $4,000 as mileage to congress.
men (hmself included) for journeys they
had never taken, during an interval be-
tween sessions which had never occurred.
Baker was the only New York member
who spoke against it, and he spoke SO
vigorously that another New York mem
Der, Sherman, taunted him in reply with
having been defeated for reelection.
This fraudulent appropriation was voted
by the House, but the Senate stopped
it; and now the greedy congressman
who voted for it are in the uncomfortable
situation OF having made a dishonest
grab at public dollars which they failed
to catch. This instance of fighting plum.
der is typical of Bakers career in con-
gress. He has fought plunder of this
fought plumber of the other kind. 1t was
just as offensive to him and just as much
the object Of his exposure and assault
when respectable as when disreputabe.
Mr.. Baker goes out OF congress with un.
stained hands, an unsullied conscience,
and record for industry and vigilance
and fidelity to which but few in that
body can lay legitimate claim. When
the history of this congress settles into
its proper perspective in the history OF
the country, Robert Bakers record will
shine with honor through the negative
records OF he gaping nobodies and the
wretched performances OF the pernicious
busy ybodies who have controlled and for
the most part composed the congress
which has just closed. 1t is to be hoped
that the voters OF Baker, district Will
redeem themselves two years hence by
re.e!ecting him to the body in which he
has rendered such unusual and excellent
service.