New-York tribune., 1906-05-27
WOULD STOP PATRONAGE
Mr. Perkins Says 1t Shortens Con-
gressmen's Terms.
1Frors rne tribune Burean.l

washington. MAY 2s-.sNo single thing has done
SO much in increasing the duration OF the
Conversational term the fact that our pa'iosNeo
has been largely reduced"
This statement was made by Hepresen'auso =
kins of New York. in a speech In wnich ne 81,
urtsed many Of his associates In the House pS az
yocating the cutting of of all patronage ior Con
gressrnen. declaring that the giving OF government
sohs to constituents was harmful TO the man VINO
received the Job and thankess for the Congress
man. Mr.. Perkins said:
I want 10 submit some statistics, which @ tnlnh, A
curously bear out the statement that 5hs Sv
ton of patronage owe o,o1ae taeSe e9ander whose
book on the political history OF New York. am
glad to inform you will soon appear. .,,,s sov
to s ssOS ut s sh Moase
You suppose served only one terrn7 About four hun.
Ssse Ssse at alt boG Gf ohs n hundred and atty
the dignity of serving two terms In otner
served over two terms The figures are not e0aes
but ts seeg ga aIf minority of about fifty Con
gressional life extended 10 more a than mnioue in
0ns 0ns es4y ssse ten stofy One
terms. and most of the rest am toio' serSeu '--'
have not the exact figures for the saeGs ensuing
Now. let come down to the present. fhouSh
the present membership OF this house. more
than one-half have served three terms. ioS lhoSSs
serving their first term instead OF 2eing on the
New York delegation. are now only one-sixth OF ne
only one in twelve served more than two terms
Now in twelve of this House have served more more
delegation itself seventy years It furntshe
only one man who obtained 1d 1ae ons for nine
out Of total Of 600. Now We have @ aIIons sad Ua5
eleven terms or more and one who has served hiae
terms. ,y.r, WORT. sa,s-
CATION in the last eiect9n as the result 81 ne Of
The daieRatfon served terms or more. IL
former years that was the iot OF ony aoqSe S, me
everase m dueaion Of Songressionai life has doubled
NST what Is the qRa9 Of f as not an
the representatives from the State OF New York on
m han Sur aSs @ or eighty
There are many who talk OF the superior WISDOM
Of the United States was a greater body in the
early part of the last century than 1t is now;
on on an average @ we. ~ are just as good representa-
gves as they were. but probably we are no better
OF any great superiority IN wisdom or virtue
keep men in political ofce than existed formerly
and that the people favor longer tenure unless a
some truth in this. but. on the other hand there
must be some explanation for this change Of feel
ing. The fundamental explanation is that formerly
oS man al had great number numb Sr of offices which he
greater body Of applicants who wanted to Ill them
No matter how many places he had, he could not
Pointed ones Began Immediately to WORK We G for the
nomination of some other candidate who would
their places. That is the secret or the constant
changes in political representation.
When the House convened to-day the Diplomatic
and Consular Appropriation bin was taken up IN
ongh Stamp ef aT h0 % RSG s oS i S&s
his threat to insist upon a quorum before lesisla-
ton could proceed. The floor leader Of the ma
tority, Mr. Payne. talked with Mr.. Clark, who
finally withdrew his point of no quorum" and
whole without a rollcal
While the bill was under discussion speeches were
rnade various topics by different Congressman.
MT: Rp@Gker. @ Of Missouri IN an address. on pub
toward the movement TO prevent campaign CON
trtbutions from corporations and other political
corruption. Mr. Lamar, OF Florida, discussed the
rate BILL saying that it delusion and snare.
Champ Clark. OF Missouri, said that he had heard
whisperfngS that the Chinese Exclusion law was to
be modified to affect all classes Of Chinese, with
the exception OF coolie labor. He gave notice that
If there was any such intention the part OF the
majority he would fight such change to the last
ditch. Other speeches were made by Samuel w.
Smith, of Michigan; in favor of postal telegraph;
Mr.. Murphy. OF Missouri. Statehood and Mr.
tia of Missouri a psnsionable status.