The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-01-14
KENT HOWARD IN WASHINGTON
Being the Story of a New Congressman and His Temptations, as Told by Series of
 Letters to His Wife.

The story got out and the boys are guying me about 1t, so I am telling you before you get distorted Version of 1t. Still, my break was not any worse than that of a couple of new members from Missouri, who confessed to me. in an exchange Of cloakroom confidences. that when they took their first dinner with g. we'll known Sena- tor they put creaml and sugar in their bouillon when it was served to them in cups. Things like these are calcu- lated to take the conceit out of A new member, make him cautious, and even tually pliable enough for the purposes of those whose business it is to see that the Washington system is not interfered with.
 l must tell you about my first at- tempt at legislation and how rapidly I am not getting anywhere with it. As soon as I learned that they were figuring on a river and harbor bill I remembered how old Blodgett had kept his seat from the Tenth District for two or three terms on the strength of getting an appropriation of $50,000 for the Muskegee River (Mud Creek we always called 1t before that), and furnished work for all the farmers boys for several seasons. That appro- priation supplied the boys with spend ing money, and might have been good yet if one of Blodgett's political ene- mics nad not sent the CnleI engineer or the War Department photograph showing that the river had gone dry.
 Well, I went before the committee and asked for an appropriation of $50,- 900 for the improvement of the Big Muskegee and presented arguments to show the imperative necessity of water transportation for the products of our mills, farms and factories. I gave them an array of figures show ing what the tonnage of water ship ments would certainly be if this great enterprise were carried out.
 Precident in the Way.
 thought I was making some head- way until I ran against the snag which, am since informed, wrecks the hopes of many a new member in his first at- tempt to sail the sea of Congressional Legislation. That snag is precedent" the old timers call 1t "preeseedent," but they are use 1t. They throw that at you until you are ready to start move ment to have the word stricken from the language, and if you are still in- sistent, they inform you, as a positive elincher, that your proposition is con, trary to a long line of established usages." They have precedent here for everything In the world, except res- ignation from office.
 Since my failure before the commit tee have been learning something about the essentials to success in push ing such matters. Several of the mem- bers have intimated to me that they could bring certain pressure to bear on the committee in behalf of my measure if I could induce one or both of our Senators to support public building bills or something of that kind for their dis tricts. I have been promised that one Southern member of the committee will look with favor on the Big Muskegee proposition If I will get couple of members of my party to front" with the President on an appointment quar- rel that is up in the members district.
 Reciprocity in Back Scratching.
 It is a clear case of you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" and I am consid derably worried as to what course I shall pursue in the matter. It is question as to whether shall stand up and fight for principle, follow the prom ises I made when seeking the election, or start in as a trader, Legislative curb broker, and, by helping others with their pet plans and projects, final ly land an appropriation for the Big Muskegee and ciTfch the farmer vote for years to come. You know, dear, how feel about 1t at heart, but there are symptoms that the virus of the system Is working, and I will probably, find myself shouting for Muskegee and an appropriation.
 I have been disappointed again in my plans for seeing the President. I made an engagement by telephone the other day, but when I reached the White House I was informed that the Presi- dent was very busy. I succeeded, how ever, through the gracious kindness of Secretary Loeb in making an appoint ment for later in the week. The Presi- dent doesn't seem to be greatly wor- ried over his delay in meeting me, You'd naturally suppose, wouldn't you, that the Chief Executive would be anx- ious to make the acquaintance of mem bers of Congress who belong to his own party? Yours affectionately.
 Kent Howard, M. c.