The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-12-27
AS Usual the Panama Canal
Constitutes Available Basis.
for Demands"
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
WANTS Representation

Should Congressman be Compelled to
Attend the Daily Sessions Of the
House and Senatef This is Another
Ever Recurring Question-One Cent
Letter Rate Should Pass.
Associated Press to The Evening Times.
Washington, Dec. 27.-The PROPOSE
ton of Representative De Almond of
Missouri that convention be held to
consider amendments to the Consti-
tuition Is attracting considerable atten-
ton, particularly as 1t comes from a
Democrat. The loudest "holler" has
come from the Democrats that the Con-
stitution was being ignored, and that
the traditions of Jefferson, ct al,
should be preserved.
Another innovation Is proposed by
Representative Crumpacker of Indiana
that appeals should be allowed from
fraud orders" imposed by the Post
Office Department. Although 1t is ac-
knowledged that more fraud orders
should be issued, instead of less, there
is some resentment that the depart
ment should be the court Of last resort.
As the men selected for the positions
of inspectors and detectives to run
down evidences of fraud are close
friends Of the appointing power there
is ample opportunity for monkey
business" of a particularly vicious
sort.
Who is Congressman Mckinley of
Ohio? Has ne "bee in his bonnet?"
An elaborate banquet was given last
week by the gentleman from Ohio, ani
the comments lead one to suppose that
there is a new candidate in the field
for higher honors. The fetica of
name is of some consequence in Wash
ington, and the connection of famous
name with any enterprise assures its
success in many instances.
1t is time to laugh when reference
is made in the dispatches of the efforts
of the state of South Carolina" to
procure labor in the old world to "run
her factories" Any business man
knows that the state does not pay very
much attention to the private affairs
of the people. If you imagine that
some enterprising labor agency has
conected with the powers that be in
the state to give percentage OF the
profits for the pretense of state i'm
portation of labor, to be turned over
to private corporations, and thereby
avoid the disagreable encounter with
the Federal Government incident to
importing contract labor, you will see
through the game. And this in the
year nineteen hundred and six. All
Washington is laughing at the smooth
game.
Should Congressman be compelled to
attend the daily sessions of the house
and senate? This question is ever
recurring, and probably will be like
the poor, always with us. In the first
place, the system builded by past leg
islators is conducive to rapid, clean
legislation, which Is whipped into
shape by the various committees.
Practically nothing said on the floor
affects the actions of the legislators,
for no matter how bitterly a matter
is attacked it goes through according
to the original plans. Another thing,
those members of Congress who are
so fond of silver-tongued speeches
are not, as rule on important COM
mittees ;at least : Vt at their head.
A flip-tongued indivi tual is not usually
q deep thinker, and the result is that
It is the man who seldom appears in
the Congressional Record that shapes
the pending legislation.
Third Assistant Postmaster General
Madden's proposition for one-cent
letter. rate for local delivery should
mass. The main principles of postal
delivery are now in working shape,
and unless some new matter is taken
up the department could run itself. In
fact, that condition exists in all the
departments to large extent. Cleri-
cal nonentities are not allowed to de-
yiate from the set rules and prac-
tices builded for years by political
management. Many of these methods
are entirely unnecessary and expensive,
but the luea pTeVdHS IiAat "Aot "e@o
must be-.
The yearly onslaught on Congress
to give the District of Columbia re-
presentation in Congress is at Its
height again. The Government Is by
three commissioners, two appointed by
the President from civil life and one
detailed from the Corps of Engineers
of the army. Apparently the system
is working smoothly and with less
kicking over the manner the govern
ment is managed that is manifested in
many self-governed towns. Residents
get q respectful hearing on any sub
ject, and If there Is a respectable
showing of complaints the remedy Is
applied. The police system Is excel
lent, and on the whole the city Is
model that could be patterned after
with desirable results.
In view of a revival of Jefferson
ianism a quotation from his message
to Congress in 1906 Is interesting. Con
corning surplus in the treasury a
that time he said: Patriotism wouit
certainly prefer its continuation (tar
in) and application to the great pur