Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-08-23
WASHINGTON LETTER
WASHINGTON. d. {

WASHINGTON, D. C.
Bro. ALBERT: Under a head of
Shooting Stars" the local paper
prints the following:
1Ou seem to have very high re-
gard for your member of Congress. !"
YES. answered Farmer Corntassel.
"We think well of him. He amt
much of speaker an he don't have
many ideas. But he takes a fine
photograph"
The last issue of the REPORTER
proves cOncluslVely that candidate
Madden, of Ashland. starts out among
the people thoroughly equipped with
the farmers essential requirement,
He takes fine photograph. Although
the gentleman has not personally
canvaSSed me as yet, his liberal in
dOrSement where he is known and the
warm support of his friends is con-
vincing that he will surprise Mr..
CorntasSel with his ability to qualify
in the other features, if he comes to
Washington.
Voter, do you realize how thoroughly
and suddenly you have become IT? In
these piping days before election the
big bunch of candidates hold an elbow
on every rib and heel on every toe.
Bright, cheerful fellows every one.
You don't mind, therefore, the in
terruptiOns of. business to listen to
promises on the corner, at the front
gate, the front door, or at the meal
time. They find you in the barn yard
and discuss crops and rheumatism (all
the while thinking of vOtes). Jolly
souls with spicy story! They shake
glad hands, solicit support, and recite
their patriotism for political purity
and the plain people. They are not
''an importunate and hungry band,
begging for fayors." The candidate
likes to yisit-he does visit ''all
through" the district.
You ask for glimpses Of experiences
in Government service. Well, bear
these facts in mind: Plenty of can
dldateS become Out-Of-reach officials
very shortly after you vote into their
hands the coveted prize toga of honor
and power. The game changes when
you begin to exercise your rightful
prerOgative to request seeds, bulletins,
pensions, military records, maps,
minor appointments, or any other one
thing that the Government provides
for its people ard places to the order
of representatives your representa-
tive for Distributor. Mind you, also,
Uncle Sam pays your chosen agent
each year sc, 200 Isl, 200 supposed to 60
to a secretary or clerk, expecting that
these details shall have attention and
no proper interest be neglected.
Alas! The candidate informs you
he is now a legislator and not a
Department runner. He won't be
bothered now with barnyard yarns
He don't want to visit any mOre-nOt,
until next election.
But you know you are entitled to
hearing. With hopes alert you take
walk up to the halls Of Congress.
Upon reaching the door, there is an
instructive feeling that someone has
put ice on your trolley. This waiting
room is the coolest place in the city
for a constituent In summer. You
dodge the ice with a weak smile, and
swallow those extra apples il your
throat as you timidly send in your
card. mot in just now" returns the
messenger. Some day, if persistent,
you catch your friend and also full
view of the air of official disappoint-
ment at being obliged to let you ill.,.
Logically, the feeling is that some
where you must have dynamite bombs
concealed in your coat pockets, and
need watching and dignified dispatch.
Overwhelmed, one is nappy 10 SllOe
out into the fresh air and wonder. Is
that the same man met back home?
Like the story of the pies, It's and
faint.
Here is one of those frigid gentle
men, a candidate" that is now a
legislator. Listen to his talk on the
floor of the Senate:
Senator Hale. Well, Mr.. President, that
shows this feature is creeping; it is advanc-
ing and that is one of the infirmities we are
under as legislative body. We have a
favored class of officials in this country.
There is no Office created that there is not an
imporIunate demand to I'LL it. For every
office created it is safe to say that there are
dozens and scores OF applicants desiring to
get into the Government service. They de-
sire to get into the Government service be-
cause they are better of than they are out
side. They have regular employment; they