Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-08-02

asked the dealer IL ne thought oysters
on the half shell were healthy. What
did he say? That he never knew
one to complain.
Food for reflection and examine,
Be an oyster. Don't complain. What's
the use? The Government clerk
knows its no use. Real working ..in-
fiuence'' is the only soothing balm
down here. Let's get that fact firmly
fixed. "If Everybody told the exact
truth, said Uncle Eben, ssdar
wouldn't be enough people on speakin'
terms TO make any conversation what
ever" And if many faithful, efficient
Department workers in Washington
would relate their exact experiences
connected with this square deal''
business in The service, they would
promptly require the active support
they ought TO have from party friends
ct home or there wouldn't be any
faithful clerks left to testify at the
next experience meeting. One OF
the other. For several weeks since
these columns were opened to me.
have considered requests to recite the
practical lessons learned in this al.
Turing game of chance called civil
service" Perhaps, as confidence
| grows apace, few ringing truths
from the primer sufficient TO startle
nation merely as general edificatior
| for friends whom it may interest)
will be supplied. The question is
what's to be gained? Readers woulc
not believe l meant it, and the politi
clans might. Change of climate fol
me about then. Anyhow, we will Ok
the best we can, considering the
handicap to touch some points not ir
the daily papers.
The first session of the Fifty-nintt
Congress adjourned several days ago
Daily and weekly papers kept vol
fully Informed of its great strides dur
ing the long seven months it lasted
The Washington Star, local evening
newspaper, closed with the leisurely
member of Congress by ascribing tt
| him the remark that he no doubt will
| appreciate his vacation a great deal
because it's something of a relief tC
know that one can do nothing for a
while in private instead of an Official
capacity" The same paper printed
refutation for constituents who think
that the man they send to Congress
lives life of ease IN the capital: ''Ius
high collar every day of his life
stiffenin' in the everyday shirt bosom
and suspenders the whole week
through! Martyrdoni that's what il
is"
Levity aside, the last Congress hold.
the medal for the greatest number OF
words spoken in debate; as many
bills were presented as in three pre-
ceding Congresses; more new topics o.
vital Importance to the whole country
were handled than in any previous
Congress. 1t was a wonderful session
of great works, and it stands before
the country with a record of wise
legislation never before equaled mol
soon to be surpassed. There Wa!
some fun, but more arduOuS service
| remember one week dozen Cong
ressmen were arrested at the bal
game by the Sergeant-at-armS anC
hustled to the House to make quo
rum. A little later they were hold
ing sessions until midnight in order
to adjourn before winter came, anC
those Of US employed on the Congress
sional Record worked many hour.
over time to keep up with the pace
That was session of Congress worth
while.
1t is matter of common obServa
tion to those who frequent the gal
lerieS in the Senate or House O
Representatives when national legis
lators are convened, that new mem
berS are more seen than heard. Yer,
few first termers" have the qualifica
tions and preparation to raise allow
the practice. This reserve, incapacity
or lack Of confidence in new surround
ings-whatever you choose to call it
appears with such regularity that i
has almost assumed the dignity Of ar
unwritten law. In fact, 1t seems II
| require several sessions to get tht
average good man hearing, prompt
recognition, and commanding atten
tion in the arena of debate. NAM
in the House, of course, never reach
any prominence outside their home
districts; but in the Senate hall
surrounds every head in due time.
With the first Geographic informa
tion last fall of the transfer Of Gov
LaFellette to Washington, the lead
ing evening paper here, in a short
editorial, announced that the State o.
Wisconsin was now to be represented
in the United States Senate by TIVE
giants in the art of government in
stead Of one.
1t is but just to give credit where
credit is due. And 1 offer no apology
| for venturing brief comment, concern
ing distinguished public men, because
the great voice of popular approval OF
disapproval in this land is but an az
gregate expression of the everyday
individuals in the mass. The country
lives, after all, upon what the ordinary
citizen has to offer.
Based upon repeated visits to the
Senate for whole afternoons; by what
I could see; by personal study and
com ma riS0n of the bip men gathered