The Greeley tribune., 1906-07-12
Little Lessons in Politics
By Independent Voter.

causes that led to the creation OF a
straight party voter when election
day came.
After the smoke has cleared away
and things have settled down to
everyday business again, perhaps
some months after, 1t Is discovered
that very weak sister has slipped
into office. He may be rascal, or
only an incompetent. but he is in,
and we can't fire him. Came in on
the winning ticket, you see, instead
of on his merits. A few years ago
Weld county elected an assessor on
the democratic ticket, at time
when no republican stood show.
;; 1t was all free silver then, and any.
thing went. He was weak sister.
Perfectly honest, and utterly in
competent. 1t took nearly four years
of hard work by his successor to get
matters in to decent shape. But
better an honest Official without
ability than rascal, no matter
how competent.
Members of the Legislature have
been elected, who had neither the
ability to decently represent their
county, nor the strength Of character
to resist bribery. These things are
all learned, but too late. A bit Of
thinking on the part Of the voters
before election and willingness to
vote for the man instead Of party
would remedy most OF the trouble.
No political party has a monopoly
of honesty. The rottenness Of
both the old parties was responsible
for the birth of the populist party
yet there we're leaders in the populist
party in Colorado who could give
the thieves OF the old parties
cards and spades and still take every
trick.
In the very nature Of things there
must always be two great parties.
1t should not be otherwise. No party
nor man nor corporation can be
trusted with too much power. But
the safety Of the country lies with
the independent voter. A
/ Tf voup RI v,,,tc nm tho rtnhf
sort of ticket and you know it's
right, from top to bottom, vote 1t:
but don't hesitate to scratch any
name on it. If you believe the otner
fellows have the best man.
The office of representative to the
state legislature is in some ways the
most peculiar one in the gift Of the
people.
The actual working term Is but
ninety days, and the pay is SO small
and the accompanying expense so
large that no competent honest man
can accept it unless he be either
pretty we'll fixed financially and
takes it for honor and fun alone, or he
must be particularly interested in
lawmaking and willing to spend his
time for the experience to be gained
therein. This is the real reason for
our many poor laws, and the lack Of
real = beneficial legislation. Few
honest, competent men of modest
means can afford to be representa-
tives, and few who could afford the
time and outlay are willing to put
aside private business affairs for
three month and devote their time
for the. good of the state.
A state representative gets $500
dollars day for his time during
the session. Not to exceed 80 days
or $500 for the session. His term
OF Office one session only. For this
sum he must practically give up his
private business for three months,
and 60 down to the capital. AS a
legislator he has certain appearances
to keep up. He can't eat at a 25-
cent restaurant nor live at a cheap
lodging house. He must do in Rome
as the Romans do and have the best.
Thus his s7.00 day will barely
pay his expenses, without undue
extravaganza. His election will
have cost him $500 at least, for nec-
essary expenses, so II he has been
strictly honest and square. he will
come home at the end of the session
just as poor as he went down. Ask
Max Clark, or Harry Watson, or
any other ex-representative that you
have confidence in, If this isn't
gospel truth.
But the chances to make money
by graft, by crooked deals, and out
right bribe-taking in the legisla-
ture are many and excellent.
II postmaster goes crooked, an