New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-05
FACING THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

Political news from Rochester is of a charac-
ter which suggests that there may still be q held
for the old time methods of craftsmanship which
involved the discussion with the people of pub
lie questions by the representatives OF the peo-
pie We have got pretty well away from that
habit and members OF the legislature COM
monty vote as they think their constituents de-
mand without daring 10 run counter 10 supposed
local sentiment, or else regardless of sentiment,
vote as their organization commands, trusting
to the organization greater than the people.
The sight of a legislator frankly going among
the people TO explain to them intelligent
beings his reasons for not agreeing with them
on a policy is rare enough TO attract attention.
The Rochester papers a few days ago re-
ported the organization of body of citizens in
opposition to the Mortgage Tax law which was
passed last year with the support Of the Monroe
County Senator'S How strong that movement
is we do not know. but if the real estate inter
ests are as powerful there as IN other cities of
the State we might expect that such a move
ment would induce silence on the part of the
city's representatives at Albany. if it did not
succeed in converting them TO the local view of
the taxation problem. But that not the
effect upon Senator's Lewis and Armstrong.
They at once wrote TO the secretary of. the
Rochester Chamber of Commerce letter in
which they said:
We are confident that the arguments in favor
of the continuance of the law upon the statute
books have never been fully and fairly pre-
scented the people of Rochester, and that the
agitation in favor of the repeal or amendment of
the law is being carried on largely by those who
have personal interests TO serve.
Under these circumstances beg to suggest
that opportunity he afforded at fut-
present and present the arguments in favor OF
the law and its continuance upon the statute
books.
The Senators may he mistaken in their views
On the abstract question we differ from them :;
though. we have frequently said, we doubt
the possibility of securing a more satisfactory
law in the present state of popular education
on the subject of taxation and think 1t possible
that present attempts at modification might re-
suit in a worse law. The interesting point is
that, right or wrong. they are not afraid to
stand up for their views and treat their con-
Sttuents as intelligent men. instead of acting on
the theory that in legislating the way 10 treat
community is to trim TO its prejudlces.
That is something which few legislators will
learn, and year after year they see measures
which every we'll informed man knows are wise
put aside because of real supposed popular
prejudice against them. Take the much discussed
question of federal salaries Everybody knows
that with the increasing cost of living and the
Calls upon hlgh OFFICIALS Inc salaries or United
States judges, for example, inadequate. If
Congressman followed their convictions they
would correct the evil Instantly; but they are
afraid to 90 home to their constituents, to whom
the average judicial salary may seem fortune
TO face prejudice and overcome 1t by Intelligent
argument. We do not believe there is farming
community in the country which would not
listen 10 a frank appeal to its common sense by
a man whom IT respected. great many of the
faults of our government due to the failure
of politicians squarely TO face issues as
the Rochester Senators are doing. Silence, in
direction. running before the storm, take the
place of a square stand for conviction, and the
result IS that voters live a prey to their own
prejudices and misunderstanding, while legis-
lators are at one moment ignorant of real public
conviction and at another bow to passing squalls
Of public feeling