The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1907-01-24
A CONTEMPLATE PIECE OF
COWARDICE.


There recently occurred in thu
House of Representatives in Wash
ington a transaction which for rank,
contemplate political cowardice,
was the limit. Early in the session
a bill was introduced raising the
salaries of Senators and Representa-
tives from $4,000 to s., 500 year.
A roll call was had on the measure
and it was defeated by large
majority. A Congressman whose
political fnesse and knowledge of
mems weakness has made him a
great leader, devised a method
whereby the coverted increase could
be secured. 1t was tackled on to: an
appropriation bill in The form of an
amendment. Though clearly subject
to point Of order, because it was
new legislation, no member raised
the point of order. 1t was carried
s. to "a, not quorum, yet no one
raised the point of ''no quorum, y
A roll call was demanded-it .akes
one-6fth of those present to secure
a roll call-and nc: sufficient num-
Der arose anf roll call was denied.
So every member can claim he was
against the proposition and no one
can prove from the record to the
contrary. 1t was the most pitable
exhibition of political poltroonry
ever witnessed in a great legisla-
tive body.
1t is like man dressing himself
in women's clothes and going out
shoplifting. 1t reminds one of a
boy stealing cream out of the
pantry and laying it to the cat.
Republicans and democrats are alike
culpable for either could have Sc
cured q roll call.
We believe and have advocated,
in congress and out, that Senators
and Representatives should receive
$4,000 year and every form of
perquisites be cut off.
The country would be astounded
to know how many representatives
certify "that they pay 500 month
for clerical services" and put the
whole amount in their own pockets.
The difference between congress
mems homes and Washington as
given in their certified mileage &C
counts and the official survey is
amazing.
In 1902 the eth congressional
district was flooded with a four
page letter extolling the virtues of
certain candidate, winding up with
the statement II will soon send YOU
a govt publication which l trust
you will appreciate. The "pub
lication' never came, but the
clause made it an "official" letter
and saved the writer from paying
postage thereon.
Two.thirds of congressional and
senatorial campaigns are carried on
by government officials, paid by the
governhent to perform govern
mental Service. The United States
is permeated with petty legal graft
and under our peculiar salary system
every inducement is held out for
Misrepresentation and deceit.
The entire salary list of govern
mental officials should be revised.
A fiat salary should be paid in
every case. Where expenses are
paid a stated sum should be allowed
and no questions asked.
We are not opposed to an in
crease of congressional salaries, but
the congressman who will vote an
increase and than refuse to 90 on
record by an "Aye and No. vote is
not tit to represent any constituency.
The people have nothing can have
nothing but contempt for a legis-
lative body who strongly vote down
measure on roll-call, and pass
the same measure almost unani-
mously on cicf coce vote where
no record is made and such body
deserves nothing but contempt.