New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-22
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
THE WORK OF CONGRESS.
A Washington OnloOker Frees His Mind.


To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Now that Senators and Congressman are
back their states. there is probably good deal
of explanation being made to constituents as to
what was accomplished and what was left undone
during the last session and they doubtless
learning that any criticism they are meeting with
is based chiefly on measures that failed of enact
ment rather than on any that were passed. Little
objection is likely to be made to any of the new
laws unless it he TO the amount of money carried
by the appropriation bills and even their huge and
unprecedented totals do not seem to disturb the
country, for IL realizes that it has grown up to
the billion dollar standard. Doubtless some Of the
important measures which failed will come up
again at the next session and gat through
When il comes to comparatively minor matters
a brief statement, without comment by way of
contrast of some of the things Congress did and
did not do viii be interesting. It did increase its
own salaries 80 per cent and provide additional
mo- ey to complete and furnish for itself to be
used free of cost, marble palaces more expensive
8nd luxurious than those Of ernperors and kings
II did it said il would do If the salary
increase passed. reduce is mileage Of 20 cents
mile which gives each member an average Of
about $500 additional income II did insist on Civ
ing away S25oGee worth Of seeds which the farmers
organizations and agricultural societies said were
neither desired useful.
1t did just at the end Of the session without dis
cussinn or consideration scatter money in this
fashion For monument 10 Christopher Column
bus al Washington. 100000. Who called for that
and who vents IL The streets are blocked with
commonplace statues now. For statue to Com
moaOre John b. Sloat. at Monterey, cal, $1,000
Who was he2 How many can tell what he did TO
deserve 1t? For pedestal Tor statue At Wash
ineton in honor Of r. f. Stephenson. founder of
The Grand Army of the Republic $4,000; for a
monument AZ New Orleans 10 the soldiers who
Ioueht mere undeT Andrew Jackson, $zo9" tor a
I1ohuhlenl on IIppecanoe battle-ground SlZSo-
These all on one day, and II wasn't a particularly
good cay for monumen ts. either.
That certainly doesn't look though the United
States was hard up money In the least
gress felt it couldn't in justice 10 itself ana the
country afford to do.
average under $1,000. and who have had in
crease IN thirty wears although increased cost Of
living made i necessary 10 raise its own Compen-
sation from SLIGO a month for time actually en-
On which II allows no interest res "o rb 'i t 6R
courts found due 10 hundreds OF citizens who have
deferred, many Of them poor and feeble. and whose
property was taken from them and used by the
them on saving they would be paid this time II
polite
done in Congress fRaPe are % good many Sny t thss
which IT seems desirable 10 change The House
wieldy and Incompetent to transact It's own bust
ness Consequently u has been compelled TO abdi-
cate its own power and place IL IN the hands Of
che man who. through his control of committee
Every one knows that anything the Speaker is for
goes. and anything he is against isn't worth talk
dred, membership In it would be highly val
ued ana would att.act superior men. and Il would
ne able with full freedom Of debate. direct its
own legislation IT should in any event elect it's
own committees and the Speaker should be simply
presiding officer. exercises individual arbi-
tfary control but using such special mower
nnuence as IS incidental 10 tho position, strictly I'm
understood that the Congress would have enacted
the currency measure whi-h received the universal
approval Of banking and business men from all
sections, after long discussion. and which would
tries in the fexibiitv and security OF ON system
had not the Speaker, not protesting 10 he an OK
pert sad no. is there other man power
IN the world Ike that2 Ought any ona man ~
what becomes Of government by the ma lOrtv2
There is another thing which hammered Vvhicf,
does not seem fair Take the Ship Subsidy bin as
an Illustration. without any reference to whether
II was Wise or urTise. II passed the Senate after
proIacted debate 0 the House VIII n
was discussed and finally passed with amendments
but was sent back TO the Senate late I'm he
slon-and the Speaker Is gwen credit for that
that the opposition which lad had its fun day in
court and been fairly beaten to tall
measure that has received the sanction of both
houses 10 be killed IN such a Way. frustrating: The
VIII cf the majority by mere physical obstruction
Another illustration Of 2 little differ Is
II went to the Senate. a majority Of which s-as
known to be in its favor, but II happened that
q majority Of one or two Of the commute to
which IL was sent We're opposed 10 II, and
be possible for one or two lufy and
thwaTt the will of both houses in such a way and
it is especially % be amented in this particular
instance.
which Congress always has hand for various
institutions, there appears to he opportunity
for IL TO begin with itself LOCKER ON.
Washington, March 10. 1901