Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-29

ate hands back
VI the job to us. So
"Ihc senate hands what's every
buch the Job' bodys business
isn't anybody's, a fine scheme so long
as we have president who keeps his
hands off and doesn't
But how about the speeches and
the bills?" broke in Randolph. Il
thought
''Ies, yes; to be sure" the congress
man quickly added Nearly all of us
introduce these so called reform bills.
When they're printed at government
expense we send copies. carried free
by the postoffce department, to our
constituents. and when we allow the
bills to die in some committee we can
always blame the committee. But If
there's a big fight by our constituents
over the bill we let it pass the house.
but arrange to kill 1t in the senate
Then we do the same thing for the
senators. Like in every other business,
my boy" continued Norton as he led
the way into the house its case Of
y
politics. And don't let any one fool
you about the speeches either. They
are pretty things to mail to the voters,
but all the wise boys in Washington
know they aren't meant seriously It's
all play acting, and there are better
actors in the senate than Henry r.
wing or Edwin Booth ever were"
u toll g.,
things the way you do. Charlie"
''No? Well, maybe he doesn't now.
but he will later on when he takes his
seat in the senate. If he isn't wise
enough TO play around with the rest
OF the senators ne won't get any bills
passed, especially any bill carrying an
appropriation or Of any other particu-
lar importance"
What" calculated the planters son.
DO you mean to say that If father
won't do what the other senator's
want him to do they will combine
against him and destroy his useful
ness make him powerless-a failure: =
The congressman smiled patroniz-
ingy on the youth. "Why. of course
they will. That's politics, practical
politics, the only kind that's known in
Washington. You see
Put the leaders Of the great par
ties" cried the young plantation man.
ager in Amusement. why don't they
prevent this?"
Because they invented the system
and because political party differences
don't amount to a whole lot much Of
the time In Washington. The politi-
clans do most Of their criticising Of
the other party away from Washing
ton, where the voters can hear them.
But when circumstances sometimes
force man to rise to assai the other
side in congress he afterward apollo
gizes In secret for his words. Or
sometimes he apologies beforehand.
saying: I've got to hand out some hot
shot 10 you fellows just to please a
crowd Of sovereign voters from my
district who have come up to Wash
ington to see me perform. SO, Of
course, I've got to make n showing.
Don't mind what l say. You know I
don't mean 1t, but the old fogles will
70 back home and tell their neighbors
what a rip snortin' reformer I be-"
rs that the way you represent your
district Norton?" asked Planter Lang.
don, who at this juncture entered the
room.
"No, no. Mr.. Langdon-I should say
senator now, suppose. ] was merely
telling Randolph how some legislators
conduct themselves"
The senator elect paused momentari-
ly, gazing at the congressman. who.
dark visaged. tall black haired, broad
shoudered and athletic, was visibly
uneasy at having his conversation
with Randolph overheard by the IA.
Their.
mo doubt 1t won't be all plain sail
ing In Washington for an old fash
toned man like me. but believe In the
American people aud the men they
send to congress-" slowly spoke tho
planter. There's Senator Stevens. for
instance. He has always stood for the
rights Of the people. I've read all his
speeches. Just why he brought about
my election 1t is hard to tell. for I've
been a planter all my life except when
fought under Beauregnrd. feel
that he did 1t out Of friendship, and !
simply cant say how much ! appre-
ciate the honor. am indebted to you.
too, congressman"
Tactfully disclaiming any credit for
his work. only Norton's congressional
training in repression enabled him to
refrain from smiling at Langdon's In
nocence, his belief in Stevens sinceri-
ty and his wonder over his election.