The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1910-07-22

rasu1t1 that have been attained LOT
Idaho" declared Karl Dixon, secre-
tarr t. Representative Thomas H.
Hamer. who with his wife stopped III
pocatello Saturday and Sunday on MS
wa, TO St Anthony from washington
at was q long siege, but especially
worth while to our state.
"Thos, who can speak authorlta-
tiye.y say that a legislative RECORD
was made during this session which
is unequalled in previous history.
That is certainly true as far as the
benefits accruing to Idaho are con-
cerned And that legislation did not
happen; it was accomplished. hao
an exceptionally good opportunity TO
watch the struggle at close range ana
can in fairness, if for no other rea-
son, attribute much of it to the per-
sistenca and influence of Colonel
Hamer.
lone of the features of my ex-
perience in Washington which i'm
pressed me most forcibly was the
coIonePs standing among his fellow
members of the house and with the
administration. Friendship counts
to an almost untold degree in getting
things in congress, and he possesses
very noticeable advantage in that d.
rection. Among his most dependable
allies are men whom he has known
from childhood and with whom he
has been upon intimate terms for
many years, Some were close to his
father in years gone by Others ne
has acquired by his election to the
House. In all of my seven months
stay at the national capital ! did not
meet single member, Republican
regular or insurrecto, or Democrat,
who did not express an enthusiastic
admiration for him. l could enum-
crate off-hand a score or more who
have filled the breach when the en-
actment of certain bills which the
colonel had introduced or in which he
was interested was in the balance.
Just before President Taft left
Washington after the adjournment OF
congress, Colonel Hamer called at the
White House to bid formal good.
bye. A large number OF representa-
/ tiyes and senators were present upon
tho same mission, and before all oil
the rest of them, many of whom were
there to enlist at least the chief ex
. ecutive's moral support in behalf Of
, their reelection, he stepped up tt
Colonel Hamer and selling his hant
in both of his said, 'Hamer, If there
is one man more than any other tina
l want to see returned to congress, i
is yourself
I'm the light of such a condition, i
is easier to understand the success
that has crowded the colone's efforts
to secure the passage of Legislation
important and beneficial to Idaho
But friendship has not been the soil
factor. Hard work is one of the dis
tinguishing characteristics of hi
brief term. Stubborn Ignorance ant
bitter prejudice were invariably en-
/: countered whenever a western meas
uro was introduced. The eastern
. hold the notion that the west was try
: ing to get something to which 1t wa
I not entitled or which was moro thai
o its just share, and opposition to a sur
3 prisingly large degree was based upol
that premises. That meant unceas
:. ing labor and the colonel was equa
to the demand upon him. l do no
0 believe that one night passed durin
u which the midnight oil did not burn.
And lawmaking is but one of tn
; duties of a congressman. Depart
mental matters called for at least on
half of his time. The colonel be
came a familiar figure in the office o
the secretary of practically every de
partment. He was an especially FIRE
quent visitor at the post Office and in
: terror departments, and he usual
got what he sought. The affairs @
over 700 post Offices is but one item
Land matters of every description
were referred, to him. The CORE
I spondence in the colOnel's Office aver
aged $50 letters a day throughout tn
session. and in order to give eac
|. prompt attention he was compelled t
employ, in addition to myself, tw
Z stenographers, and at times two an
!. three extra clerks, whose salary h
personally paid.
Q I'm the opinion of many member
with whom l have talked. Colont
Hamer has attained greater eminenC