United labor bulletin. (Denver, Colo.) 19??-1915, 1910-04-08

esentatives, and they have been asked
he proposed legislation.
| The replies of the representatives and
senators are given below, and it is inter
esting to note the difference between the
replies of the senators and representa-
tives. The question naturally arises at
first thought whether the interest mani
tested by the representatives, is because
they are elected by the people direct;
and whether the short, conventional
notes from the senators is because they
are not answerable to the people directly,
being elected by the state legislature.
The letters in question were addressed
to our senators and representatives in
Washington in February, and the replies
1 were prompt. The Denver Allied Print
ing Trades Council has just given their
secretary, j. A. Conkle, permission to
publish these letters, and they will prove
of interest to all students OF economy in
national affairs, well as giving a rea-
son why United States senator's should
be elected by the people direct and not
by the legislature.
Representative John A. Martin. that
splendid specimen of manhood and de-
fender of the rights of the common
people, who is now in the imelight at
Washington, fighting the United States
attorney-general and the sugar trust and
their policy in the Philippines, and who
is one of the foremost insurgents in the
house of representatives, replies to the
letter from the Printing Trades Council
as follows:
.'Mr. j. A Conkle, SecretaryATreasurer
Denver Allied Printing Trades Council.
Denver. Colo.
Dear Sir:-I am getting good many
letters with reference 10 the proposed in
crease in the rates of postage on second
class mail matter and am replying that
SO far as I am informed at the present
time. 1 am opposed TO the proposed In
crease. There is a very general belief
that a large part of the deficit in the
postoffice department is due to leakages
in favor of the railroad and express COM
panies. l am not in favor OF supplying
these leakages by increasing rates, for
just as certain as the deficit In the de-
partmeut is wiped out by increased rates,
old abuses will be permitted TO continue.
Let them reform the present methods OF
doing business as far as possible. after
which it will be time to consider an in
crease Of rates. Very truly yours,
JOHN A. MARTIN
Representative-at-Larg Edward T. Tay-
lor discusses the subject literally. and
does not try to disguise his position in
regard to the legislation proposed by the
president. and clearly defines the senti.
ment in the national capital on the in
| creased rate of postage on magazines in
the postoffice department. His letter fol-
lows:
MIR ]. A. Conkle, Secretary Denver AL
lied Printing Trades Council. Box 1447,
Denver, Colorado.
MY Dear Sir:-I was pleased to re-
oeive your favor of the 10th inst. advis-
ing me of the action of your Council In
opposition to the proposed increase in
postage on magazines and periodicals.
Il assure you that am heartily in acs
cord with your sentiments upon this SUBJ
ject. and il will be a pleasure for me to
carry out your wishes to the utmost OF
my ability.
Il feel that if there is shortage In
the postoftice department or postal
deficit that must be made up, that the
president is starting at the wrong end Of
the proposition l am unalterably op-
posed to imposing any hardship or Inn
pediment in the way of the spread Of
knowledge to the public in general. and
l am confident that the presidents rec
ommendation Will not and cannot be car
ried out by this Congress In fact, be-
fore you receive this letter | think you
will observe that the powers-that-be here
have seen the handwriting on the wall
and backed up on that proposition.
Thanking you for calling my attention
! to the matter. and trusting that your
Council will at all times feel free TO call
upon me whenever can be of service to
you collectively or individually. remain
Yours very respectfully
EDWARD r. TAYLOR