Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1914-07-16
Dstghtsa N Tho Milags Question.

From the Congressional Record,
OF recent date, we take this tell
{ iag little speech delivered by the
Hon. R. L. Doughton on the floor
Of congress on the much discuss
ed milage rate for members. MFR.
Doughton said: "Mr. Speaker.
/ shall cheerfully support the
amendment offered by thegentle-
man from Indiana (Mr. Cox to
reduce the amount allowed for
mileage from 20 to. 10 cents per
mile. Thisquestioh arises ateach
session Of Congress, "nly to arise
again at the neyt session. There
must be some fundafnental treason
for it's coming up at each session.
In my judgement the agitation
will continue until it is settled
right asall matters should be.
1.-THE reason I support the
amendment OF the gentleman
from Indiana is because expert
ence has taught me again and a.
gain that it is impossible to get
it reduced below that amount.
'The gentleman from Oklaho-
ma (Mr. Murry) and the gentle
man from Washington (Humph-
rey) 60 out of their way to read
&moral lecture to the member
ship of this House, and say that
q man who does not bring his
family hereis unworthy to be a
Member Of this body. They init
mate that that is the only way
he can be kept in the path ofmor-
al rectitude. That isnone OF their
concern. Isay, without fear of
Successful contradiction, that a
man who must be keptin the sha-
dow Of his family to keep his life
circumspect and who otherwise
wanderfrom the path Of ofrctitude,
Is unworthy to be a Member Of
this body. II that is all that re-
strains him from walking in the
lath OF vice and evil, he will go
There regardless OF his surround
ings. ~ 3~- :
"The gentleman from Washing
ton takes advantage of this, as
of every other occasion to criti-
else the President of the United
States, and speaks Of us being
kept here by White House domi-
Aation, but the shafts OF the gen.
fleman from Washington fall
harmlessly at thefeetof the Pres
ident. The President of the Unit
ed States has not used any arbi-
trary means on this Congress.
True, he has constantly reminded
ed Congress OF it's duty and pledg-
es made to the people, and has,
with courage and patriotism,
pointed out the lines he would
have us follow, but he has made
no arbitrary demands and has
welded no big stick. In spite OF
ell the criticism, deeds done, re-
suits accomplished, and things
performed, justify his action.
"Now, Mr.. Speaker, / had rath-
Rr pay my own way to Washing
ton and receive not one cent of
mileage than to be constantly &C.
cused of taking money out of the
Public Treasury, to which / am
notentitled. / do not say that
it is graft; in factit isnot, aslong
as sanctioned by law, but it is
wrong, and should therefore be
nreduced. Twenty cents per mile
was based on the old stagecoach
mode OF travelling, and there is no
justification forit under the mod
ern methods.
II do not charge those who fa-
vor the present rate with being
grafters, neither have they the
right to accuse those of US who
ndesire to reduce the rate with be-
ing demagogues, but l do believe
that it is an evil that has existed
far too long and that we should
now avail ourselves of the pres
ent opportunity of fixing the a.
mount where it will be both lust
to the Governmentand ourselves,
and thereby put an end to the
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