The Washington herald., 1914-08-30
PoIiticaI Situation.

IOIllCdl DlbuAgIOHs
A monkey wrench has been thrown into the cog
wheel of the political machine.
Both unexpected and embarrassing was the action
Of the House IN directing the Sergeant-at-arms OF
the House to withhold the pay of sbsentees IL was
a coincidence-and nothing more, of eourse-that
the resolution was passed after primaries had been
held in ali the solidiy Democratic States, where a
nomination is equivalent to an election During
next month, however primaries are to be held in
Delaware New Hampshire, New Jersey, Utah, Idaho,
Nevada, New Mexico, Wisconsin Colorado. Wash
ington, Maryland Illinois, New York, and Massa-
chusetts, and the Congressman from these States,
who had looked forward to spending some time in
their districts will now indulge in the pleasant occu-
patton of seeking reelection at cost OF S1o56 per
day Some of them will unquestionably, sacrifice
their salaries but most of them viii remain here.
drawing their pay and posing slaves to duty.
Since the resolution was passed the absentees have
been returning on every train. Representative A.
Mitchell Palmer of Pennsylvania, Democratic nom-
nee for United States Senator, has abandoned his
campaign, temporarily at least and now answers
to his name, when the roll is called Representative
Willis, Republican nominee for governor in Ohio,
has also returned to Washington Representative
Murdoch Progressive candidate for Senator in Kan
sas is on his way 70 the Capital The blanket of the
twenty-ffty-sx covers Democrats, Republicans, and
Progressives alike. 49, !.
70, There are some things about the situation in the
House which are worthy of notice In the first place
it is rather sad commentary on devotion to public
duty that in order to maintain majority in a body
where the Democrats have two-thirds of the mem
bership it is necessary to compel attendance by
drastic measures. The second point is that public
attention has been called to the fact that law which
has been upon the statute books for more than
quarter of century has been ignored and violated
by the very men who intrusted with the grave
responsibility of making laws This is not pleas
ing spectacle. There has been much said upon the
floor of the House in condemnation of trusts and
corporations for alleged violation of law and
proposition now before the Senate proposes to jail
the officials of these organizations for misconduct.
Perhaps therefore, a suggestion to imprison Con-
gressional violators of law might not be out of
place. 1t would be interesting to see how many
Senators and Representatives would vote to take a
dose of their own medicine As matter of fact,
this loss-of-salary law which was framed to govern
the conduct of Senators and Representatives ought
either to be honestly enforced else repealed
1t certainly ought to be amended AS it now
reads it allows excuse of absenteeism except
sickness Under its literal Interpretation, members
VINO are appointed by the PRESIDENT upon interna-
tional commissions, or who leave Washington to
officially investigate coal strikes other matters, or
who are excused from attendance for legitimate rea
sons, draw their pay Representative Prouty,
of Iowa, would these defects by an appropriate
amendment, which may or may not be passed. In
the meantime stated in the beginning the members
whose primaries approaching in a quandary.
They want to go home. If they stay here they may
experience the sad fate of Senator Bristow, of
Kansas. He was urged to make personal cam
paign, but preferred to stay in Washington and let
MS friends take care of him He was defeated. If
they go home they are not only charged with being
absentees, but they lose their salary besides.