The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-08-17
WHERE ECONOMY BEcKoNs.

Mr.. John r. Stoll. who publishes
The Editorial. a weekly compendium
pr the best thought of the American
press. believes that II we oontem-
plate large expenditures for an "ade-
puate army and navy" there should
be some retrenchment on the part OF
he government. lie II right The
Democratic party has been scandal
onsly sxtravagant In Its disposition Of
The peoples money. This party that
went into power pledged to the
Ftrictest economy has left a record
or prodigality that Il would be hard
20 exceed by the most profligately In
clined. Economy and provident
methods are being constantly urged
upon the people. and The Intelli-
Eencer sees no reason why the same
warning may not apply 10 govern.
ment expenditures - expenses that
the people have to pay for. Efficiency
II the cry heard all over the land. and
u IL being applied in every instance
except that OF the government OF the
country. on this point Mr.. stoll ex-
presses himself intelligently and
appealing when he says
In the most drastic manner inaRina-
nte We are having held up to our vision
the effectiveness and tremendous adVan-
tAfe Of efficiency. To every member OF
cynsress We are annually paying 1880
and mileage 10 do a certain Kind Of work
~ Washington. We are worse than fool
isn ana sturid " We send 90 the nation
~ capital individuals whose sole claim
~ public preferment ~ that he H. foxy
LAWYER n clever fellow. n good mixer or
popular fraternslist There is no OBJ
lection 20 man seeking a seat IN con-
gross possessing any or ali OF these
qualities. but he must first have demon
s.sntsa "a one way o. another that he H.
ieEislattvc ana constructive capacity.
nc must have more than qualifications.
e mus nave aggresslve inclination to
90 what may be needed truly TO promote
the general welfare n IL important that
a beginning in this direction be made at
he next election. Foundation must be
laid for a congress that in 1920 or Isaf
. VIII feel lmpclled 90 reduce the mem
bership OF the house of representatives
20 mat II may become again a rcpresen-
tative body. such procedure h. not
without precedent ~ was done In 1S4O
Nhen under the aprortionment % 1880
the memher-hip was reduced from 2aa
Il % 252 and stin later fixed at e37 In
There is no definite advantage that
we can see In having numbers in.
stead of quality. II we keep on
Increasing the number OF the House
OF Representatives with each sue
ceedins census we shall have 10 build
. q new capital to house them A
reduction would work no harm. be.
cause in the court OF last resort. the
Senate. all States are equally repre-
sented. The last Increase OF the
membership of the House OF Repre-
sentatives was foolishly done to ac-
commodate and oblige the Hon.
Champ Clark. in this. that unless the
membership OF the house be in
creased the number OF representa-
tives from Missouri would have to be
. reduced. Such reduction would have
neeessitated a re-apportionment OF
that State. Under the law such re-
apportionment would have been made
BY the State officers. a majority OF
. whom then happened 70 be Republi.
cans. To avoid such a calamity"
Champ got busy and had the appor-
tiOnment Of 1910 fixed at near 40.
II was a great achievement for the
distinguished Speaker. but IL was a
distinct abrogation Of the profess
sions Of the Democratic party IN be-
half Of economy and the conserva-
ton Of the country's revenues. With
regard TO this subject Mr.. stoll adds
some thoughtful suggestions which
are appended:
. Nothing more conducive 90 the pub
NC good could happen than u Ali noe
| uNcal parties seeking popular suprorf
would next year Incorporate into .fhafr
pmtfnrmH dec larafipus demanding Iarva
REDUCTION fn governmental eNrendIf urga
ana n ouc-fuurfh reduction In tho Nom
hcrship NJ tlo huusc after the taking 81
the census ~ 1890 These reforms w0uff
prove or inrairulHhle benefit d. fTa
country Tar more sO than any 81 ffn
n0etrums usually prescribed ty derna-
FofueF WIZ never tire 0f derrurHfrnfIrr
bow unfOrt innate no was that ffa fr.r.f.
ere ~ the American Republic Insisted
On the establish menf ~ H stable rarrr.
tentative government Instead ~ n CON
federncV dependent upon popular |rl.
puire ana ever subject TO- emotional a..
fusion.