The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-17
CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS.
Csllsquy h Ne senate, Thsae. "Tsrn
About 10 Fale Play"

To n EDITOR OF ~ SrE-Sr: On
scanning recently that compendium Of
Wit and humor the Congressional Rcc-
ord I noticed the following example
Of high ethics and patriotism. The sen
ate was discussing . bill relating TO
publications Of land office
notices IS. io62). This provided that
land ONCE notices must be published IN
the nearest newspaper to the land IN
question. The question Immediately De-
fore the Senate was whether the appii-
cant can choose the Newspaper to pub
lish his notice or whether h register.
an appointed o~ficial, shall select the
newspaper. the applicant having to pay
the cost Of the advertisement OF the
newspaper selected. An einsndmsnt
was suggested that the applicant can
do the choosing. thereby creating COM
petition among the neWspapefs.
Mr. Myers. Dsmscretic senator from
Montana. has the floor: No President,
I hope that amendment will not b
adopted. I 10 not think II 10 fair or
wise. I can see the OBJECT and the
working Of II. Of course. instantly. Az
] understand. from March. 1893. until
March. 1897. during the second adminis-
tration Of President Cleveland. that Wal
the practice-to allow an entryman to
designate which n Of two papers
equally near 70 tu0 lAnu buVu'u puos'o"
his final proof notice. II IL my UNDER
standing, however, that for sixteen
years, from March. 1897. to March.
1918. such was not the practice: that
during all those sixteen years the
register was authorized to designate
the newspaper. and where two news
papers OF general circulation were
equally near to the land ths Republican
newspaper vas invariably DESIGNATED by
the registers. who were then. Of course.
all Republicans. Now that the Demo-
Gratis have come into power think
the same rule should prevail. The
Senator from New Mexico asks what
reasonable objection there could be 10
this amendment. offer this obtec-
ton Turn about Ia fair play The
Republican newspapers under Republic
car, registers for sixteen years. from
March. 1897. to March. 1918. had these
publications. where Republican and
Democratic newspapers were equally
near TO the land. Now ! say. let those
who are In power have the advantage
Of the same practice. The Republicans
made the rule now let them take their
own medicine without complaining"
Mr. sutherland: MIR. President. at any
rate. the opposition of the Senator from
Montana to the. amendment proposed b.
NV o'uaNVI " y" ~
upon his desire to build up the business
OF Democratic newspaper. Am ! correct
about that"
Mr. Myers; 1T IL based upon the motto
that Turn about Is fair play"
Mr.. sutherland: NJ question IL whether
or not the opposition OF the Senator from
Montana to the amendment proposed BY
the senator from New Mexico Is not based
upon the desire Of the senator from Mon.
tan~ TO build up the business OF the Demo-
cratic n.wspapers IN the waatT"
Mr.. Myers: "Tnhesitating,y. yes. air.
When tho Democrats arc In power I be.
'iev~ In Letting the Democrats have the
offices. the BENEFITS and tho new spaper
publications. II ] did not believe that ]
would not he much Of . Democrat"
Mr.. sutherland: That is precisely what
I thought: and I admire the senators
csndor. n. least
This shows the remarkable idea OF
public service and Justice with which. I
suppose. We have to compete. The de-
bate took place on January ~, and II
reported in the Congregational Record on
page lo:s. Vol. ILL.,, No. 16.
d. A. WILCOX.
NEW YosK. February 10.