The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-03-01
RECORD IS WORST
OF POLITICIANS
Opponents Always Dig Up All
Past Performances.
NONE HAS CLEAN SLATE.
Impossible For a Man Of Presidential
CaIiber to Support Every "Ism' That
Comes Prominently Before the Peo-
ple-"Whenever You See a Head, Hit
It," Is the Slogan.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

IT," is the SloSan.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington. March 1.-[Special. J.
II is a serious thing for an embryo
politician to have a record, particular
ly If he is n candidate or "A possibility
for the presidential nomination.
The record Of every man who has
thus far been mentioned has been care
fully searched to find out how he voted
this or that subject. whether he
was conservative or progressive, wheth-
for or against the railroads, wheth-
er for or against the corporations,
whether he was right on labor ques-
tons, immigration, woman suffrage,
prohibition and, In fact, all the many
vexed questions which have not yet
been settled.
The fellows who have caused these
records to be made are ready TO spring
them at the opportune time and posi-
bly, defeat the aspirations of different
men who hope to carry off the presi-
Dental nominations.
An Unfortunate Feature.
The pulling of a mans record IL an
unfortunate feature Of politics, because
II encourages demagogy. Ii makes
men support those things In which
they do not believe. The willy politi-
clan, If he hopes for future honors,
will have a record showing that he has
supported every ISM ever proposed.
Ii stands to reason that no man
could have supported all the various
propositions put forward by the pow
erful organizations hat have votes be-
hind them, and have retained enough
stamina and self respect TO be presi-
dent OF the United States.
"see a Head, Hit It."
There is an old story OF the Don
neybrook fair, In which the new
Irishman was advised, whenever you
see a head, hit It," which applies to
political conditions. The idea seems
to be that as soon as one man gets his
head up and begins to struggle TO get
his shoulders above the ruck OF eandi-
dates there are a lot of fellows who
are ready to throw bricks or bring
b%lackthorn shillalahs into play. The
presidential candidate who escapes IL
fortunate.
Greatest Indian War.
1t Is a curious fact that none of the
histories, none of the records and, In
fact, no writers ever more thar refer
to the greatest Indian war the country
has ever known, when grouping the
wars of the United States. Congress
man Miller of Minnesota In a recent
speech In the house said:
From the time the pilgrim fathers
landed Mt Plymouth and the first col
ony at jamestown until the present
time the greatest Indian uprising, with
the most awful extent OF mortality
that has ever occurred, took place In
1923 on the plains OF Minnesota and
Dakota"
He then vent ON TO describe some
of the horrors OF that Indian war, told
how 1t was fought by the strongest
and most warlike nation of Indians
that ever lived In America, the Sioux.
Angry When Opposed.
Minority Leader Mann often says
kindly things about his fellow mem
bers and appreciative remarks about
those who leave the house, but when a
man opposes and irritates him ne be-
comes angry. Mann and Murray (Al-
falfa BID Of Oklahoma had a con-
troversy In the house, and the dispute
became quite animated.
The gentleman from Illinois Is quib-
bling" said Murray.
A moment later Murray again sought
to interrupt the minority leader.
IF the gentleman has "A sensible re-
mark to make, which would be I'M
usual, | will yield to him." was Mann's
irate retort.
Applied to many members Ii would
be all right. but Murray rarely makes
anything but sensible remarks.
Contested Legislation.
Congress Is dealing with a large
amount OF bitterly contested legisla-
ton this winter. The conservation
OlllS, WHICH, ltludC II klNut htdi hioit
than the word implies. have been push
cd forward, although strong opposition
has developed. opposed by The con-
servationists is the dam and power bill
which has taken much time in the SEN
ate. In fact, there seems to be the pos
sibility Of a deadlock on all such meas
ures I'm congress-, the house ~favoring the
general scheme of the conservationists
and the senate inclined TO be more in
accord with western men who want
the states to control In the matter Of
water and power development.
Took a Bold Stand.
Congressman James of Michigan took
n bold stand in the house on the bill to
pension the widows and children Of
soldiers who served In the Spanish
war. lie was a state volunteer and
served In Cuba, but he asserted that
the proposed pension was altogether
too liberal and In time would cost the
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