The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1919-01-24
Capitol Correspondence

issOne mistake the present legisla-
Fure is making lies in the caustic
criticisms it is heaping on the for
mer administration. Its avowed
purposes to be economical is of
little value at this time. At the
end of two years, if its balance
sheet shows in good deeds honestly
performed, the general public will
readily appreciate it. To call upon
the people now to behold how good
and great the members of the pres
ent legislators are, is camouf1age
and will not be taken at par.
AS a matter of fact the present
Legislature, as others that have gone
before, is made up of common,
everyday men. They all intend to
be honest and most of them are.
The financial record thus far is as
follows: Seventy-five thousand dol
lars was appropriated for expenses,
twenty-five hundred for stationery
etc. and ten dollars for postage, but
on this latter item hangs tale.
The resolution appropriating that
sum for each member was passed by
practically unanimous vote. The
next day one young mans con-
science was disturbed as the ten dol
lar postage resolution loomed up as
petty graft and he accordingly
moved a reconsideration en- which
the vote stood .32 ayes, 27 noes and
five absent and the motion was lost.
But the third day the same pro-
position was brought up and now
our solons will receive five dollars
for postage, the same as former
members. There seemed to be one
argument in favor of the higher
rate. Postage had kept pace with
the high cost of living so that even
ten dollars was meager sum to
tide many of the members over the
two years before them.
A republican legislator insinuat-
ed that some measly democrat had
stolen the clock that had done SER
vice many years in Representative
Hall. Another republican, piously
inclined, thanked God that the
Eagle still spread his wings over
the dome of the State House but
representative Moody quietly re-
marked, "Wait two years and then
look for the Eagle" Time will
tell. A new clock has been install.
led. Of course we have an inner.
tied suspicion of legislatures ir
general and we are of the opinion
that the present bodies are no bet
ter or worse than those Of former
years.
A visit to the Senate proved o1
great interest. The first question
that arose in the writer's mind was
"How did the president of the Sen
ate, otherwise the Lieutenant Gov
ernor, land his job? We distinct!
remember that we voted for hin
but then we had neither seen no
heard him. We simply barked afte
the track. The ex-republican presid
ent, Taylor, was guest of the Sen
ate and gave a short talk. Thi
gave an opportunity for compar
isons and surely the present man i
a subject Of profound commisera
ion. Governor Davis is fine heal
thy looking man but the "Flu"
no respector of persons. If it shoul
get him what would become of lii
tie Idaho?
The Senate by strict party vote
postponed indefinitely senate men
orial favoring league of nation:
It was vainIy urged by the demo
Gratis that it involved world an
not a party question. Here tn
democrats were clearly in tn
wrong for if a league of nations
formed President Wilson will ge
credit for it. The republicans wer
equally in the wrong by making it
party question for the league Of nj
tions is already assured.
Three officials had been regular
appointed by Governor Alexande
These were not recent appointment
but were for long terms. The des
public was not given the sign I
reason why the Senate refuse
confirmation. 1t was purely pa
tisan act and questionable one
to party policy. Viewed at VOL