The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1920-05-21

The above is a Photographic copy Of a personal appeal that is, fol the
most part, as you see, purely and simply campaign literature that is being
"fsnked" ot through thu mail to the $4,000 voters of the eleven counties
il he Fourth Congressional District by Congressman T. U ssson in the
interest of his campaign for reelection to Congress-. The first paragraph
proposes that he will have certain bulletins hat are described on the reverse
side of the sheet, mailed to the applicant if he will apply for them. None
OF this letter is necessary, fr full directions are printed o the front page
As to how o obtain these bulletins
The second and third paragraphs are nothing less than a strong appeal
to the voters in his W behalf, which are in violation Of the Law under
which matter may be mailed free by congressman. That law is as follows:
(Act April %, 1904, C. 1853, par y: Hereafter the vicePresdent, Mem
bers n Memberseet ad Delegates and Deegaeselect to Congress shall
have tn privilege OF sending Tree through the mails, nc unde their frank
n mail matter to my Government official or to an person., correspondence
not exceeding fol ounces in weight, upon official or departmental business
1 have included his letter and the law in this article o that o may
measure, in the light of the law, just how much he is overstepping and
violating this law in order to get his campaign before the people and at the
sam time have the people pay for his stationery, printing mailing and
postage, for certainly these items art charged u p to o in the appropriations
and collected iron you in taxes o pay the bill.
Did you eve stop to think that it would cost o. or me s5ooOO to pay
and another $500 90 % pay for the stationery, printing, mailing, etc. in get
ting these letters out. making a total OF 100000? 1t should cost him the
same that it would you or me.
During the campaign in 1918 Mr. Sisson "tanked' u a personal mes
Sag in April similar to h above; o June q he "franked" tut a 16pass
speech, which speech shows on its fac plainly that it "a campaign htGa
tre. How 1t purpors to numerate the accomplishments of the Demo
cratic party Tor the preceding TX years, lille tn bill th "a being dis
cussed IN the floor of the House was: Consideration Of the bill On. R.
1s54D making appropriations or Notifications and other works of defense
FOL he armament thereof, for the procurement of heavy ordnance for trial
and service. and for other purposes" The speech did OF respond to the
subject and it is plain that it was made % convince the people "back home'
and 10 ito enIghten any member in the House.
On July "a he "franked" nut a runpage letter, on more than 800 wrdA
making a personal appeal 20 oMr farmers to dope them inoH line. that ws
ouenIy IN violation Of the letter and spirit of the above law. 1t would have
cost m 100000 to have had printed, addressed and paid the postage o ss
campaign literature he franked through the mail in 1918 1t should ave cost
him $1,000 90, but the taxpayers paid the bill Tor him. presume he Will
10 boz he SAM thing this year he did in 1918. He hs begun It. Il u
this wa each election year.
Did o know that 500 members Of the House and Senate frank" out
rAstb of all h mail in the United States? The other 11oNooOoo people
mn postage N the other 4445ths. There is n limit o . Ccnsrsssmans
abuse OF h fanking privilege but the blue sky and the taxpayers money
He soy in his above letter, ri have remained at my post OF duty" ]
van ito tell yu that he las not Justl last summer he va IN n arouna
Nurona for about threea and q half months while Congress rs in n Of The
eps,at periods Of it's history. Anyone in Winona will tell you this il tra
Mr. Voter. do yu think it is right and fair for you, me and the other
taxpayers to pay MIR Sissons printing, literature, postage and clerk hire for
It is in violation OF III law. l am emily appealing for fair play. | pay my
WI campaign expenses to a penny; let him pay his and not charge them
VI b o. 1t the other end of the line. l want to be entirely far with nfm.
ana ! want him to be fair with me and the taxpayers' money.
Sincerely your friend,
ad JEFF BUsBY.