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Show WHAT CAUSED THE HEAT? 'j H The House of Representatives made a demand B for information of the Postofflce Department to jB show at what times and under what circum- B stances during the past five years members of B Congress havd used their influence to secure in- B creases in salaries of postmasters ' additional H clerks or in regard to leases of buildings, etc. H When the information was supplied a perfect H storm of wrath swept over the lower house, and H the Postmaster General was assailed with almost H fish-woman epithets. We cannot understand H what there was in the record to awaken such, a H storm. Different conditions exist in the various H sections of this great country. A rigid rule might H be exactly just and even generous in one place H where its enforcement would work a mighty in- H justice in another. Or a little way-side postofflce H might in a few weeks become the center of a H great mining camp and the salariless postmaster M be overwhelmed with his work; Or the prices H of food and clothing might advance 25 per cent in H a year, as they nearly havQ right here, and a M clerk on his salary might not be able to live. M What is more natural than an appeal to tho Con M gressmen of the District and what more natural M than, for him to present the facts tq the Post- master General. When this is honestly done, M what is there wrong in 'the record of it? Why B should Congressmen become heated when the rec :B ord is shown? We cannot understand the wrath 'M of Congressmen over the showing. This is sup- M posed to be a government of the people through jB til Iff S ! IV J the people's representatives. The members o ! fl Iw n "ne lower ouse are supposed to be the direct El i' I ((''i I agents of their constituents the voices of the I j : 1 1 1 : H people they represent, and in that capacity they Bi y 1 1 1 Mm havo the right to ask for any legitimate thing. B I 4 1 r 1 m Indeed, that is one of their direct duties. Hence, wi t 111 V why the heat over the record? it- ill |