Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-07-30
noTArIoN I'm CONGRESS-.

RoTATION IN CONGRESS-.
f Much of the delay, confusion, and dissen.
sions in Congress are clearly traceable to the
system Of rotation, which strips it Of expe-
rienced members, and fills their places with
raw ones.
1t would seem that the plan for the conduct
of business is well calculated to systematize, to
ripen measures, and to have them fully, fairly,
and ably presented for consideration.
What better mode could be devised than the
distribution Of work among the several CON-
mittees. These committees have confded to
their especial charge certain measures upon
which Congress has to act. Upon them rests
the responsibility Of collecting all authentic in
formation on the several matters, and Of making
such a report upon them, accompanied by the
evidence upon which their report is based, as
will enable each member Of Congress to deter
mine, iutelIgently for HIMSELF what course he
shall pursue. If the committee faithfully per-
form their duty, Congress has before it the in
formation upon which to decide, and the mere
reading Of the report will bring them to con-
clusion how to vote, and little time would be
lost in discussion. Each committee would fur
nish the quota Of reports and information, SO
that every subject to be considered would have
received due study and be properly presented.
A speedy and harmonious session ought to be
the result. But what is the fact
Scarcely any report is read, or, if read, is al
lowed to have its due weight. And why?
There are two reasons. One prominent rea'
son is, that SO much Of what comes before Com
gress has antecedents, on which in innumer-
able cases, new members have no knowledge
or information, while such antecedents, If
known, might greatly modify or even reverse
the conclusion to which otherwise they would
have come. It has happened SO frequently, from
this cause, that matters have been so partially
presented, that confidence in the reports Of COM
mittees, since the introduction Of rotation in
Congress has steadily declined. A second rea-
son also, is, that new members, to show that
they attend to their duties, and to obtain the
reputation of watchfalness, make hypercritical
exceptions, or seize upon some subject inter
esting TO their constituents to make flourish,
They often do this reluctantly, but find them
selves almost necessitated to do SO, to prove
they are not indolent or negligent although
the same parties in committee may have labor
ed with zeal, diligence, and ability which
should entitle them to greater credit than the
best speech Of the session should merit.
The consequence is, that finding reports dis.
regarded, that, in fact, it is only by great good
luck they can get chance to report bill, mem.
bers have become discouraged, at having from
half dozen to dozen reports in their drawer
over the session, without an oppor-
tunity to present them; until now the report
Of a committee is no assurance, whatever, OF
its passage, Committees are fast becoming
Were members allowed and urged
to remain as long as they could convenient
ly; such system of committee-work would
be adopted, as would simplify the labors OF
Congress, and furnish it with reliable informa-
ton.
The adoption of the system of rotation in
Congress, making it reward for party services,
is most unhappy introduction, and is fraught
with many evils. The good which may arise
from it, cannot bear any comparison with the
We refer, of course, to such
members as are capable and have the conf
dence of their constituents.
A member of ability and industry, who has
diligently prepared himself during several con-
crosses to earn name, naturally enough feels
keenly the injustice of being left out just at the
fruition of his labors, after having abandoned
his private interests and devoted himself to the
public service.
If the country understands its interest, it
should stereotype the names Of its faithful and
able supporters in the congressional list. The
system of rotation makes demagogues, the OPP
posite system makes business men and states
men.