The Portland daily press., 1870-09-14
THE PRESS.
Wednesday, Morning, September IA, lSIo'
.JOrkins.


1t is said of Mr.. Eldridge, the only Demo-
cratic representative from Wisconsin, tnat
DURING the four terms he has served in Con-
gress the only speech, having any point,
which he has made has been in these words:
"Mr. Speaker, I object" So frequently has
he repeated this that now the reporters take
it for granted and the printers keep it set up
and insert it as kind of break line 10 the
speeches of other members whether Eldridge
is present or not. The Congressional Globe
fairly bristles with it. He is the embodiment
of Dickens's ideal Jorkins in David Copper
field; gentleman whose sole use in the firm
of which he was member was to object to
whatever it was proposed should be done.
The editor of the Advertiser has assumed the
role of Jorkins here in Maine. Whatever the
Republican party does. or proposes to
do-or whatever he chooses to as
sumo that it intends to do-he i'm
meediately and incontinently Objects
His profession of the Republican faith is al
ways coupled with, and almost entirely COM
pretended in, the humble confession of the
AAsSis 81 ouo1 VIC udNO QOIC w udG VIC Ou5h0 iiOo
to have done and omitted to do that which
we ought to have done and that there is no
health in us. But this humility in accusing
the aggregate party is always accompanied by
an excusing of himself as member of it. We
Republicans are all miserable sinners-ercept
me, is the burden of his confession; and he is
always showing how, but tor his selfsacrific-
ing and heroic labors divers corrupt rings.
combinations and cabals would triumph
over the wishes and interests of the people
whose sole exponent and guardian he is.
When after weeks and months of public meet
ings and private effort a result different from
that desired by him appears to be imminent,
he does not for moment admit the possibil.
ity OF public sentiment differing from his
own, but resorts to loud reiterations of his
charges and threats what "the people" will
do, as if he alone possessed the secret of their
confidence, and the knowledge of their desire
and purpose. So long as it was evident that
his favorite for Senatorial honors two years
ago was not likely to be endorsed by the peo-
pies chosen representatves,.he Was loud in
his declarations that that man was the one
above all others whom the sovereign people
delighted to honor; but as soon as it appear
ed probable that this same gentleman might
receive the coveted position, Mr.. Jorkins again
objects, declaring that TO give the place now
which was refused two years ago, would be
again to thwart the wishes and defeat the
hopes of the people. How does it happen
that those men whom the people see fit to
designate as their special representatives, and
who, at time when this very question is
everywhere open to and pressed upon public
discussion, are practically charged with the
duty of selecting Senators for this State, can
never, by any possibility learn or comprehend
what their constituents want as well as those
gentlemen upon whom the people have not
devolved this duty. Why cannot those who
are chosen for the express purpose of doing a
certain thing, and who perform it under a
sense of their responsibility to those who have
chosen them, do it as intelgently, honestly
and well, and reflect as clearly the popular
will, as those to whom the people have not
seen fit to commit this trust