Smyrna times., 1877-12-12
A COngressman's Experience.


While the experience of an ex.congress.
man, which is published in the October
number OF ScT6ncr, is very interesting
narrative, 1t is by no means novel or re-
markable. Scores of men who have held
!,it Inat position can give the same experience.
The eX-cOngressman who makes public his
experience in ScrJncr was elected and came
into office in 1868 with the Grant admins.
traton. In his district there was about a
hundred post offices for which he was ex-
pected to recommend persons who should
be postmasters. There appeared as MANY
as thousand persons claiming positions
each OF whom had secured the nomination
and election of this particular congressman.
and each promised the most prodigious
efforts to re-nOminate and re.elect him
should they be rewarded for their services
past and promised 10y the offices they cove.
tea. The writer, however, was not open
to such appeals. lie held to the old.
fashioned idea that inasmuch as the post
othces were created for the benefit and
convenience OF the communities where
they were located, and were the repositors
OF their correspondence and the avenues
through which they did their business, the
people interested should be consulted re-
spectlng the fitness of the persons to be an.
pointed. When, therefore, he announced
his purpose to recommend such persons
Tor appointment as presented the most
satisfactory evidence that they were desired
toy or at least acceptable to the people in
terested IN the different post offices, there
was CONSERVATION in the camp and loud
threatening among the disappointed. The
editor OF local paper was one of the appli.
cants fora post office, and early in the session
secured and printed Washington letter in
which the first speech of the ''new and
able member" was lavishly appauded. In.
asmuch as "our new member" had not
opened his lips in the house, this euloev
failed to take. The editor was not an
pointed, but the man who presented n
petition signed by a majority of the resi-.
dents OF the town was, whereupon the
editor used his journal to slander and
abuse the congressman during the six
years. Nor was this all; many of the dis
appointed ones organized war upon him
and declared through their organ that he
should not be reelected because he twas
breaking up the party" although in
congress he voted with his party associates.
sustained the administration and recon.
mended such persons for public position as
to hlm appeared to enjoy the public conf
dence and favor. His course, however, was
generally approved. The discruntlcd and
disappointed fought him at the conventions
and voted against him, still he ALWAYS ran
ahead of his ticket.
1t IS scarcely necessary to add that this
eX.congrcssman does not believe in the
policy Of senators and representatives
practically making the appointments which
the constitution vests in the executive.
lie believes that it is not only a source of
decentralization and corruption in the
public service, but also the surest means of
breaking the dominant party into bitter
factions and nulifying the influence OF
congressman who by their ability might
otherwise secure the united and hearty
support of their constituencies, and also
render the country independent and valu,
able service. 1t may be safely remarked
that every congressman whose ability iusti.
hes hlS election to congress will confess
that the disposal of the patronage in his
district or state has proved a source of per.
sonal weakness to him rather than an cle
ment OF ngth.-BoSton journal.