The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-02-08

or tMenty-nV0 years, mas nAu NO IN
iuence in Congress. It is the dis
.rictjin which we were raised, and
e composed of one of the finest re-
yions in Ohio. The reason for this
Is that many years ago the foolish
and weak habit was lnaugurated of
passing the Office around among the
counties of the district. In conse-
quence of this no man from that
district could stay in over two
terms, and generally not over one.
No difference how well the member
did, the rule must be observed, and
some aspirant from another county
than his own would be selected.
This foolish rule has always kept
the district weak in its congressiop-
sional representation, because no
man of permanent business could
afford to leave it for one or two
terms IN congress. Many of the
representatives have been really
weak men. Had that district pur-
sued the policy of the one which
kept Giddings so long in Congress,
and the one which now stands by
Garfield, it's representatives would
have exerted Q national influence.
The above instance is called to
mind just now by noticing in some
of the papers of this district move
to bring Judge S. r. Peters forward
as q candidate for Congress the
coming fall. So far this is confined to
papers in the Upper Arkansas Val
ley. His candidacy is based on two
grounds his qualifications for the
place, and location. 1t is urged that
an effort be made to secure the next
Congressman from the Arkansas
Valley. We have no doubt of the
Judges qualifications, and we are
glad to count ourselves among his
friends, and under proper circum-
stances would cheerfully support
him for the Office. The last reason
lie weak and should not now be
urged. The first Congressman from
this district, after its formation, was
given to the Arkansas Valley. From
almost every reliable source it was
stated that he was good member
Yet, when the time came for his re-
nomination, il was found the Arkan.
sas Valley was not united in his sup
port, and it strikes US that the
talk about an Arkansas Valley
man comes from that quarter
so soon, with rather a poor grace
Hon. Thomas Ryan, from thu
other end of the district, was nomi
mated. He has made an excellen
member frem all we can hear ant
have read about him. He ha
worked faithfully and industriously
In point OF ability, he is credit t,
the district. We do not know
whether he wishes to go back o
not, as we have not heard eithe
from him or his friends on tina
point. If he does, so far as we ar
now informed, we think he ough
to go. Our sympathies and inter
ests, so far as we entertain local feel
ing and prejudice, are with the
Southwest. But we can see no rea
son for q change. We believe MI
Ryan is broad enough in his view
to work for the Arkansas Vale,
! with the same interest as if he live
there. We take him to be that Sol
: of a man. Judge Peters now occu
, pies one of the most honorable an
responsible places in the State, an
, being young can afford to wait If b
wants to go to Congress. These al
our views of this matter, and if tn
NOV ement for Peters comes froI
no.other motive than appears upo
, its surface; If there is no better res
son for q change than has yet bee
stated ; if those who are urging hin
are doing SO because of reason
p ersonal to them--the attempt
make . change ought not to b
encouraged by the people of q
district.
We hope the Third District wi
D not inaugurste the foolish practiC
r of changing its Congressman ever
term, and thus fritter away il
b strength, for the sake of any of th
= "vallies" within its bounds. N
] matter where the man comes from
' If he behaves himself and does wei
!, let rs keep him there long enoug
!. to do the district some good.