Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-05-08
THE coLoNEL's STRENGTH
Made up Of the Invaluable Experience
Acquired During His Meritorious
Career In the House.

Career In the House.
ConespOndehce Of the Register.
CLARKsBURG, May 6.
In your issue of April 22nd., appears
an article from correspondent in this
county, preierring the claims Geo. r
Tingle ESQ. Of your city, for the con
gressional nomination in this district
While have no disposition TO antago,
nize Mr.. Tngle, Col. Campbell or any
other gentleman who may be aspiring
to Congress, at the same time 1t is proper
that some things should he said upon
this subject from point OF view entlre'
ly impersonal as regards the candidates
themselves.
Ii seems to me that, in the selection
of a candidate for Congress. the people
should be guided in their choice by
considerations affecting themselves and
their interests rather than by the
claims Of any individual or any county
in the district. The usefulness OF the
office-holder TO the country at large and
to his continents in particular should
De the measure Of his fitness. The mere
fact that the same man has been in Con-
gress two terms or four terms is not q
sufficient reason for voting him out,
The southern States held their sway
over the legislation OF the country be'ore
the war by returning the same Inen u
Congress term after term. by this
means their Congressman became
thoroughly acquainted both with the
subject matter and the machinery oi
legislation and were able in great de
gree TO direct and contro, the legislation
of Congress. The northern states have
learned the same thing, and the Leaders
in Congress to-day are the men who
have been returned some OF them iol
six or eight consecutive terms.
West Virginia Is small State, with
out any great manufacturing or Other
interest which commands attention and
influence in the country, and il she oh
tains power in the federal councils II
must be by the influence of the men
who represent her there. II We pursue
the policy OF returning new men "a
Congress every four wears, We must in
evitabIy he forever in the background
We have no man in this district who
can command position OF prominence
in Congress by reason OF his national
reputation. A new man must therefore
begin by sitting in his place and learn
ing the methods Of legislation and be
coming acquainted with those who di'
rect the course OF affairs. This will take
his first term at least. lie has then "a
work himself up during the second term
when he is in position to he OF some
benefit To his constituents. But here
steps in the convention and says, You
have been in Congress long enough
YOU must step aside and give place 10 q
new man." The same treadmill opera
ton in then gone over again, with tim
result that the district Is never ppre
sented by any one who can either do IA
any good, or give the state any promln
ence in Congress.
Applying these observations 10 the
present case, Col. Wilson is now serving
his third term in Congress. IL is no dis
paragement to those who preceded him
10 say that he has been the most efiici
ent congressman this district has bad
since the State was formed. lie ha,
earned q position Of prominence and in
fiuence which no one from this district
ba. hiterto hal. His record has been
with some objections which shall pre-
sently mention. consistent with the best
interests OF his constituents. II, has
IL is true, been voting with your manu-
featuring high tariff in Wheeling, which
We who are believers in the Democratic
dociIe of free trade or tarllf for revenue
only, DO not like; but he has done ir
this regard only what scores of Other
men elected as Democrats are doing 10
Congress, and IL IN safe to say that any
OF the gentlemen AT present named a,
his successor would hesitate long befOr,
he would do otherwise and risk the dis
pleasure Of the pan handle counties
In point oi ability Col. Wilson is a
least the equal OF any OF the gentlemeI
named against him, and be has the adj
di,ional advantage Of the lage experi
ence which six years OF service in Con
eress have given him. In a word ever,
consideration % the interests Of this iis
trict, as they are at present interpreted
demands that the people should return
Col. Wilson as the man who can bes
serve them in Congress.
make these suggestions, as stated IL
the outset, without regard TO any per
sonal preference of my own. Frankly
Col. Wilson is not my personal choice
| do not admire his How dye 10" style
nor do like his recOrl on the fnancia
and tariff questions; and il the people o
this district will make an issue ON thes,
questions aud adopt the old.iashlone,
Democratic doctrines oi hard none,
and revenue tariff, shall hold mysel
ready 20 support any man who vii
stand on such platform. But n
things are, IL seems to me that the bes
interests OF the district demand the re
turn Of Col. Wilson, for the reason
above indicated. Begging pardon, Mr.
Editor, for trespassing NJ largely upoi
your columns lam
Yours truly