The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1880-01-17
THE sENAT0RsHIP.

lib SbNAIUh5Hlf,
The DEMOCRAT has not admitted the
claims OF Gen. Gibspn's advocates when
they assume that he has emlnently
distinguished himself Ia his congressional
career At the same time we do not by any
means seek to deny him that credit TO which
he IL justly entitled. His long service. de-
pertinent. and acknowledged attention to the
interests contided 70 hts charge has enabled
him 10 render efficient service In protecting
the sugar interests and he has labored earn
estly In other directions. SO have his col
leagues. and II was their duty so to do.
Tho DEMOCRAT has simply checked over
7salons supporters who have betrayed dis
position to dwarf other public men Of Louisi-
ana into insignilicance and exalt Gen Gibson
by eentering IN him MI tho credit for results
which Internationally may be accredited TO
the concurrent efforts of his colleagues and
political associates.
Suppose. however, II be admitted. for tho
all tho ability and influence In Congress now
claimed for him by hls friends; that, by rea-
son Of many years Of service and his iutluen-
tial associations Mt Washington, he has
secured high position upon tho most
important committee In the House. the Com
mittce on Ways and Means. Now, II Com
Gibaon be elected United States Senator. to
take his seat In 1893. II IL scarcely probable
that he would become o. candidate for re-eleo-
ton to- tho House In 1870. No one who knows
our distinguished friend would calculate upon
his doing 80. II would not comport with som
atoral dignity to say nothing Of other mani
fest objections. As matter Of fact, MI the
great measures which affect the material In
terests or the South. and which have been
pressed upon Congress for years, will In all
probability be discussed and passed upon be
tween now and 1884, and the great battlefield
will be- In the House of Representatives..
The revenue bill. which 10 framed by the
very Committee on Ways and Means in which
Gen. Gibson la said to WELD such powerful In
luence. must originate there. Ii Is In tho
framing Of this legislation that the sugar In
forests are protected
1t IL In the House that ell appropriation
bills for improvements must originate.
Ii Gen. Gibson shall be transferred from
this field OF usefulness and be relegated to
two years of retirement after which no will
take his rank amongst tho new Senators. and
there commence ut the bottom Of the soma
torial ladder how will tho people be com
pensated for tho loss that may follow to all of
the vital measures In which they are inter-
eated If IL has been Gibson's influence that
has maintained the tariff upon sugar, who will
stand between this interest and danger when
he IL ABSENT A Louisiana member may be
assigned to that committee. but as 1t Ia one In
which promotion Ia exceedingly slow. IL ia
manifest that the very representatives Of the
sugar interest who now urge Gen. Gibson's
claims would be the sufferers.
Again, In his absence, what would become
OF tho appropriations for the Mississippi
river, the Mint, harbors. railroads, and. Ia
fact. for all those measures which we are told
he has originated or caused to be considered
heretofore2
1t Is quite clear to us that II 1t be true that
Gen. Gibson has one-half the influence as
cribed to him by his advocates, then the peo-
pie will best serve themselves by keeping
him upon the battlefield where their inter
ests require the hardest fighting.
HIS Wow "a ZIG mabeSi uoos hots Vi Souine',
regard the Generals preferences; but, in
asmuch as the question at issue Is
one which the Legislature Ia likely to view
from the standpoint OF what will best pro-
mote the welfare Of the people. we present 1t
In this shape, and apprehend that our Iegis-
lators will avail themselves OF the opportunity
offered to retain SO excellent o public servant
where he can do the most good, and by plao
Ing John McEnery in the United States San-
ate they will. we think, not only reflect the
Democratic sentiment OF the State, bat secure
the additional services OF an able, pure and
patriotic gentleman.