The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-10-31

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AT the late meeting of the charter
members of the American Legion of Hon
or of this city, for the purpose of organi-
cation, the following worthy officers were
elected A. Comings, commander; Robert
II, Baird, vice commander; Cyrus Close,
past, commander; II. +. Potter, orator; Il,
E. Ellis, secretary; w. G. Jocelyn, collector;
w. L. Bristol, treasurer; DR.. j. s. Pe!rie,
chaplain; Walter Cunditf, guide; J. s.
McGahey, Warden; W. F. Axley, sentry;
CIV. Hendricks, e. A. Smith and W. M.
Davidson, trustees The regular meetings
are to be held on the second and fourth
Mondays of each month.
Another question to be voted upon on
the 7th proxmo is whether or not an APP
preparation shall be made for finishing the
new state house at Springfield. AS the
house now stands it is not credit to the
state and the uncompleted portion of it is
crumbling away because of improper care.
The city of Springfield has consented to
donate ground for the use of the state in
connection with the building, and is ready
to make the transfer whenever certain
necessary conditions are complied with.
The proposed work is necessary too, be-
cause the unfinished portion of the build
ing is needed for state purposes. II would
seem to be the part of economy and wis
dom therefore that the appropriation
should be sanctioned by the people, and
made aud judciously expended.
~ am the first congressman from this
district, " said CAPT. Thomas, in his speech
at the Opera House Wednesday night,
"who was ever been made q chairman Of
committee And then he proceeded to
tell his audience how an old member of
congress had more influence in that body
than young one; how he had been able
to do much more good during his second
term than he had been able to do during
the hrst how he would be able to do more
during the third term (Which I'm sure to
get and don't you forget it,"
said he) than he had done
during the second, and how, during
his fourth term, he would be regarded as
one Of the old members and be taken into
consultation by the mental giants OF the
federal house when matters of great i'm.
portance were to be agreed upon between
them. Thus" said be, with rude famili-
arity, "havesSam Randall, Sam Cox, Alex
Stephens who have served for many years
in succession, gained the influential posi-.
tons which they hold in congress" Mr..
Thomas forgot that these men owed their
successive reelection to the fact that they
represented their constituents ably and ef-
tectually. Thell influence oyer their fellow
members in congress may have been due
to some extent to the fact that their fire.
quent reelection proved them to possess
the confidence Of their constituents, but
their reelection was entirely due, and their
influence in congress was IN q great
measure due, 10 their great minds--to the
feet that they were men Of brains, beside
whom such uen as Captain Thomas must
always remain pigmy in influence as he
is pigmy ia mind Capt Thomas should
bear in mind that though frequent re-elec-
ton MAY give influence, it takes brains and
proper use thereof to give reelection.
But the correctness Of the claim that an
old member can represent his constituents
more inhucntialy than new one can de-
ponds upon one other very important cou-
diton. 1t depends upon whether such old
member is in harmony with the dominant
party. If be is not, he will cut small
figure at best, he will be excluded from all
consultations Of the majority, Hislong serv-
ice, even if he be a man of brains, will not
gain for hlm the confidence Of the domi-
nant party to the extent Of allowing him to
influence them III the least when matters Of
public policy are under consideration, and
if he be mau Of very few brains (as we
know one who is then his insignicance is
almost painful to contemplate. All i'm
I porant actions Of the majority will be done
in spite Of the minority, and the influence
Of such man as Captain Thomas would
have about as much effect upon the nten-
tons of the m jori,y as preaching honesty
has upon the average Republican politician.
If Captain Thomas is elected, he will be on
the side Of the minority in the house, and
he will be nonenitY and unable, even if
ne had the will which he has given us
ample reason to believe he has not, to
exert any influence in the interest of the
| neon "A Of his district IIo will ha Jonnnol