Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-08-22
OUR CONGRESSMAN.

OUR CONGRESSMEN.
The enterprising Washington Cores
pondent OF the Lewiston Journal, has q
closing communication relating to Names
Congressman personally. From his ar
ticle we cut the final clauses as follows:
CONGRESSMAN DINGLEY.
Though Mr.. Dingley was stranger
to most of the members Of Congress when
he came here last December, his reputa-
ton as Governor of Maine, and as stud
ent of finance and an an advocate oftem-
perance reform, had yet gone before him,
and the Speaker placed him on the COM
mittee on banking and currency and on
that on the Alchoholic Liquor Traffic. In
the earlier part Of the session the work Of
the former committee was quite onerous,
and Mr.. Dingley entered into it with
great interest To him was assigned the
duty Of preparing report on the silver
question. | am told that when it was
completed number Of the leading finan-
cisrs Of both parties, in the House, were
called in to consider it, in order that it
might be perfect before being sub
mitted to the House. So carefully
had the work been done that no one sug-
gested a change. When the measures
of the banking and currency committee
have been before the House, Mr.. Ding
ley has shown himself thoroughly tamil
lar with every detail, and is prepared
to answer all objections. This is the
kind Of work that wins man rep utation
among his fellow members. Mr.. DIS
speech on the National Banking system
was regarded so able and convincing that
the national committe printed it for cir.
culation in every State.
The Committee on Alchohlolic Liquor
Traffic authorized Mr.. Dingley to prepare
the report on this bill to provide for a
commission on that subject, and this re-
port has attracted much attention.
Mr.. Dingley's first speech of the ses-
sion was made on the subject Of the Pro-
lection of American shipping. and was
highly praised by the press and cores
pondents. His remarks in opposition to
the Yorktown liquor bills, and on reduc-
ton of taxation, and Of the public debt
have attracted much more than ordinary
notice.
He was a member Of the joint COM
mittee on the memory Of James A. Gar
field whose duty it was to arrange the
memorial service at which Mr.. Blaine's
Grafton was delivered. As everyone
knows, the committees work was well
done.
have been at the House scores Of
times this session, but do not remem-
Der ever to have found Mr.. Dingley alb
sent from his seat. He has not missed
a day during the session. l know Of no
other member of whom as much can
be said, and l appreciate the Spartan
fortitude, which must have been required
in sitting out some of the tariff speeches.
Now, Messrs. Editors, in closing this
series of Washington letters, want to
be allowed little say of my own about
Mr.. Dingley. Your readers will under
stand that it is and not you who says
this, SO please keep your modest pencil
out out of these lines. / wish to say
that Mr.. Dingley's progress and reputa-
tation in the House has been unusual,
and very fattering both to him and his
constituents. He has already reached a
place of influence such as q man might
be proud to attain at the end of his Sec
ond term, and he has served but single
session. The secret of his success seems
to me to lie in the untiring industry
the continual hard work-which has
made him master of the great questions
which have arisen, and in that courtesy
which seeks to remove mems prejudices
by the force Of logic rather than to treat