The Aberdeen examiner. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1866-current, 1883-07-12

We were somewhat astonished to
find the following in the editorial
columns Of our usually level headed
contemporary, the Aberdeen Exami-
ner.
Gan esteemed contemporary few
weeks ago limited at the possibility of
some of. our Mississippi representa-
tives exchanging their votes in this
behalf for chairmanships of important
committees: So far from condemn
ing this course we heartily approve
it, and wish that every one of our
delegation could by his vote for
Speaker be assured of this promi-
nence, for it would give Mississippi
greater weight in Congress than she
has enjoyed in all her history, and
assure the fair consideration of every
measure in which her people are
Immediately interested, The legisla-
sion of the House of Representatives
is shaped and controlled by commit
tees; no bill can make any Roadway
or receive any consideration that is
not reported from committee, hence
to obtain a controlling influence in
committee, such as a Craftsmanship
affords, is the ambition of every Con-
gresham who desires to shape legis-
lation in the interest of the people he
Immediately represents, or to prevent
the reporting of bills inimical to their
welfare"
TT may be, that in the past, some
Mississippi Representative has been
guilty of the disreputable conduct
which the Examiner thoughtlessly so
"heartily approves" but we trust that
no man from this State will be found
in the next House, capable of such
prostitution. 1t is the business of
members to vote for the best man for
Speaker, who is nearest in accord
with them, politically, and the Rep
esentative who turns aside from the
plain path of duty to dicker for the
Craftsmanship of committee for
himself, is a base, degraded Hessian,
unworthy Of an association with hon
est men,.
There was a good deal of talk
about this sort of exchanging their
votes" for chairmanships, by members,
when the Hon. Sam Randall was
elected Speaker of the House once
before. Whether there was any truth
in the allegation of bargains then
made, we do not know, but it was
common talk that Mr.. Randall had
promised more Chairmanships than
were at his disposal, and the fact that
the House Adjourned repeatedly from
Friday until the following Tuesday,
to enable him to "iix up things, gave
color to the charge.
The pretence of serving his constit-
uents, and advancing the interests of
his State, can never paliate an act of
absolute dishonor, and the Represen-
tative who barriers his vote for Speak
er, for the Guardianship of a Com
mittee, is a miserable caitiff who
deserves to be kicked from the
position he degrades.--[ Vlcksburg
Herald.
~Dickering for Chairmanships" is
rather an ambiguous phrase: 1t is
supposed that every member of Con-
gress who enters a Democratic caucus
is a Democratic he is not, he has no
right to be present. If all in the |
caucus are Democrats and the caucus
is assembled for the purpose of max
ing Democratic nominations, it is rea-
sonable to suppose that every mem
Der of it is an interested party, and
that in his actions and votes he con-
suits the best interests of his imme-
diate constituents wherever this can
be done without endangerng the
welfare of the great party of which
lie is a member. This being the case,
and he being a man fit to represent
constituency in Congress, he properly
seeks to make such alliances and
combinations as will strengthen his
hands, increase his power for service,