The weekly sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1886-08-05
THE NATIONS CAPITAL.
PROCEEDINGS IN BOTH HOUSES
OF CONGRESS.

The Congressional Record not'a True
Reflex of the Representatives Public
Life-FIattering Comments on Hon.
Jas. w. Reid.
Special Correspondence of the Sentinel
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2.-That Con-
gress did not adjourn when the House
desired, was scarcely unexpected It
may be creditable that the session was
prolonged somewhat, if not enough.
Last week the hurried conferences and
besieging claimants told only too we'll
that Congress, in its last hours, prefers
expedition TO justice and prudence. In
this mechanical and characteristic
haste to adjourn, there is scarcely any
thing new. The dexterity with which
body of American politicians can
ease their conscience is quite we'll
known. Last week was rigidly de-
voted, however, to accomplishing what
time would permit We may step
from the beaten path at this eleventh
hour, and consider men instead of
measures. 1t is at Washington Con-
gresham undergoes
THE TEST OF SERVICE.
The general public, and his confding
constituents, may hear of his conduct
in the halls of legislation it may
prove satisfactory. A brilliant speech,
or mastery measure, may answer
for any shortcomings of which he has
been accused, or, indeed, OF which he
is guilty. The Congregational Record,
if nothing else, presents the average
Congressman in his most favorable
light. Of the actual, undisguised, and
conduct of a Congress
man at Washington, the general pub
lie and constituents know nothing.
The man must be seen in his true
light.
DISSIPATION, UNsEEMLY CONDUCT,
is frequently suppressed. It would
be thankless task for any newspaper
to expose these weaknesses in virtu-
Gus spirit, and a despicable ambition
to dog q Congressman for no better
purpose. But that there are members
whose conduct at Washington is not
what it would be at home, that there
are members who are drunk from the
opening to the adjournment, that
there are members whose reputation is
on level with that of the outcasts of
the city, are facts known to every OBJ
servant citizen of the Capital. It is at
Washington, therefore, that Con-
gresham can best be measured.
A CoNsc1ENTIoUs LEGIsLAToR
is entitled to, and should receive, all
Of the credit contrast permits. He is
3 man not found everywhere-a man
who should be encouraged and sup.
ported. He may make mistake of
The head, but rely on it, he will never
make mistake of the heart. Senti-
ment may not be in place here, but
The Congressman with big heart can
be trusted farther than one with moth
ing but big head. In these days of
progress, it is a question
virtue is encouraged. The
success of men totally deficient moral
ly is certainly poor encouragement to
pursue the old commonplace course
Of virtue. There can be no better ac-
acknowledgement. then, of virtues place
in American politics than unswerving
to reward conscientious
legislators.
MAN OF THE PEOPLE
a man of whom we would speak, is es-
sentially man of heart. On the
same principle that vice succeeds
where virtue fails, it may be argued
that man of the people receives no
encouragement. 1t is not far from
the truth. A large number OF Con-
gressmen-perhaps some who were
elected as men of the people-repre-
sent nothing but the qualification of
personal ambition, the promotion of
unholy aims, or the i'll disguised de-
to be supported by Uncle
Sam. Out of all sorts of coin, we Sc
lect one that has the true ring-a man
Of the people from conscience, not
from policy.
AN EARNEST, HARD WORKER,
toiling not for self, but for constitu
ants, this man, in and out of the halls
Of legislation, has won the admiration
Of all. This is saying much HIS
AdNC lICttIu VI llllu Ii
time to time, through THE SENTINEL,
but the real, hard labor and conscien-
tious efforts have been actually OBJ
served by few not residents at Wash
ington. Everything his constituents
have heard has been favorable This
is ali the average Congressman seeks
to achieve. But what is better, every
thing his constituents have not heard
has been favorable too. This is more
than enough to re-elect him.
AN UNsWERvING PATRIOT,
his heart has at all times been for his
There has been no more
policy in his creditable conduct he
has not toiled for the sake of another
laurel he has represented his constit
uents from high sense of duty-been
a nat riot where others have been mol