The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-06-23
The Sound Democratic Theory.


record as favoring the sound Democratic
theory of rotation in ofice-the right of
the people at stated times and according
to the forms Of law TO change their ser
wants. Upon this doctrine rests the
stability of our republican form Of gov
eminent 1t is the boast no .css than
the glory of the American people that
the Office holding class are not their
masters or rulers, but their agents or
servants, and any doctrine which would
deprive the people of the power TO
choose their agents or servants would De
destructive of the fundamental principle
on which the government is based-the
consent of the governed.
But rotation in Office as theory or
principle of government, is easily dIstin-
guishable from the clamor for the re-
moval Of faithful public servant, sim
ply because he has held Office for one
or more terms The public official, when
his term of Office expires, no matter
whether it be the first, second or third
term, is not debarred from rendering
further service to the people. As to his
right again to hold Office should the peo-
pie again elect him, he is on the same
footing as one who has never held office.
In every such case it rests with the peo-
pie to decide whether their interests
will be best promoted and protected by
electing a tried servant or by retiring
him and calling another to take his
place.
In the Seventh Congressional District
in this State there is an effort to make a
curious and novel application of the
doctrine of rotation. In 1882 Col.
Hooker who was then serving his fourth
term in the House, and was candidate
for fifth term, failed to get the nomina
ton which was given by the Democrats
to Maj. Barksdale. Col. Hooker chooses
now TO assume that he was retired in
obedience to the doctrine of rotation
but this is not fact. But admitting
that the primary cause of his failure to
get the nomination was the fact that
he had already been nominated and
elected four times, it seems to follow
| that in the opinion of the Democracy OF
| the District man should be allowed to
serve four terms before it would be
proper TO apply the doctrine of rotation
At that time Col. Hooker was of the
opinion that Representative in Con
gress should be allowed to serve five
terms, at least, before he should become
disqualified by virtue of the doctrine Of
rotation. and he was considerably dis
gruntled at finding that his constitu
ents did not agree with him. Now
| however, after Maj. Barksdale has
been elected only two times against
his four terms, he invokes the doc
trine of rotation, never applied to him
though he insists that it was, to give
him the nomination against Maj. Banks
dale. If Col. Hooker were urging the
doctrine of rotation on the general prin
ciple that Maj. Barksdale had served
the full time which ought to be allowed
any citizen of the State, and were no
himself a candidate after having served
four terms as against the two terms Of
his competitor, his position would bt
| stronger. But even then it would bt
untenahle, since the people of Missis
sippi neither by custom nor statute hav,
ever determined that Representativ,
in Congress should become disqualified
after service of two terms. If Their,
be any rule on the subject, it is in favo
of more than two terms. Col. Hooker
four term service illustrates the rule il
this District, and the long incumbenc,
of Messrs. Muldrow, Money and Single
ton, show that the course in this Dis
trict was not an exception to the rule.
Against Maj. Barksdale's course il
Congress naught can be said naugh
has been said, except that he has bee
unable to satisfy all who sought his re
commentator for Office. No man VIII
ever went to Washington from Missii
sippi has been more faithful than he t
his public duties. He is always at hi
post. Letters addressed to him on an
business of interest to any citizen of th
State, are received by him and prompt
answered, and in all cases when the
are not applications for office, satisfa,
torily answered. On all public mea
ures his position is absolutely abov
criticism. He is the equal in INTEL
, gence, force of character and experienc
| in public affairs of any citizen of tn
District. His habits are simple, orderl,
, laborious and methodical. Against sue
man it is useless to invoke a tneor
; which is utterly without merit ON an
general principle, aud in.the particula
instance in which its application
/ sought, has nothing to commend it.
When it becomes the proper thing I
retire Maj. Barksdale in accordanc
with the good old Democratic doctrin
of rotation, there are other good men
the District, willing and able to sery
the people in Congress, who will off
themselves as candidates. As for ou
selves, we are far from believing tn,
Mai. Barksdale and Col. Hooker are til
only persons competent to represent th
District.