Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1888-05-17
COMMUNICATED.
WASHINGTON, May, u, 1885.

WASHINGTON May, IL, 1885.
SIRs In few days the voters Of
Filth Congressional District will be
called upon to select their representa-
tive III the 5lst Congress. Who will
1t be?
Before deciding upon this most i'm
portant matter, would it not be well
to give thought to the manner OF
men who have represented and ms
represented the District for the past
sixteen years
When man Is selected to repre-
sent a constituency, it is understood,
believe, that self must be sacrificed
to the public good, the people must be
cared for and their wants or the
wants of the District be paramount
Such, at least, ID promised by the
party nominee. Let us see then what
manner of men have represented US
and how they have kept the letter Of
their promise.
For sixteen years | have been here
aud watched with no little interest
our particular w-makers.
Sixteen years ago the Republican
party was at its lenith. Blaine was
Speaker and the North was represent
ed by galaxy Of brilliant men, the
South by scallawags, carpet baggers
and few Negroes
( The Democrats under their able
leader, the Hon. Samuel Randall, 10
whom more than any other man they
owe their present ascendency, nun
bered not more than forty, among
whom were S. S. Cox, l.. q. c. Lamar,
Proctor Knott and Matthews Merrick,
whose defeat the next year robbed
Maryland of the Speakership.
In the defeat of Judge Merrick the
people of our District lost most able
representative and the only Democrat
who could have won the Speakership
from Randall. So, at least, Mr.. Ran.
dali told me when speaking of Mer-
rick's defeat. Mistake No. |, for the
Fifth District. Any Northern constit-
uency would have recognized the
ability Of their representative and
returned him to honor them.
After Merrick came good, gentle
Mr.. Albert, who was no antagonist
for the schemers of his own party and
who said he would not try for re-
nomination since he was unable to do
anything for his constituency unless
he battered his vote. 81 can't get a
place as door keeper or watchman
unless promise to give my support
to some scheme. And when his
term expired the good, grey man"
was seen no more about the halls OF
the Capitol.
In his place We had, for two terms,
| think, Henkle, who was, as far as
Henkles own interests were at stake
fine working representative but
for his constituency he could DO
notking-"No influence with this Adj
ministration. Yet he had influence
enough to get placed upon a certain
Committee-a Committee then much
IN demand and whose members had
a fine opportunity to look out for
No. l.
Henkle to Holton" was a change,
but can any one point out a local
measure that was attributable to his
| Holton' interest or influence No,
lie was elected, brought his family to
Washington and did Society" He
was quite wealthy, and his entertain
ments were recherche but not repre-
sentative Of his constituency. He
enjoyed social life, but public meas
ures bored him and he was heard to
say, 81 did moi want the Office. II
was forced upon NE, and will not
worry myself about people ! DON'T
care tor: Quite useful representa-
tive truly.
Ho.ton made his bow and exit.
Enter Col. Chapman II. "attoned
for greatness by bow and retired
"unhorored and uusuug, i: not "un. +,
loved
All these the PEOPLE of our poor dis |
trlct tried aud found wanting in deyo-
ton TO their interest and turned to
one who for years had held position
OF honor and responsibility, vet upon
whose fair name there was no spot or
b!emish to one whose every interest
was identified with their own. Per
tectly acquainted with the needs of
his constituency he came prepared to
battle for them and from the day
Barnes Compton took tue oath to rep
resent the Fifth District in Congress
be has lahored TO fulfil il.
People will cry out what has be
done more than the Others? Itwould
take pages to tell what he has doue.
what he has tIlcd to do, and what he
IS doing. For four years has he been
elected and more than three Of the .
our have expired, yet he has accom-
,lished more for the good Of his constit-
ieucy than any representative Lover ;
Maryland has had for yeals The ex-