The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1889-08-20
SERVICE VS.. POLITICAL RONORs.

sh ip, to prove the mseves worthy and
competent. Like many other discussions,
the untenable extreme on each side IS
reached
The Banner, in very excellent leader,
contends that neither in this State or any
other State is experience required for po-
litical promotion. It's citations, however,
in proof of this conclusion, are manltestly
inaccurate. 1t speaks of Mr.. Clay and
MIR. Webster as entering the United
States Senate at very early ages and
without experience There are not many
Clays or Websters produced in this cOun-
try, yet these men were ilustrious before
entering the Senate.
Mr.. Clay served in the Clerks office of
the Court of Chancery. His great pow
ers gave him early prominence at the
Lexington bar as a lawyer, and the dis
cussion of the Constitution, which was
drawn up for the State of Kentucky,
brought him in contact with the people
of the entire State. His ability and IA
miliarity with great constitutional ques-
tions were demonstrated in that canvass,
and he was in 1903 chosen a member Of
the Legislature. 1t was three years after
ward that he was for fer months mem
Der of the Senate, and in 1908 was again
in the Legislature. In 1911 he entered
the House of Congress, where he re-
NAMED until elected to the United States
Senate.
1t is a great mistake to suppose that
Mr.. Webster entered the Senate with no
official training or experience behind
him." He had made himself famous
throughout the country by declarations
regarding the principals that underlied the
war Of 1912, and was twice a member of
the house of Congress. member of the
Massachusetts, Legislature short period
and member of her Constitutional Con-
vention before be was elected to the
United States Senate. His reputation
was established before he entered the
Senate.
The Banner is equally at fault as to
many of Florida's public men. 1t says :
"Governor BIoxham held no civil office
until he was repeatedly named for the
highest Office within the gift Of the peo-
pie Of this State" Governor Bioxham
had been member of the Legislature, a
member Of the State Executive Commit
tee, a Presidential Elector, Lieutenant
Governor, and Secretary of State before
he was elected Governor.
Governor Walker was Mayor of Tai
lahassee, member of the Legislature,
Commissioner OF Lands and Judge of
the Supreme Court before he was elected
Governor.
AS to Senators Jones, Call, Pasco, and
Representatives Davidson and Dougher-
ty, to whom the Banner refers, they were
al we'll known public men before they
were elected members Of Congress. No
man in the State was better known than
Mr.. Call, who had so often canvassed the
State and had been for years a candidate
for the United States Senate. Senator
Jones reputation IS a lawyer was estab-
lshed, and he had canvassed the State as
candidate for Congress and been a
member Of the Legislature before his ele
walton to the Senate. Mr.. Pasco had not
only been member Of the Constitutional
Convention and Legislature before his
election, but had also been a Presidential
Eector, aud for years Chairman OF our
Democratic State Committee, and can
didate before two State Conventions for
Governor. Col. Davidson had been a
member OF the State Senate. and for years
prominent as political worker and
speaker of the first order before he was
elected to the House Of Congress. The
same may be said Of Mr.. Dougherty. He
proved himself an excellent member of
the Legislature, and an admirable presid-
ing officer in that body before he was
nominated for Congress.
"Chief-J ustice Raney had absolutely
no experience on the bench until he was
appointed a member of the Supreme
Court" says the Banner. The best quail
itcation for the bench is to be a learned