The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-03-16
Hon. Frank It. Shaw.

With the expiration of the term of President
Cleveland expired that also of the Hon. Frank
I. Shaw, Representative in Congress from
this district During Mr.. Cleveland 5 Admin
istration, which the future historian must
record as one of the purest and abiest the
country has ever known, and in marked con-
trast with those Immediately preceding 1t, DIR.
Shaw was one of its consistent, stauneh and
efficient advocates in the HOUSE. His first
term, in the 49th Congress, began with the
term of Mr.. Cleveland, and his second, in the
Fiaieth, carried him to its close. DIR. Shaw
was no blind follower of the President and his
policy, but agreeing with him and it, save in
the matter of the civil service, he gave both
his cordial and effective support. His forcible
speech in favor of tariff revision and revenue
reform was excelled by none during the great
tariff debate Of last year, and gave him high
rank as a close reasoner, deep thinker and
an eloquent speaker. Portions of it were
extensively copied throughout the country,
and in the wool growing sections and canning
centres few other speeches were so effectively
used by the advocates of free wool and free tin.
During his first term DR.. Shaw capacity and
industry were so marked that at the beginning
of his second he was placed at the head OF the
Committee on Accounts, one of the important
and influential committees of the House. aud
his work there viii compare favorably with
any of his predecessors. For four years be
was a member Of the Committee on Claims,
and the records of that committee will show
that he made more reports than any of his
associates, save one, and Included among his
reports was the able and exhaustive one on
the Maryland and Virginia claim for advances
to8he government in its early history.
In debate DR.. Shaw was ever ready, and
was always fully prepared to support his Po-
sition and to successfully combat all opPosi-
ton. He was not talkative member of the
House. He never spoke merely to attract
attention or to appear prominent, and
whenever be did claim the floor had ready
listeners.
DIR. Shaw has reason to feel proud Of his
record, and his district should feel grateful
for his services He labored zealously for the
interest of his constituents, and usually with
success. Ia the ups and downs Of politics it
often happens that useful Representatives are
retired at a time when their services would
be most efficient, and this has been the case
with DR.. Shaw. He was not returned to the
Fifty FIRST Congress, and many have been the
regrets that he was not. The ambition of an
unworthy aspirant on the one hand, and local
interests on the other, coaspired to the nom
iuation and election Of another Representative
Ia worthy successor, we believe-and he was
retired when his star was ascending, and
when his experience. capacity and ability
would have rendered his services to his
district, state and country more valuable.
Experience begets knowledge, and knowledge
is power. The leading men of Congress are
those who have been kept there for a number
Of terms, and those districts are best repre-
sensed whose members have bad the greatest
experience. Frequent elections are safe
guard Of liberty, but IL does no, follow that
the ends Of government are best subseryed by
frequent changes in public servants.