The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-27
x,rrox.I REPRESENTATIVE.

In a recent number the Philadelphia
Evening Telegraph, leading organ Of the
Republican party at the North, refers with
expressions Of approval to the disposition
Of the Southern people 10 elect the ablest
men TO be found in their different districts
as their representatives in Congress; and
1t proceeds in strong terms to condemn the
practice which has prevailed in so many
parts Of the Northern States to choose repre-
sentatiyes who have no special aptitude for
the legislative work which they are called
upon to perform.
"The SOUTH" it says, "has no better,
ADLER men than the North, but it sends bet
ter, ADLER men to Congress than the North
does; and just so long as the latter is salts
lied to be represented by inferior men, it
should not be objected that it Is not repre-
scented as well as the South is. There are, OF
course, men of ability in Congress from the
North; but they are the exceptions, whereas
in the South they are not exceptions.
1t is the very general impression Of
the people of the North that any
bldy is good enough for Congress
mln; and consequently anybody and
everybody are sent as national representa-
tives, without the slightest regard TO their
ability to discharge the high duties OF law
makers. The Southern people select with
thought and care the men they want to rep
resent them in Congress, and the result is
superior body Of legislators, who, though
few in number, exercise the dominating
power. If the North does not like this it
can easily change tit has only 10 be as
careful in choosing its members Of Congress
as the South is"
So far there has been a decided inclina-
ton on the part Of the people Of many Of the
Northern States 10 select as their represent
atives men who have risen TO distinction in
business affairs; men who have exhibited
unusual ability in the accumulation OF
property. \ larger degree Of importance
has hitherto been attached to this kind Of
capacity by the North than by the South,
and it has followed that very large pro-
portion Of the representatives sent to Con-
gress from the Northern States have had no
qualities that were specially useful in a
legislative body.
In the South, on the other hand, the dis
tricts being with few exceptions rural dis
tricts, covering wide area of country, in
which a man. TO rise 10 sufficient promi.
nence 10 be elected to Congress must have
talent OF a higher order than usual, there
has always been tendency to nominate
men whose abilities were Of kind to bring
them conspicuously forward in legislative
assembly. This was notably the case in the
period that preceded the war, and it is still
the case TO a striking degree in the present.
1t is not improbable, however, that the
best talents Of the Southern, as Of the North
ern States, will hereafter be absorbed in
purely business affairs. Already the South
has produced number Of men who have
won a national reputation by their remark
able capacity in this direction, and such
men will appear more and more frequently
In the future Formerly the men Of the
highest order Of talents were drawn into
the political field as furnishing the amplest
room tor the display OF their abilities. AS
time goes on this inclination will fall off,
but it is TO be hoped that it will never fall
OF to the degree Of which the Telegraph
complains in its reference to the general
intellectual character OF the men selected |
by the people Of the North to represent
them in Congress.