Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-09-26
A coNeREssMAN's DUTIES.

1t is a common thing nowadays
for a certain class of people, when
referring to men in public life, to ask
with great air of Importance, What
has he done for the people? Can you
show me some specific act of his that
has directly benefited his constitu-
ents? In the minds of such persons,
a Congressman, for instance. is OF no
account unless he can point to certain
important measures which have been
successfully carried through Con
gress by his personal efforts, the re-
suit of which is TO confer some par
ticular boon upon his own section
and to give them benefits above all
others.
The Republican newspapers OF this
Congressional district-or a part OF
them-and q few one-horse would-be
statesmen, want TO know what Hon.
Vim. l.. Wilson has done for his
people. They want to know" but
they inquire with an air that plainly
shows they have no desire to be con
WINGED and have already made up
their minds that their questions can
not be answered. They may agree
that he has been instrumental in OBJ
tanning large appropriations for the
improvements of the rivers OF our
State, but they want to know why
he hasn't done something to raise the
prices of produce. They will acknowl-
edge that he has successfully aided in
establishing public buildings through
out his district, but they want to
know" why he hasn't arranged way
to lift the mortgages from the farms
therein. They do not deny that in all
the small personal matters which he
has been asked to attend to before
Congress he has been the soul OF
courtesy and the embodiment of indus
try, but they want to know why 1t
is that money is scarce and times are
hard.
We do not know who is the worst-the
man who thinks a Congressman should
devote all his time to the furtherance
of petty claims, or the one who thinks
he ought to have within himself the
power to regulate at will all the IN
tricate problems that vex even the
people of this great government.
Both are extremists, and both will
probably remain long unsatistied.
We believe our able Representative
from this district, Mr.. Wilson, comes
as near the ideal Congressman as any
man in that body. Although he does
not fall short in the minor duties of
Representative in the arena of true
craftsmanship he stands pre-eminent.
In upholding the great principles OF
free government, in defending the
people against the reckless tide that
now and again threatens the liberties
of the people, in striving TO advance
the welfare of the nation, in resisting
the encroachment of evils that entice
while they would destroy, in battling
for the cause of true democracy, in
struggling to maintain for the people
their priceless heritage of freedom in
all things, he is doing a giants work.
In such hands as his, our government
is safe. With such leaders at the
front, no foe cali assail our rights.
With such guardians on watch, no
thief can fitch our freedom. His work
may not be so greatly appreciated
now, but when the name of the dem
agogue has been. long forgotten, when
those who have been forced to the
front by politicians tricks have per-
ished in oblivion, when those who
have strayed away after false gods
have had their little day and are done,
his name and his work will remain a
proud remembrance to the people
who honor and are honored of him.
William l.. Wilson is statesman
Let the people keep him in the front
rank of those who battle for their
country's welfare