The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1890-02-27
A QUESTION FOR THE PEOPLE.

QUESTION FOh The FEOFLEs
In view of the approaching cleo
tions, it would be we'll for the people
of this district to look closely at the
record of Mr.. J. M. Brewer. Let US
note carefully what he has done and
what he has failed to do, and judge
for ourselves whether he has represent
ed us we'll or i'll whether he is a sue.
cess or a failure as a congressman
whether or not he deserves to be re-
elected next November.
We all remember that when he was
making his canvass he abused the
Democrats for not repeating the In.
ternal Revenue laws. We also re-
member that he promised great things
if he were elected. He left the i'm
preston on the minds of the people
that he would repeal those irksome
laws.
Of course he knew, and every iutel-
igent man krew,that he would be but
an atom in Congress and that his
puissant arm would be as unable to
keep his rash promises as to pitch the
capitol into the Potomac. But, after
making those promises to the people,
it was certainly to be expected that he
would have made an effort to fulfill
them. Has he done it? Let us
see.
Soon after he was indicted into of.
fee he introduced bill to abolish the
Internal Revenue laws. He also in
troduced bill to repeal the tobacco
tax. And then he folded his little
hands and sat back, satisfied that he
had done his duty to his people.
His bills were referred to one of the
numerous committees and it was care
fully placed in pigeon hole, where it
now lies, dust-covered and yellow with
age. If Mr.. Brewer has ever made an
earnest effort to have that bill brought
before the House and acted on we do
not know it. The letters and teleg-
rams from Washington have never re-
corded it.
1t was left for Col. Cowles, the
Democratic congressman from the Sth
NC. district to introduce bill to re-
ieve the people from the grind Of the
Revenue machine. He is the man
who .orced Congress to consider the
bill in serious light. The Republi-
cans killed it, of course. Mr.. Brewer
voted for lie, of course. He had to, if
he had made any pretence of keeping
his promises. This vote was like the
feeble "Amen" squeak of a little weak
kneed fellow over in the corner of a
church, after some great, strong,
honest man has offered an earnest
prayer.
The next we hear of Mr.. Brewer,
he is posing as candidate for Speaker
of the House. He has forgotten all
about the Internal Revenue, and only
seeks notoriety for himself. He threat
ems to vote with the Democrats and
turn the organization of the House
over to them unless he gets recogni-
ton. What was the result? Why,
Harrison goes to him and says: "Look
here, Mr.. Brewer, you are doing us
damage. If you will keep quiet we
will let you say who shall be postmas.
tiers and revenue officers in your dis
trict."
Then Mr.. Brewer quoted himself,
and from that day to this the only
news we have heard from Mr.. Brewer
was little squib in the Mt. Airy
Nears, saying that "The Hon. John M.
Brewer has been home on visit
In writing out his record above,
THE SENTINEL has tried to be fair.
We have not consciously omitted any
of his great public acts And still the
revenue goes on, and Mr.. Brewer is
quiet!
In the light of these flcts,we wish to
ask the people of this district if Mr..
Brewer has kept his promises Has
he done faithful duty Does he de-
serve to be returned to Congress ?
We think not