Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1890-08-19
TIE CONGRESSIONAL QUESTION

Jus: now there i, a good deal being said
and ritten on the subject OF washing
tons next representative in the lower
house Of congress. The subject has been
forced at this early date by the fact that
there has arisen on the other side of the
mountains a fight for the nomination and
election between our present representa-
tive and Judge Turner. and the latter
seems 10 be pushing his fight with great
vigor. and with some show Of success in
spokane county. 1t is not the purpose of
the HERALD al this time 10 take sides in
the controversy, although later we will
have something to say upon the subject.
Washington j. new state just in the
process OF development. and It's geograph-
ical situation. its industries and it, small
representation all combine to make il a
matter of great importance that the very
best representative should be chosen.
The matter of our commerce, the amount
and great variety of our public lands, the
improvement of our postal aud revenue
systems, and tle Importance Of surveying
our harbors and improving our naviga-
ton by proper lights aud signals. make
the business which ought to be transacted
in congress and before the various depart
ments greater than that Of many Of the
older states. and yet we nave but a single
repre- entative in the lower house, while
all the older states, or nearly all Of them.
have more than one and some OF them
have many.
Another thing which makes il more diff
fcult 20 secure the proper legislation Is
the fact that we are situated at such a
great distance from the more populous
state that their representatives do not
understand our situation or our necessi-
ties. and 90 is therefore much more diff
cult u procure assistance from them.
We believe that. a. general rule. where
a state has but single representative
that very much can bee gained by return
ing him for several successive terms
rather than by the election Of a new man
every rwo years. When We are once salts
fed thar We have a good man with faii
ability, possessed Of industry and honesty
and having those qualities which are vel
calculated to make him personally popu.
lar with his fellow members. We ought e
keep him, but II the people are satisfied
that they have not such a representative
then they ought TO procure one.
Personal friendships and personal am.
billions have a tendency toward making
the mass Of people underestimate the fac
that representing a great state in tn,
hall, of congress Is business. and not
mere matter Of enjoying high honor con
ferrcd by a political party. II takes I
long time to become acquainted with tn,
representatives Of other states, and Il
learn the relations of men and of pro
posed measures. and one cannot hav
much influence until these things are ac
compli,hed. ordinarily the representa-
lives real usefulness begins just abou
the time his term ends: "A new man goe
in TO repeat his experience and the peopl
complain that but little is accomplished
We esteem both Mr.. Wilson and ,Judg
Turner very highly and repeat that W
are not now trying to advocate the nomi
nation or election ofeither, but would Xix
to contribute something toward havin
our people comprehend the importance {
the subject, and toward having them TAX
hold o. the matter as they would of an
other in which they have large Interest
AT sraka