The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-07-13
LGreenvilie Evening Democrat. J

Splendid Services gain IN Demand.
TGreenvii!e Evening ptEuocr&t.
One Of the most conspicuous figure
in Congress to-day is the talented, i'll
dus,rious and faithful member from
the Third Congressional district OF this
State, the Hon. George Johnstoue, OF
Newberry. He is very popular in
Washington, is always II his seat,
and is ever ready, by vote and voice,
to serve the best interests Of his coun-
try, particularly the South, and espc-
cially his native State Of South Caro-
lima that be loves so well. He and
Speaker Crisp, who, by the way, is a
Georgian, are about the same age and
are very fond Of each other. Mr. Crisp
shows bis appreciation Of him by hav-
ing called him to the chair TO preside
temporarily over the House not less
than dozen times during the present
session. This is very noticeable and
reflects credit upon Mr.. JohnstoAe
since, as is well known, this IS his first
time in Congress; and, what is more
noteworthy, this is the only instance
where this honor has ever been con-
ferred upon any member during h!s
first term. Speaker Crisp speaks of de-
clining a reelection this year, and If
he does, al! eyes are turned to his friend
Johnstone as his probable successor.
If this distinguished honor is conferred
upon him, it goes without saying that
he will fill it with credit to himself and
satisfaction to the country.
Mr.. Johnstone has a most clear, logl-
cal and analytical mind. Il is Ques-
tionable whether he has q peer as de-
batter in Congress to-day-Ee certainly
has no superior, IN what, in Congress,
is called ''rough-and-tumb!e" debate
an accomplishment very rare, and so
indispensable IL L We'll equipped Con-
gresham. Apart from his great abil-
tiles, be is IN close touch and sympathy
with the rural and agricultural people,
of which well nigh all his constituency
are composed. He is 4 farmer HIM
self, as we'll rs lawyer, and, hence,
knows how 10 sympathize with the
"horny handed sons Of tOil'' who make
their livelihood by the sweat OF their
brow. As an evidence of this he inVa-
riably casts his vote alongside Of the
Hon. G.. W. S.:,l., the Alliance man
and Farmers Movement man and the
beau ideal of the agricultural classes.
As before stated, this = Mr.. John
first term il Congress. All ad-
NIT that there is an uuwrit:en law, not
merely ir South Carolina, but al over
the United States, that z member IS
given his second term without opposi-
ton. This law, like all rules of the un-
written law, is founded in the most
obvious principles of common sense
and is the ''perfection OF reason"
Congress is large and, therefore, very
unwieldy BODY. There are three hum
dred and fifty-six members, in addi-
ton to the delegates from the terri
tories. Congressmen, while elected IN
November, do not begin their terms
which is only two years-till the sue
ceeding March. And then they do not
have to go to Washington to attend the
session of Congress till the following
December. And then, before serving
out the first session of thei" :rst tenn,
their successors are elected. Therefore,
if Congressman goes there only one
term, however great bis abilities, it is
simply impossible for him to become
sufficiently acquainted with the mem
bers, the modes Of procedure, and the
Departmental Washington to do full
Justice either to himself or his constitu-
ents. For instance, Mr. Johnstone did
not 90 to Washington to enter upon
the discharge of his duties till Decem-
Der last and now, before the adjourn
uent of his first session, his constitu-
ents are called upon to select his sue
cessor. We submit, with all Difference,
but with ali the emphasis that lam
guage can impart, that It would be
most unwise I'VE like to have said
criminaD for the good people cornpos-
ing the Third Congressional District to
fail to return him to Congress, in ac-
cordance with q. time -honored custom
of the Democratic party. And again,
we suggest, not, however, in any spirit
of dictation, that it would be the hand
some thing to return him ''without op-
position" Our latest advices from
there are to the effect that this will il
all probability be done. It is a ';con-
summation devoutly to he wished"