Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31
Hager in Congress.

Not long since the Gazette took the
liberty to remark that the efficient and
able congressman from the Ninth dis
trict, Hon. A. l.. Hager, had made a
most enviable reputation during the six
years which have elapsed since he be-
came member of the house; that the
experience and contact acquired in the
discharge of such duties to man of
Mr.. Hager's stalwart and vigorous per-
sonality has not only made him valu-
able member of the house but most
efficient representative tOf all of Iowa
as we'll as of the Ninth district. We
said, too, that the indications seemed
to bepointing toward his denomination.
To those truthful observations the
Express gives a sneering reply and
challenges the Gazette to state "what
Mr.. Ilager has ever done" this being a
suggestion, of course, that Mr.. lager
has done nothing. We feel free to
relate u few things in reference to our
contemporary question, that Mr..
Hager has and has not done. He has
not carried with him to Washington
the idea that the congress of the United
States is a state legislature; he did not
go to congress loaded with bills, reso-
buttons, addresses, :: constitutional
/ amendments and the other impedi
mentia which novices may believe are
essential to a congressman usefulness
| but which the informed know are the
machinery by which the inexperienced
members make themselves obnoxious
and destroy their influence. Nor did
he go to congress impressed with the
idea that his voice should be heard on
all occasions. Hager went to congress
as the active, amiable gentleman that
! he is, to strive and grow by the natural
process of congressional precedence in
to his present position of serviceability
, and influence. When he has addressed
, congress he has had the ear of congress,
} and he has spoken many times eloquent
: ly, fittingly, with clear and discerning
mind and a comprehensive understand
l ing of his subject. Otherwise Mr..
Hager has given to the details of his
business as q congressman a degree of
attention which has been the good for
tune of the Ninth district and the good
people who are his constituents. Did
we care to go to the pains, we could
record for the benefit of our Red Oak
contemporary the votes of Mr.. Hager
: since he entered congress on all import
ant public questions. He has, so far as
Q we have followed him, voted uniform
Q lily with intelligence and wisdom and
r therefore voted right. Mr.. Hager is
the chairman of two standing commit
tees, not the most important ones, very
true, but for a member of his length OF
n service, this fact is one which shows
Q that his services are priced in legisla
n ton. Hager has been in congress si'
y years. Mr.. Dingley. the chairman Of
y the ways and means, has been in con
= gress fifteen years. Mr.. Cannon, o.
= appropriation, has served term o.
"a twenty four years. Colonel Henderson
Is and Colonel Hepburn, who have tn,
r most important chairmanships of tn,
y Iowa delegation. have been in congress
l. for many years. Speaker Reed ha
70 been incongress twenty. two years. TIL
:, ! brilliant Dolliver, who has served sine
I. the fifty first congress, has no chair
IA manship, nor has Mr.. Curtis, who EN-
le tered congress with Hager. Mr.. Hage
is strong man and the manner il
a. which he has done his duty in congress
ig is deserving of all praise. Onenterin
y congress he redeemed his district iron
- the democrats at the end of u magnif
o. cent campaign. MIR. IIayer is the las
in man who ought to be an object of tn
d. sneering reproach that he has "jon
A nothing" He has done his duty will
al out fear or favor, and he has done
no well.-Creston Gazette.