The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-10-28
Mr.. Bh,F,Ah,urd Point.

49, AAAAAH@ Hst----
Mr.. Jasfson V Blair could find little
in Captain Dovener's congressional
career to criticise save that he had been
eabsent from Htty-LwO roll calls in the
last congress;" and pledged himself, IL
elected. 10 be present at all roll calls.
This absurdity reveals Mr.. Rlair's lack
OF knowledge Of the proceedings OF Con-
Eress. and when he crIticlsss Captain
povener because his name does not APP
pear in ffty-two OF the hundreds OF roll
calls Of a session ~ congress--some-
times there are score Of them in a sim
Gle day-he adopts an argument which
he could use against any member of
Congress and the most faithful Of them
all. regardless of party
To any one who knoWu anything what
ever about congressional proceedings,
SIR. Blair'e point Is ridiculous, and Il he
IS fortunate enough to ever be member
o. Congress he will find out inside of a
week how absurd the point is. He will
have great macy things to learn
among them being the tact that It IS an
inpossibllity for any member Of Con-
eress to perform mis- duties and be pres
ent at every roll call, or without missing
q large number of them.
The record of roll calls does not tnai-
cate In the slightest deg e that a con-
gressman isn't attending to his duties.
Let Mr.. Blair take UP the record Of any
representative. Democrat or Republican
and demonstrate this fact for himself
A constant attendance on roll calls IS the
surest evidence In the world that the
member IL the smallest potato In the
congressional hill.
A school-boy knows this much. Mem
bers-alI OF them-have committee duties
20 perform. a copy OF the congression-
al Record does not chronicle that a
member's absence from r1 call, which
NAV be perhaps ordered as the result OF
6uIbnstering tactics, or which may be
upon some unlmportant question. ls due
often TO the fac, that he is, MT a hum
dred feet away, working in his commit
tee which is preparing legislation for the
house to act upon. Captain Dovener is
member OF some OF the most import
ant committees Of the mouse, and Of one
in which he had opportunity TO accom-
plIsh for his constituency, for the ma
terlal welfare OF the state, and for the
great upper Ohio valley, service for
which ne has received recognition and
tribute from our great commercial and
industrial interests
ItIsIn the committee room that con-
gresham performs the details of his
work and not while sitting IN his seat
listening to debates and waiting to an
aver roll calls. when close votes are
taken. and when every vote IS needed,
he IL within call and can be present at
moments notice. but unless that emer-
rency comes there lie no necessity for
bIs presence except TO make : quorum,
II one be lacking. II Mr. Blair should
be chosen TO Congress he would discover
that the real duty OF n congressman
isn't always performed on the floor and
that the principal work Of Congress is
done In committee rooms. Even-ab-
sence from Washington on leave, doesn't
deprive a member Of his vote, for he is
palred on ali Important questions, where
there are divisions. with a member OF
the opposition, and the pair is duly
chronIeled.
over in the Second district Mr.. Nc
oraw started out To arralgn Mr.. Dayton
for his absence at roll calls. It simply
served 10 give Mr.. Dayton an oppnrtu-
nifty to show that during the late session
OF Congress, while preparations FOR war
and actual war were going on. he was