Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1901-05-10
CLAUDE A. SWANSON.
A FAVORED SON OF THE
OLD DOMINION.

" sl
1t is never the proper policy to
dispense with the services of good
man for that of an uncertainty. The
way men become proficient in a
business is by application and expe-
rience. What is good in business
sense is equally good politically.
Those who have held high positions
of honor and trust have invariably
rendered the best service if permitted
to hold their position for term of
years. The best legislation that this
country has ever had has invariably
been created by those who have had
term of years in the National
Legislature. 60 back for the past
thirty years and see who have been
the men who have made our best
political history and greatest national
advancement as conducted by Con-
gress. Take, for instance, many of
the leading members Of the House
OF Representatives who were elected
to Congress year after year until they
became not only the leaders of their
respective parties but always the
most fruitful in promoting whole
some legislation and defeating that
which would not be of the greatest
advantage to the greatest number.
The method of legislation in Con-
gress is complicated, and man must
serve more than one term before he
can hope to become familiar with
the way in which matters are con-
Quoted. There have been few cases
in the history of the nation where
representatives became at all prof.
cient in legislative matters short of
three or four terms. 1t is necessary
for representative 10 serve at least
that long before he can have any
great amount of influence in direct
ing legislation. 1t is not always
the representative who is the best
orator or the most experienced in
public debate that makes the best
member.
The representative of the Fifth
Congressional District of Virginia,
Mr.. Claude A. Swanson, ia one of
the most popular members of either
side of the House. He is now sery-
ing his fourth term as representa-
tive, and his record is good. Mr..
Swanson combines all the essential
elements to make not only an excel
lent member, but one who is destined
to WELD no little influence in matters
pertaining to his own State but to
those greater questions that concern
the welfare of the republic in gen.
eral. No man who ever served in
Congress has been more attentive to
his duties than Mr.. Swanson. The
test Of mans faithfulness to his
trust is that of being prepared to
vote upon every question, whether
of national import or of local impor-
tance. 1t is the voting that counts.
This is when the laws are made. Mr..
Swanson has never missed roll-call,
except when detained from his public
duties on account of illness, and
then ne has invariably been paired
with another member who would
vote differently from what Mr..
Swanson woald if he were present.
Mr.. Swanson, though a young
man, has taken high position in
Congress. In a political sense he
may with consistency be regarded as
one of the leaders of his party on
the floor of the House. There is
never a consultation among the
leaders that Mr.. Swanson is not
present. His advice and counsel are
not only freely given, but are solicited
by those much older in years and
longer in service. He is q thought
full, energetic, industrious, conscien-
tious member. There is never a
measure before the body that he does
not give it great study and investiga-
tion. No man can vote intelligently
upon any measure without giving it
much attention in advance.
1t is only by the most rigid scru-
tiny of measures that corrupt legis-
lation can be prevented. Mr.. Swan
son has the reputation in the House
ct being able to detect bills of this
character with the greatest prof.
cheney. The man who wishes to put
through Congress corrupt measure
is always afraid of Mr.. Swanson. 1t
is well understood by every member
of the House that the young Virgin
ian is always on the alert to prevent,
if possible, the passage of any
measure not consistent with public
good. He has earned the respect of
every member of the House, regard
less of party affiliations
Notwithstanding the present
Speaker is a Republican and the
leading officer of the House, Mr..