The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1902-05-22
A CONGRESSMAN'S INFLUENCE
His Power of being Useful increases
with the Length of His Time
In Office.

at is certainly astonishing" re-
marked a member of the house of rep
resentatives, according to the Wash
ington Star, how blind to their own
interests are the constituencies OF
some representatives This fact is es-
pecially borne in upon me about this
time of the year, when nominations
for the next congress are being made.
"A congressional representative il
of value to his constituents in just the
proportion that he can be useful to
them and serve their interests. The
power of being useful sonsists of these
things: Ability to secure legislation
affecting the local needs of the people
of his district or section; ability to Sc
cure departmental rulings affecting
his constituents and their interests;
ability to secure patronage for his
people from whatever source 1t may
exist.
After all, those are the chief ends
and aims of representative. 1t is as
sumed that he is patriotic and work
ing for the welfare of the whole coun-
try, but in these days when there are
so many conflicting interests in legis-
lation, his main duty is to the people
who elected him. He is public sery-
ant, literally.
Nov, the representatives. ability
to do the things set forth above de-
pend upon the influence obtained by
long service in congress When he
comes to congress his abilities will Sc
cure place for him in the line of pro-
motion, but in order to reach the goal
where he can be of use to his people
he must be retained in his seat.
ITO illustrate, John Doe is elected
to congress-; he is a man of impor-
tance in his section; he lives in the big
white house on the hill and is the fin
est lawyer in the county. Perhaps he
has served in the legislature and is
known even in the next district. When
he reaches Washington he finds he is
one of 357 others, most of them his
equal and many of them his superior
in the qualities which have brought
success in politics.
mfr Doe is ambitious to go in the
most influential committees. He wants
to break into national legislation
right away. But there are others be-
fore him whose claims must be consid-
cred, men who have been serving for
years in congress, who commenced at
the foot of the committee list and
have gradually moved up as vacancies
occurred.
$50, when the speaker announces
his appointments Mr.. Doe finds himself
at the bottom of the lists on number
of unimportant committees. lie is
lucky if he gets on even fourth-rate
committee, and no kind of chance will
he get on first-class committee.
IF his constituents are wise, how
ever, and keep him in congress, assum-
ing, of course, that he is efficient and
Industrious, within two or three
terms he will find himself up near the
top of the list. That is because so
many men are turned out of congress
at the end of every section, failing Of
denomination by their constituents.
Ultimately, Mr.. Doe finds himself near
the head of appropriations, of ways
and means, of rivers and harbors, Of
public buildings and grounds, OF judi
ciary, claims, or Indian affairs, or
military affairs, or whatever commit
tee is most closely identified with his
peoples affairs.
Next he becomes chairman. Then
he begins to WELD some influence in
Washington. Heads of the executive
departments discover that he is on
earth. He has the run of the white
house and sees his name mentioned in
important conferences of the rulers.
He has influence with his colleagues
on other imp6 'tant committees OF
the house, bee. use he can exchange
favors.
Just about this time, when he is Of
some practical value to his people, a
hue and cry is raised against him.
Turn him out, he has been in office
long enough Half dozen am
bilious young lawyers are anxious to
supplant him and stimulate the cry
of rotation in Office. He Is refused
nomination, and his successor comes
down to Washington next term to take
seat far back in the rear, TO jog along
for years before gaining the position
a .nL @AL a