Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-03-29
A coNGREssMAM's INFLUENCE.
It Grows in Proportion to His Length
of Service


at IS certainly astonishing" remarked a
member of the House of Representatives,
how blind to their own interests are the
constituencies of some representatives. This
fact is especially borne in upon me about
this time of the year, when nominations
for the next Congress are being made.
"a congressional representative is of
value to his constituents in just the pro-
portion that he can be useful to them and
serve their interests. The power of being
useful consist of these things: A5'"ty to
secure legislation affecting the local needs
of the people of his district or section; abiI-
ity to secure departmental rulings aft act-
ing his constituents and their interests;
ability to secure patronage fo~ his people
from whatever source it may exist.
After all, those are the chief ends and
aims of a representative 1t is assumed
that he is patriotic and working for the
welfare of the whole country, but IN these
days when there are so many conflicting
interests in legislation, his main duty is to
the people who elected him. He is a public
servant, literally.
Now, the representatives. ability to 90
the things set forth above depends upon
the influence obtained by long service in
Congress. When he comes tn Congress
his abilities will secure place for him in
the line Of promotion, but in order to reach
the goal where he can be of use to his peo-
pie he must be retained in his seat.
ITO illustrate, John Doe dis elected to
Congress; he is q man of Importance in
his section; he lives in the big white house
on the hill and IS the finest lawyer in the
county. Perhaps he has served in the leg
islature and is known even in the next dis
trict. 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 sue
cess in politics.
Mr.. Doe is ambitious to go in the most
influential committees He wants to break
into national legislation right away. But
there are others before him whose claims
must be considered, men who have been
serving for years in Congress. who com
menced at the foot of the committee list
and have gradually moved up as vacancies
occurred.
80 when the Speaker announces his ap-
pointments Mr. Doe finds himself at the
bottom of the lists on a number of unm-
portant committees. He is lucky if he gets
| on even a fourth rate committee, and no
| kind of chance will he get on a first-class
committee.
eff his constituents are wise, however
and keep him in Congress, assuming, OF
| course, that he is efficient and industrious,
| within two or three terms he VIII 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 session, fail
| ing of denomination by their constituents
| Ultimately, Mr.. Doe finds himself Mar the
! head of appropriations, of ways ard means
| of rivers and harbors, of public buildings
and grounds, of judiciary, claims, or Indian
| affairs, military affairs, or whatever
committee is most closely identified with
| his peoples affairs.
Next he becomes chairman. Then he be-
| gins to WELD some influence in Washing
ton. Heads of the executive department!
| 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 col
leagues on other important committees O.
the House, because he can exchange favors
Just about this time, when he is o
some practical value to his people hui
and cry is raised against him. Turn Kin
out, he has been in office long CROUCH.
| Half dozen ambitious young lawyers are
anxious to supplant him and stimulate tn
| cry of rotation in office. He Is refused
| nomination, and his successor comes down
| to Washington next term to take seat ia
| back in the rear. to jog along fer year
before gaining the position of inf1uenc
| which the other man had won By mare
| work and SeniOritv''