River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1902-05-15
Our Congressman, j. j. Jenkins.

| our congressman - ~ y enh1nSs
Craftsmanship is ascience, learned
in the school Of experience. Books,
theories, the history of the past are
inadequate in this field of exploita-
ton. The ripe results of practical
experience are alone determinate
here.
In Congress it is the old hands
that are expert in the science. Nov
ices must take an apprenticeship
must begin with the alphabet, take
lessons from their seniors, the veter-
ans in service. So pronounced is
this observance of this regulation
that practically all the work of the
session is planned, outlined and de-
veloped by the older members, both
in the House and Senate. It fol-
lows, that, other things being equal,
the member of Congress of longest
service will have the most influence
with his associates and will accom-
plish the most for his district, his
state and the nation. In the Senate
the veterans in service-Aldrich,
Allison, Hoar, Spooner, Platt, Frye,
Quay, and Cullorn, among Repuhli-
cans, and Morgan, Vest, Tillman
and Daniel in behalf of the Demo-
Gratis, constitute practically the
whole ''push." The rule holds
equally good in the House. The
men of longest service initiate legis-
lation, and guide it to a successful
conclusion. In the House are few
men of national reputation, a repu-
tation attained only after long ex-
perience in the public service, while
the great majority in every Congress
districts, and many Of them but lit
tie known beyond the border of the
county in which they live. When
a member of Congress, who was Sc
lected for the position because Of his
ability, honesty and devotion to the
public service, manifests an aptitude
to learn and a disposition to study
and observe, he should be kept in
the service. These men exert an in
f1uence, accomplish something and
give standing and prominence to
their district and state. Notably
among men Of wide influence in
the House of Representatives in re-
cent years, most of whom are still
leaders in Congress, are: Payne Of
New York; Cannon, Hopkins and
Hit of Illinois; Tawney and Nc
Cleary of Minnesota; Champ Clark
of Missouri; Grosvener of Ohio
Dalzell and Grow of Pennsylvania
Richardson of Tennessee; Bailey O.
Texas; and Babcock and Jenkins O.
Wisconsin. Maine was long pre-
eminent in the House, represented
by such distinguished men as Blaine
and Reed and Dingley and Boutelle
These men have earned nationa
reputation as statesmen and they
have directed the policy OF the gov
eminent in legislation wisely fol
many years.
We are most intimately interested
in the selection of Representative
for our own district, the 18th flor
merly the 1oth) Wisconsin. On tn
| 18th of this month we are to nomi
nate candidate for election to Con.
ress from this district. John J. Jen
kins, Member of Congress from tn
10th district, will be nominated t.
represent this, the 10th district unde
the eleventh census, the nth unde
the Twelfth census, in the 58th Con
gress.
Mr.. Jenkins is now serving hi
fourth term, having been elected t
the 54th Congress in 1894 and re
elected to the 55th, 56th and SIT
Congresses, TO the last by a majorit
of 1883, the largest ever given j
the district. During his eight year