Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-02-03
Making and Wasting Congressman.
BY JOHN TEMPLE GRAVES.

until his usefulness is weakened or
stroyed.
Every year Of experience adds TO b
value. every term of service is an ed
cation in equipment, and the real us
fulness of the man is only at its 2
NTH when he has -had-the traini1
which gives him the power TO bril-
things to pass.
There are some foolish and shorI
sighted people who are blind enouf
to believe that the offices of this cou
try were created chiefly to give an
bilious young fellows a chance to ma
a name and a fortune in the publ
service. 1t is the selfish shibboleth +
the politicians that there should be r
tation in office, and that when OF
man has held office for a given tim
he should be retired to give some OF
er fellow a pull at the public teat.
There never was a principle so chod
full of tomfoolery and public dangf
as this.
Suppose that any-ordinary businef
man should conduct his business upd
this poncy. Suppose that a mercha1
or a banker or a railroad man or
planter should employ a servant Z
supposed fitness for especial worI
give him a few years OF training
the business, and as soon as he b
came efficient and useful and undeI
stood his business should turn him q
to give some other young and untris
fellow "a chance The neighbof
and contemporaries Of such businel
man would very properly characteI
lie him as a fool. and his businel
would inevitably suffer the consequel
ces of his absurd folly.
What is this government, but CRED
big business corporation run TO pro
mote the interests and prosperity
the people who are its tax payers an
stockholders?
And why should the sound princip'
of Industrial business men be throw
to the winds at the clamor of pol
ticians in the great business house
popular government?
1t is one of the things that this ef
lightened and material age is teacI
ing. and one OF the things that Il
are sure to learn that the offices
this country are not created as a prif
to be scrambled for by every ambiq
Gus young fellow who thinks he
fitted to shine in public station, 81
were established in the wisdom OF q.
fathers. and under the genius OF frf
government, for the great and tram
cendent purpose Of carrying on q
vital business of the people with
wisest. best trained and most reliabi
employees that popular intelligence ca
discover and elect.
II this principle be true-and 1t ca
not be gainsaid-what unspeakaDE
folly to be changing tried and prove
servants OF the people for untried
pirants whose merit and capacity ~
be existent, but must necessarily
undeveloped and unprovenl
And If this was ever true at any TIM
It is true at this time in our country
history when we are fronted with u
gravest crisis, and have at stake n
most vital interests of morals ana 1
money and OF historyl
And II this is true in any time
public service 1t is especially and mol
ably true in congressional represehti
ton when all these great issues nav
their largest trial and must find tneI
wisest solution.
There are members Of our own Geol
gia delegation in congress 70 Wno1
this wise and common sense PONG
should apply.
1t is not my purpose TO take an
part in the personal issues betweel
candidates or to NEEDLE IN campaign
which do not concern me.
What l am after is the great prlh
ciple of lettering and establishing tn
public service on the same lines
which wise and prudent business me
manage their individual affairs.
The scriptural injunction to prov
all things, and hold fast to that wnlo
is good" may be applied as pointedl
to men as TO principles.
I have the common interest OF a en-
zen in the nature, character az
training of the public men who repre
sent nv country and represent ma
am tired of the small fellows tna
20 about in candidate form pleading
This fellow has had 1t long enough
Turn him out and let me In. an
when 1 have had it a little while,
will get out and let some other fello1
inn
In all the literature of politics Their
is no demagogy so cheap as this.
The people who listen to balderdas
like this establish their own foil
and their deep unworthtness Of th
blessings of good government.
Let this be the motto of the tnteli
gent voter in the future: Prove a
public men and hold fast to those WI
are good!"