The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-10
LENGTH OF SERVICE IN CONGRESS.

TO the detriment of better varieties or
finny occupants.
LENGTH OF SERVICE IN CONGRESS.
The Washington Post. evidently speaking
from authoritative information, says that
Mr.. Hemenway. of this State. will. as chair
man of the committee on appropriations.
be the actual floor leader of the majority in
the next House. 1t has been known for
some time that Mr.. Hemenway was slated
for chairman of the committee on appro-
priations. but the other part of the an
nouncement is in the nature of news. Here
tofore the floor leadership of the majority
has always been accorded TO the chairman
of the ways and means committee, but 1t
seems to be conceded that Mr.. Hemenway
has earned the distinction. and on all i'm
portant occasions it will be conceded him.
The Post says:
When legislation of note Is under consid-
Grafton in which the speaker is concerned,
from whatever committee 1T may come, MI
Hemenway will be the man to fight II or aid
IL. as the speaker and the best interests OF
the party may seem to indicate. 1t Will
really be a high honor for the lndianian, q
IL would be for any member for that matter
important man in the House. next to the
speaker.
Commenting on Mr. Hemenway's prospec-
tive promotion and the advanced position of
other members of the Indiana delegation,
the Post says the State has obtained COM
manding position in the House through its
good sense in keeping the representatives in
office long enough to permit them to be-
come factors in legislative affairs. In addf-
ton to Mr.. Hemenway, Representatives
Lands and Overstreet are mentioned as
cases in point, both of whom have reached
positions of leadership through aptitude for
public affairs, length of service and expert
ence by following the example set by
Maine and Iowa." says the Post. 1.-The Hoo
sier State is more in evidence in Congress
than ever before in its history" The fact
is something more than an occasion for
State pride or temporary complacency. 1t
shows the Importance to the State and its
people and to the country at large of con-
tinuing capable representatives In Congress
as long as they are willing to serve and con-
tinue to do so faithfully. AS rule the
much in the House. The traditions of the
House require that he should serve a sort
of apprenticeship. He Is usually assigned
low places on important committees, and.
iguratively speaking. must take back seat
Recognition, influence and leadership only
come with length of service and experience.
A constituency that changes its representa-
tives every two or four years need not ex-
pect to have any standing or influence in
the House. Indiana has had three speakers
of the House, and in each case the recipient
of the honor had served several terms and
filled important positions on committees be-
fore reaching the highest honor. Hon. John
W. Davis served four terms and was re-
elected to a fifth term before he was
elected speaker. Hon. Michael c. Kerr was
elected for fifth term when he was chosen
speaker. Hon. Schuyler Colfax served ten
years before he was elected speaker, and
was speaker during three successive Con-
who have been elected speaker have all
served as long or longer-Hon. Galusha A.
Grow twelve years. Hon. James G. Blaine
eight years and was speaker eight years,
Hon. Samuel j. Randall fourteen years and
was speaker four years, and so on AS able
a man as Hon. John G. Carlisle, of Ken
lucky, served six years before he was elect
| ed speaker. and. like all the others named
he did great deal of hard committee work
| before his leadership acknowledged
Hon. Joseph G. Cannon, speaker of the next
House, has been in Congress continuously
since 1873. having served fourteen terms and
been reelected fifteenth. In a body con-
tanning at all times so many men of decided
ability those Of longest service will. other
things being equal, have the most influence
in shaping legislation and be able to serve
| their constituencies best. 1t follows, OF
course, that frequent changes lower the
average standard of the House and Of the
standing of State delegation. The rule
with all constituencies should be, having
found a good representative. to continue Il
re-elect him as long as his usefulness con
tinues, with the assurance that every add
tional term adds to his influence.