The Teton peak. [volume] (St. Anthony, Idaho) 1899-1904, 1904-02-18
X Republican Success.

NS pttDlt d. tii' sue ESS.
For ten long years the Republi-
cans have remained il control Of
the House without Democratic H.
reference: This .act has emnl1a-
sized to many Of the Western States
the Importance of keeping their
good men Ill Congress as long as
these men are willing to stav. A
glance over the names of the mem
bers holding chairnanships of the
most important committees in both
the House AID the Senate shows
only Toe clearly how decidedly i'm
portant IS the question of tenure OF
olflce i'll both ot these bodies. The
Western States i'll which the poll
teal conditions are unsettled and
changing, cut but little figure in
government legislation. The men
at the helm Of The Government
whose potent influence pervades all
Legislative channels,> are those
whose terms OF office have been
long ard interrupted. 1t is inter
e~tlng to note that a remarkable
change has taken piece in the head
OF committees. BY closely follow
ing the policy Of keeping its best
men continuously i'll Congress, the
middle West has attained a preetni-
ne1it position il both houses. Death
has invaded the ranks of the dele
cations from eastern states and the
vacancies have been filled gradu-
ally by the old members from the
middle West. 1t was not long ago
that Maine occupied preeminent
place i'll both houses. Today Iowa,
Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin and In
diana outrank her Coming over
the important committees it is not
cd that New York is favored with
nine chairmanships. The nine
members Of tlat state have an ag-
gregate 'ei 4 OF tfice of 11S years.
Illinois comes next with eight
clairnanships, her eight members
having served an aggregate of 13
years. Ohio S eight members &C.
cupying chairmanships have served
60 years; Iowa's six, 93 years;
Wisconsin's seven, SO years; In
diana six, 46 years; and Mime
sofa S three, 33 years. In the fifty
fifth Congress when Names dele
CATION was so prominent, the
average service of her mempbers
was 221a years, but one resigna-
ton, two deaths, and one case of
insanity compelled her to send new
men to the House, and the state
lost its prestige.
These facts are advanced as adj
vocating long tenure of office. 1t
is proper that the people should
have an opportunity to pass on the
congressional record at least every
two years, but if the record is good
and the Congressman develops ele-
meats of growing influence and
power, he should be returned.
he story ol influence in Congress
is a story OF long service. The far
western states are we'll represented,
but unfortunately the ma lority of
their members are new. Where the
states have wisely continued men
in office they have benefited there
by 1t is but too evident, however,
that the important principle of sell
Getting strong, forceful men for
Congress and keeping them there
has been subordinated only too
often to unwise political disagree
ments resulting in frequent changes
in the delegations. II the Republi-
can party maintains its integrity IN
the Senate and the House ior an
other long period, and there is
every indication that it will, it will
more greatly rebound to the benefit
of the far western states TO return
to Congress the present members Of
that party who are daily growing
in experience and III value to their
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