Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-05-11
NEW MEN AT DISADVANTAGE.
@. II. Robb Tells Why Congressman
Haskins Should Be Returned.

In a letter TO the Bellows Falls Times,
Charles II. Robb, formerly Of Brattle'
boro aud Bellows Falls and well known
in this county, now assistant attorney
general in the department Of justice
ut Washington, gives few sound rea'
sons why Kittrcdgc Haskins, the pres
ont representative TO congress from TINS
district, should be returned in spite OF
various rival claims, Mr., Robb says
The second congressional disiric, will
soon be called upon 10 decide the very I'M
portant question whether the services OF
one who has just reached that point In his
congressional experience where he can DO
more and accomplish more for his constiiu'
ents than any new man possibly could are
TO be retained for another term.
Because Of my desire to see our district
represented by a man who can and VIII
best represent ~, and because Of the excep'
tional opportunities have had for observ'
ing conditions here In. Washington. | ven
ture 10 express an opinion In respect 10
the matter.
have known Colonel Haskins for more
than 40 years read law in his Office. and
am. therefore, thoroughly competent 10
Judge Of his abilities. Owing 10 the Official
positions which I have held in Washington
il has been possible for me to closely follow
his congressional career and to be APP
prised Of the opinion concerning him Of the
members Of the house Of representatives and
officials In the various executive departments
Of the government
II must be remembered that there are 400
members Of the house Of representatives.
that each one has been selected because OF
his fitness for the place; that among this
number are many men Of high attainments
and large congressional experience; that
owing TO the vast and varied interests de-
manding the attention Of congress II Is alb.
solutely necessary that all proposed legis'
lation receive careful scrutiny and considera-
tion by various great committees OF that
body. For instance, all matters respecting
the judicial department and related legisla'
tion must be considered by the judiciary
committees Of the house and senate before
they are considered by either body. All leg
islation directly affecting the farmers must
first be submitted to the agricultural com.
mittees of congress, Colonel Haskins being
q prominent member Of the house committee
on agriculture.
As there are many members OF each one
Of these committees II will be at once ap-
parent that experience and knowledge OF
parliamentary procedure are almost indis-
pensable to success. New members Of the
house are invariably put on the least desir'
able committees and kept there until they
have demonstrated their capacity and ft.
ness for some other assignment. This prac-
tice is founded in reason, and the best re-
suits are thereby obtained After a bill has
been thoroughly considered in committee
and reported to the house. some one on the
committee must have charge Of 1t on the
floor Of the house a.d be prepared to run
the gauntlet OF criticism and attack which
| is almost sure to follow. new and mex
perienced member would be utterly helpless
| in such a situation.
| might give many additional reasons why
experience, backed by integrity and ability.
counts in the house, but this letter would
be much too long II should do so.
| Colonel Haskins has, by his kindly and
courteous demesnor, splendid abilities. close
and conscientious attention to, duty, good
| judgment and conservatism, taken high rank
in the house. His judgment is relied upon
by his colleagues, and he is well liked in all
the departments. Speaker Cannon has given
him fine positions on important committees.
and l hear nothing but praise concerning his
work in those committees.
| In my opinion, it will be a serious mis-.
take for the second district to retire Colonel
Haskins, and put in his place an inexper.
fenced and untried man.
| This letter is not written at the request
of any one, but is simply an expression Of
my own convictions.